Three Things I Like: Maria Rodriguez

Yesterday I shared 18 cards from my Holiday One-for One Swap.  What a joy it was to share a slice of the beautiful cards I received during the swap!  I am so happy you were able to view them and enjoy them.  For each card swap, I like to share a couple of projects that stand out in the crowd (there are so many great ones to choose from!) and share three things I like about each.

Maria Rodriguez participated in the very first One-for-One Swap I hosted three years ago – and she’s participated in every one since.  Her cards are always beautifully over-the-top as she showcases her watercoloring skills and cardmaking artistry.  The card she submitted for this swap is no exception.  Check out her stair-step card with lots of beautiful images from Holiday Home:

Holiday One-for-One Card Swap, Stampin' Up!, by Maria RodriguezBefore I share the things I really like about Maria’s card, here’s a view of the side:

Holiday One-for-One Card Swap, Stampin' Up!, by Maria RodriguezHere are the three things I like most about Maria’s card (that’s right!  I’ve narrowed it down to three):

  • Intricate details.  This stair step card is all about the details.  Without Maria’s keen eye for detail, the card might be ineffective.  There are three homes in this stamp set – and each of them is represented twice here.  You’d never know that if you weren’t looking for it!  Maria made sure the homes (although might have been created from the same blueprints) have their own look and appeal.
  • Color Choices.  At a quick glance, it’s obvious that this is a Christmas card – Santa is paying a visit, and the homes are gloriously adorned with trees and wreaths.  At the same time, the primary color of the card is blue – not green and or red.  I love that, Maria!
  • Sponging.  I wish my picture had come out a bit better so you could see Maria’s amazing sponging on this card.  Each panel is sponged a little bit more than the one in front, building depth as your eye follows the card back.  That takes amazing patience.

I will be sharing more swaps this coming week.  Be on the lookout!  In the meantime, please be sure to leave a comment for Maria to let her know how much you love her project above!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

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60 Comments

  1. stunning detail indeed! beautiful card Maria – more like art than a greeting card – tfs Brian.

  2. Perfect balance! Beautiful card! Excellent work, Maria!

  3. Maria, this card is over the top beautiful. WOW! You certainly put a lot of time & effort into this card & it shows. Just gorgeous!

  4. How beautiful is that card!! I am in awe!!

  5. I would love to see how she made this card it is simply over the top.

  6. Dear Maria, I’m happy you bought that set – it is perfect to show how wonderful and lovely you colour things on your cards ! I love it , and you know it ;).

  7. Absolutely gorgeous!

  8. This card is amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. Your card plus Brian’s comments are so helpful!! I can’t wait to make it!

  9. I would appreciate measurement for cardstock and scoring.
    Thank you.

    • Hello Louise: I made this card on a 4″x5 1/2″ card base, the measurements were adjusted to fit it. You can Google “stair step cards” and you will find lots of videos with dimensions for this card. I got mine from Splitcoaststampers, they also have great tutorials there.
      Thank you for your kind words, I truly appreciate them.

  10. Brian, I’m so happy that you chose to highlight Maria’s card. This is simply fabulous. The details are outstanding as usual in her cards. From her prior comments, it is easy to tell that she is also very gracious and kind. From a former Hoosier to another, a big congrats.

  11. Truly a work of art! I love the colors and layout! Thank you, Brian, for sharing all these beautiful cards!

  12. Wow beautiful, that so pretty and lovely, great job !!!!
    Tfs
    Hugs Frenchie,

  13. Maria, I have been reading your well thought-out and positive comments that you leave on people’s blogs for a long time and now it is your turn to receive the kudos. You are such a talented woman and this card shows your creativity and expertise in executing this gorgeous Christmas card. Beautiful work and such a labor of love. Congratulations on being highlighted on Brian’s blog today.

  14. All the previous comments say it perfectly about your card. The only thing I can add is wowzer!

  15. Oh Brian, thank you so much for posting my card today and for your beautiful words about it. I had such a fun time making it, this stamp set is simply amazing. I wanted to use all the Christmas little stamps in it so that’s when I decided to do a stair step card and make it look like there was a “street” behind the rows of little houses. I love the Santa stamp with it’s little Reindeers, it’s so flexible that you can stamp it any which way you want to. This set is truly awesome!!!!!
    Thank you all for your kind comments, I truly love this craft, I love participating in Brian’s cards swaps because he gives us the opportunity to share with others what we love. 🙂

  16. Maria, your card is even more stunning in person!! I am the very lucky recipient of this gorgeous card from the swap. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened the envelope and there was a Maria card. So amazing in detail. But not too busy and cluttered. Each little lantern is glowing, each little front door is different. This card is truly a work of love, Maria, and I will treasure it for years. Thank you and Merry Christmas!

    • Hello there, Barbara M. I’m so happy you received my card, it certainly was a joy to make, lots of fun too. This little images are so incredibly detailed in this set, which makes it very versatile as well as beautiful. There is a really great video tutorial at Splitcoaststampers.com, with pictures, dimensions too. Or you can also Google “stair step cards” and you will find lots of videos on how to make them. I made this card on a 4″x5 1/2″ blank card, I just adjusted the dimensions on the tutorial to fit it, the scoring was the same.
      Again, thank you for your compliments, what an honor to have this card in your home for the Holidays!! 🙂

  17. Absolutely stunning ! Maria does beautiful cards and her coloring is always perfect .
    As you know ,Brian…I have been pushing my friend to get her own blog ! She does such outstanding cards and could teach how she colors so beautifully .
    When she told me she was doing Holiday Home for her entry I knew it would be over the top with her artistic ability !
    Love it ! Love it ! Please do one for my Xmas card Maria !!!

  18. Oh, I might mention that Maria has been working on calendars for her friends (I am saving mine for Xmas morning ) I can`t imagine how beautiful it is !
    Thank you ,Brian for showing this lady`s talent !

  19. Stunning. I’d follow a Blog of Maria’s. 🙂

  20. Maria, what a beautiful card. Thank you for sharing your talent in the swap, and thank you Brian for highlighting this work of art with all of us.

  21. Oh Maria, Oh Maria, Oh Maria – this card is nothing short of spectacular. If I were to receive it, it would be at the top of my Christmas card tree for sure. Just an amazing job. Thank you for sharing your talents.

  22. What a gorgeous card. Such a great job with color and detail!

  23. Absolutely beautiful. A true labor of love. Your love of our craft really shows in this amazing creation, Maria. Thanks to Brian for sharing this work of art with us.

  24. Stunning card, Maria! I am in awe of your well thought out process. I love this set as well, but you have taken it to an entirely new level. You can tell how much you love this craft; every little detail has been thought and put into this card. Brian, thanks for sharing such a beautiful creation! And thank you also Brian, for hosting such a wonderful swap! Can’t wait to get my card in the mail…

  25. Amazing card! Thanks for sharing it. The detail is awesome!

  26. Wow! Each of the houses are so unique! This card is an amazing showcase of your talent, and I love all the little details (it’s ALL in the details! ). You must have had a zen like time creating this card, it’s so serene and lovely. I certainly appreciate the time, care and love you put in to make this beauty!

  27. Hi Maria, this card is crazy awesome! I keep looking at it and seeing different details! Wow! Brian was right to showcase your card…so thought out and so beautiful! I believe a card from you would be highly treasured!! Jane

  28. Maria’s cards are beyond crafty, they are works of art. I was lucky enought to receive one of her cards during a swap you hosted and we have been exchanging cards ever since. I have received many works of beauty from her and today’s card is no exception, it’s lovely. Thanks for sharing another Maria Masterpiece!

  29. Beyond amazing!!!!

  30. Maria, Maria, Maria… Your cards are always soooo beautiful. What a wonderful idea to use the stair step card with with homes. You’ve made a beautiful village that Santa has just visited! This is a masterpiece! Thank you for sharing her card Brian.

  31. Dear friends on Brian’s blog: I’m beyond overwhelmed and joyful for all of your kind and amazing thoughts, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I truly love this craft, I’ve been making cards for sometime now and every day, I love this more and more.
    I’ve honestly been trying to set up a blog but, being from the Baby Boom generation, it’s hard to actually sit down and do this, I’m not ashamed to say, I just plain do not understand the process, unless there is someone from the younger generation to guide me along. I would love to be able to share this craft I love on a more open basis. I must thank Patti Willey, Brian King, Mary Fish, Susan Itell and Kelly De Tommaso for posting on their blogs the cards I’ve sent them from time to time. I love participating on Brian’s card swaps, this is how I met my dearest friends Sonny, Patti, Traci, Anita, Lisa with whom I exchange cards monthly.
    I’m truly humbled and grateful to all of you who are leaving this wonderful and warm comments for me to read today, I feel very much appreciated by all of you.
    Mr. Brian King, you are a gem. Love you lots.

  32. A work of art!!

  33. Maria, you just hit a grand-slam, out the park!!! Looking forward to “case” this card and giving you all the credit!

  34. Thank you, Maria.
    If you get a blog for your lovely art, I how I am first to sign up for it!

  35. What a beautifully creative card, kudos to Maria.

  36. So beautiful! Love all the houses and amazing color!

  37. Maria, your card is amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Whoever receives it, should you decide to gift it, will treasure it I’m sure. Thanks so much for sharing, wise choice Brian.

  38. Maria, you did an awesome job on your card. It is truly beautiful and a work of art. I definitely understand your delay in getting a blog going. To me it seems like a daunting task, but I’m sure all of us would like to see your work more often. Perhaps you can get someone who understands blogging to help you. The world deserves to be inspired by your wonderful creativity and love of cardmaking.

  39. girl, you got mad skills!

  40. Maria’s card is over the top. She is a very talented artist. I am blessed to call Maria my friend. I swap cards with her monthly and each and every one of them is a piece of art. Barbara M how lucky you are to receive Maria’s card. Cherish it. Thank You Brian for showcasing Maria’s card for all to see.

  41. Maria, you have been an inspiration for me to achieve anything even similar inwatercoloring. Thank you so much for sharing with Brian and thank you Brian for showcasing Maria’s card.

  42. This is absolutely amazing, Maria!! This is the most beautiful card I’ve seen made with this stamp set, and you deserve big kudos for it! I do hope you can get some help getting a blog going because I would so love to see ALL of your creations. Merry Christmas!

  43. Maria, the card is great. I love reading your posts on the blogs I follow too!

  44. Gorgeous card – you knocked the side step card out of the park!

  45. Looks like a story book illustration. Amazing detail. Love this card!

  46. Beautiful card, Maria! It’s a Christmas gift in itself! Thanks to Brian for sharing it with all of us.

  47. Just beautiful. Another idea for the books.

  48. Maria, you have created such a beautiful scene on your card! All the attention you devoted to the smallest details (like the halos around each street light!) is amazing — thank you so much for sharing your love of card making with us! I am looking forward to seeing your future creations!

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