Welcome To My Blog

Welcome to my home in cyberspace. I enjoy making handmade greeting cards these days. Being in the same boat as quite a number of other Americans, being laid off, I found a fun way to keep myself busy. Besides making just greeting cards, I discovered the art of quilling. It's a lovely art form, and I've applied it to more then just my greeting cards. I've created signs, gift boxes, earrings, necklaces, and a whole bunch of keepsake items. I sell a lot of what I make at Etsy. So, if you'd like a beautiful keepsake card or gift for a special someone, check out my Etsy site at RyansFineDesigns.etsy.com. My cards are of heirloom quality, and you may even like to frame them.

I'm also giving lessons. So, if you're around the Des Moines, Iowa area, sap me an e-mail, and I'll let you know all about it. Otherwise, take a look at some of my designs and just enjoy yourself while you're there. I am continually adding new cards and gift items. So you may like to come back at a later date if you don't see something you need today. Just bookmark my Etsy site. Thanks. Have a great day!

Some of my Quilled Greeting Cards & Keepsake Gifts

Friday, December 10, 2010

More Christmas Cards

More Christmas and Valentine's Day Cards. First picture is my display I have at the little grocery store here in our small town. Even though it's a small town, my sales are pretty good. I was surprised. Maybe the fact they are sitting right on the counter where people pay helps a little...lol.

card display

My sign on my display.

card display sentiment

I quilled a candle and a couple of poinsetta's to set it off on the Christmas card below.

Candle card side view

Here's a side view:

candle card side

Inside view
candle card inside

I added a couple of silver photo corners to the sticker on the back to dress it up a little. I'm not sure if I like it. I like it, but I don't want it to be so overwhelming. So, I only did it on this particular card.

Candle card


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Below is my little St. Valentine lady.

st valentines front

Here is a side and back view together.

st valentines front 1

A simple sentiment again. Happy Valentine's Day.

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Here's a close up of the quilled flowers.

st valentines flowers

New Christmas & Valentines Day Cards

I've made a number of new greeting cards. They are going to be for sale at a store that carries my hand quilled items. A store right here in this little town I live in. Very nice. Any way, I thought I would put some of them up here for your viewing pleasure...lol. Sounds corny. I guess it is. Anyway...comments would be nice. Thanks. Click on the image you would like to view larger, and it'll take you to my page at Photobucket where I have my images stored.

The first one below is Santa Claus at the Mall. Well, he's on a break. Doesn't it seem like every time you go to visit Santa at the Mall, he's on a break? The Chair, Trees, and Presents, that are all sitting on a blanket of snow, is one sticker. I'm sorry, I forgot the name brand of these stickers, but I can tell you that I purchased them at a scrapbook store. The sign was also included in the sticker package, but it was separate, along with a few others (which aren't on this card).

santa claus front


Here is a side view
santa clause side view


I've quilled a little Mouse in a Christmas Stocking. He's peeking out of the Stocking just waiting for Santa to take his break so he can swipe his cookies...lol.

Here is a close up of the mouse.
santa clause mouse


Inside the sentiment simply reads, 'Merry Christmas'.
No, I wasn't afraid to say it...lol.
santa claus inside


I embellished the sentiment with a rub-on star.
I used my printer to print all the sentiments on my Christmas Cards. Looks nice and professional this way.


This is the back of the card. I always hand stamp 'Hand Made With Love' or 'Designed by' on the back of all my cards. Then add a sticker with my information underneath. If anyone would like a custom card or keepsake gift, they can easily get a hold of me this way.

santa claus back



My Valentine's Day Couple
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Here is a close up of the tulips

st valentine tulip couple

Inside view. I added a vellum insert in this card.

valentine tulip couple 1 valentine tulip couple

I used two stamps for the sentiment. A heart stamp, in which I used a traditional red color on, and the traditional "Happy Valentine" sentiment.
valentine tulip couple inside

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My Copyright Information

I have created this blog to share the wonderful art of Quilling, otherwise known as Paper Filligree, with all of you. I will also be sharing with you my acrylic artwork, and anything else that is related to quilling or paintings. I will share my ideas, free patterns that I want you to use and modify to create your own personal works of art! I will also be giving instructions on some of my work I will be posting here. I'll be sharing as much as possible. There is no charge. If you are only making a few items, then you should also feel free to use what you find here. I only ask that you credit me with the following information: Created by Marianne Ryan, http://www.23rdchild.blogspot.com/


If you have a website or a blog and you would like to use some of this information please let me know and I can add a link back to you. We can do a banner exchange. If you wish to share this information, I ask that you please give me credit for the hard work that I have done by including the following information: Created by Marianne Ryan, http://www.23rdchild.blogspot.com/


If you wish to use the instructions or patterns and include them in a book, or compile them and include them in something that people must pay for, then you must contact me directly by sending me an email. I may periodically update this copyright information. Thank you so much for all your support! Marianne Ryan © Copyright 2010, © Ryan's Fine Designs, 2010, © Designs by Ryan, 2010, © 23rd Child Blogspot, © Ryan's Rants Blogspot.

Monday, November 1, 2010

My Acrylic Paintings

Please visit my Acrylic Paintings Page. Most of them are painting I have done using acrylics, but there is some with watercolor too. Although I like acrylic medium better to work with. Let me know what you think!

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