A Gift from the Heart - Magnolia-licious June Inspiration Challenge

Hello!
Since today is the 4th Tuesday of the month, it's time for a new inspiration challenge at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog.  Here's what I created for my DT project.

This is actually a mini easel card--this is the card front...

which I've mounted on top of a box--decorating it into a gift box.  In keeping with the brown theme, I was going to fill with with chocolate hearts, but I couldn't find any at this time of year--may have to wait until Valentine's Day...LOL.

This project was inspired by this picture that Katie--she's our hostess for the month of June--has chosen for the inspiration challenge. 

When I look at this picture, I see a lot of browns, white, feathers, window.  It took me a while..LOL..to figure out that this is a bride in her wedding gown, so add love and romance to the mix.  So I've tried to include all those things into my project.   

I hope you will join us in our challenge.  For more inspirations, hop over the the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog HERE and have a look at my DT teammates' fabulous cards/projects.  For the prize, Diana is offering a $25 Gift Certificate for a shopping spree at her on-line store Magnolia-licious. 

The Magnolia images I have used here is of Tilda With Cozy Heart from the Sweet Crazy Love Collection 2012 and the Romantic Window from the Your Are So Special Collection 2011.  I've used my markers to colour them. 

For your source of Magnolia stamps check out Magnolia-licious.  Diana has an excellent selection of both the full size and mini images.  Don't overlook the dies--a selection of Memory Box, PoppyStamps, Magnolia Doohickey, Marianne Design and Cheery Lynn--and they are discounted 5%-10%.  For a bonus, you also get 2% store credit that you can apply on future orders.  How cool is that!   

This is what the inside of the easel card looks like...  The sentiment is computer generated.  I've never decorated with feathers before, but decided to add them because they're featured in the photo.  I'm not really sure if I like them or not...hmmm...

Challenges for this gift box:
ABC Challenge - R for Romance
Simon Says Stamps! Challenge - Anything But a Card
Crafts and Me Challenge #89 - Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge #35 - Anything Goes
Divas By Design Challenge #40 - To 'die' for
Stampin' for the Weekend Challenge #12 - Show us your style!
Allsorts Challenge Week #160 - Dies to Die For
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #15 - Coffee & Cream
PaperPlay Challenges Week #25 - Use a Die
Lovely hAnglar or Sweet Magnolia Challenge #46 - Easel Card
Everybody-Art-Challenge #199 - Monochromatic Brown


Thanks for stopping by.  Your visit is very much appreciated.  Have a wonderful week!


Materials and Tools Used:

DP's:  Simple Stories Generation Paper Pad; Recollections Brown Plaid
Dies:  Spellbinders Labels Twenty-Two, Labels Twenty  and Petite Ovals; CC Design Leafy Branch
Punches:  Martha Stewart punch set Eyelet Lace; EK Success medium Retro Flower; Nellie Snellen Jumbo Rose Leaves
Miscellaneous:  Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pads Vintage Photo and Walnut Stain; feathers from Michaels; pearls and wooden plug from my stash
Medium:  Letraset Promarkers and Pantone Tria markers

- face and skin—blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla, oatmeal, pastel pink

- hair and shoes—burnt sienna ,caramel, sandstone

- dress—warm grey 5, cool grey 2

- heart and windows—umber, burnt sienna, cinnamon, tan, warm grey5, cool greys 1&2

- brick wall—caramel, sandstone, cool grey 4, pastel beige, warm grey 5

- roses—vanilla

- leaves—olive green, marsh green

Miss Muu Muu Mooved Me

Hello.
A bit of alliteration in the posting title there...LOL, but have to wait for Miss Muu Muu--am showing the card front first...

I've just finished this card.  I've made a gate fold card--haven't created one for quite a while now.

On the card front, I've featured the adorable Tilda With Magnolia Branch.  I've coloured her and the other images for this card with my Letraset Promarkers and Tria markers. 


The windows were made using the PoppyStamps Small Madison Window die.  For the ornamental design above the windows, I used a Spellbinder Fancy Tag Three die which I cut in half.

LOL, I've been surfing the internet looking for pictures of cows to get an idea of how to colour the image.  I like the look of a heifer cow so that's how I've coloured Little Miss Muu Muu.

The background scenery is the Barbed Wire Fence image which I've stamped twice after masking the cow image first.  The sentiments are computer generated.

The stamps for all the images I've used are from Magnolia's Summer Memories Collection 2012.  They are all available from Magnolia-licious on-line store.  Diana is also giving a 12% discount and you will also be earning a 2% Store Credit to be applied on future purchases. How cool is that!
Beside the window die I used here and other PoppyStamps dies, she also carries Memory Box and Magnolia Doohickey cutting dies.  Check them out!  


Challenges I am entering with this card:
Creatalicious Challenge #35 - Anything Goes
Simply Magnolia - Garden Blooms
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #168 - Fabulous Folds
Crafts and Me Challenge #89- Anything Goes
Divas By Design Challenge #40 - To "die" for
Tuesday Throwdown Challenge #103 - Window Cards
Craft Your Passion Challenge #115 - Flips & Folds

That's all for now.  Thanks for taking the time to drop by.  I always appreciate you visit and your comments. Enjoy your day!


Materials and Tools Used:
DP's: from Recollections Graceful paper pad; from me&my BIG ideas paper pad
Dies:  PoppyStamps Small Madison Window and Honeysuckle Vine; Spellbinders Fancy Tags Three and Posy Patch
Punches:  EK Success medium and small Retro Flower; Nellie Snellen Extra Large Leaf and Jumbo Rose Leaves; Martha Stewart Grass Edge and 3-in-1 Hydrangea; Michaels mini star
Miscellaneous: Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pad Frayed Burlap and Victorian Velvet; pearls and acetate sheet from my stash   

Magnolia-licious June Colour Challenge

Happy Tuesday!  It's the 2nd one in June, so... it's time for the new monthly colour challenge at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog.  Here's what I came up with for my DT card...  

Katie is our hostess for this month.  The colours that she has chosen for the challenge are:  pink, orange, green and white.  

I hope you will play along with us in our colour challenge.  There is $25 Gift Certificate from Magnolia-licious for a random prize.  My DT teammates have created fabulous cards to further inspire you--have a look at the challenge blog HERE.  

I am featuring this adorable Rose Garden Tilda from the new Summer Memories Collection 2012 from Magnolia.  I've done the colouring of the images for this card with my Letraset markers (list below). 

Challenges that I am entering with this card: 

Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge #64 - Swirls and Flourishes  

Truly Scrumptious LAST Challenge #82 - Flower Power

Creatlalicious Challenge #34 - Bingo Board (flowers, ribbon, use 3 punches) 

Allsorts Challenge Week #158 - Ice Cream Colours

Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge 14 - Photo Inspiration

Crafty Calendar Challenge June - Flowers in Bloom

Bunny Zoe's Crafts Challenge 15 - Girls, girls, girls

Fashionista Challenge - Simply Summer

Passion for Promarkers Week 153 - Lots of Layers

Here's how I've decorated the inside of my card...

This sitting Tilda is Tilda With Ponytail and she is from the Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011.  The stamps for the images I have used here are available from Magnolia-licious on-line store.  Diana has large selection of both full-size and mini stamps.  She also carries other crafting tools including cutting dies from Magnolia,  Memory Box and PoppyStamps.  

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. I'm very appreciative of your visit and all your lovely and encouraging comments--love reading them. Enjoy your day and happy creating!

Materials and Tools Used:

DP's:  3 papers from Recollections Garden Florals paper pad 

Dies:  Spellbinders Labels Fourteen and Posy Patch; Marianne Design Creatables Ribbon Border LR0101 and Swirls LR0116

Punches:  EK Success medium Retro Flower, Nellie Snellen Extra Large Leaf and Rose Leaves Jumbo

Miscellaneous:  Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pad Frayed Burlap, pearls and ribbon from my stash

Medium:  Leteraset Promarkers and Tria markers

- face and skin--blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla, oatmeal, pastel pink

- hair and shoes--burnt sienna, cinnamon, tan

- blouse--702-T, 701-T, 182-T, 698-T    

- pants and leaves--forest green, apple, meadow green

- roses--raw sienna, honeycomb, apricot

- background--5503-T, 5507-T, 5527-T

Hello From The Heart - Sweet Stamping Pixies June Challenge

Hello.

Today is the 2nd Monday of the new month of June, so it's time for a new challenge at the Sweet Stamping Pixies.  The theme for this month is SUMMER.  Here's the card that I've created.  

I went with summer colours for the theme because I don't have any summer fairies/pixies.  And this beautiful fairy image that I am using is actually called Spring Bringer.  She is one of Silvia Zet's creations, from a Whimsy Stamps stamp bought from All That Scraps.

I've coloured the image with my markers.  I've also added some glitter to her wings. 

I hope you can play along with us in our challenge.  To give you more inspirations, have a look the fabulous cards that my DT teamates have created HERE--check out the prize too.  And you have an entire month to join us!!!  

As for me, I am using this card as my entry into the following challenges:  

Crafting Life's Pieces June Challenge - sketch

Let's Ink It Up June Challenge - Use your favorite embellishments (flowers and pearls)

All That Scraps - Anything Goes

Crafts and Me Challenge #87 - Lace

Crafter's Companion Monthly Challenge #25 - Time to Embellish

Pretty Little Ribbon Shop June Challenge #11 - Lots of Layers 

Whimsy Stamps Inspirations Challenge 42 - Things With Wings

Crafty Catz Challenge #136 - Summer Time

Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #167 - Fairy Fever

Fashionista Challenge - Simply Summer 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always appreciate your visit.  And I do enjoy reading your lovely and encouraging comments. Have a wonderful week!!! 

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiment Stamp: from JustRite 'A Warm Hello' stamp set

DP's: Basic Grey June Bug Orchard; from Recollections Graceful paper pad; from me& my BIG ideas Fashion District paper pad

Dies: Spellbinders Labels Nine, Standard Circles and Rose Creations; CC Design Leafy Branch; Cheery Lynn Design Mini Exotic Butterfly 

Punches: EK Success medium and small Retro Flower; Nellie Snellen Extra Large Leaf and Rose Leaves Jumbo

Miscellaneous: Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pads Walnut Stain and Spiced Marmalade; pearls and lace from my stash  

Medium:  Letraset Promarkers and Tria markers

- face and skin--blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla, oatmeal, pastel pink

- hair--umber, cinnamon, tan

- blouse and pants--spice, honeycomb; apricot, oatmeal

- dress--gold, mustard, 120-T, 1205-T

- wings--denim blue, cool aqua, pastel green, 264-T, 263-T, 1205-T

- flowers--crimson, antique pink, burnt orange, ginger 

- leaves--forest green, olive green

- ground--sandstone

- background--5503-T, 5507-T, 5527-T

O happy happy day!

Hello.  Just a quick posting to show this latest card.   Only the front though, as I haven't quite finished the inside yet...LOL. 

The image I am using is of Tilda Playing Hopscotch.  She is from Magnolia's Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011.  This is only the second time I've used her on a card, but I think I will be using her more because if you alter the original image, as I did here by removing the hopscotch pattern underneath, then she is quite versatile.  I can use this card for various occasions--schools out, birthday, congratulations, retirement...  

I have used my Letraset Promarkers to colour the image.

*****

Edited:  Annika has a fabulous video tutorial on how to colour skies. Click HERE to see.  

And FYI, I don't do tutorials on colouring because I am not certified so I don't feel I am qualified to teach on how to colour.  I learn by watching other people's tutorials too...LOL--I leave it to them to teach me.  If you google there are tons of colouring tutorials out there already, but if you are looking for a fabulous site, check out Zoe's challenge blog Make 'it' Colourful.  
I saw Chris' card there and loved the way she did her grass, so I was trying to do it the same way, but I have a loooooong way to go to make mine looks like hers.  More practices!!!      


I have also now finished the inside of my card, woo-hoo.  This is what it looks like...

I have used another Magnolia image here.  This one is called Big Snail from the Fairytale Collection 2010.  Check out Magnolia-licious for your source of Magnolia stamps.  Diana has a large selection of full-size and mini stamps, as well as gorgeous cutting dies from Memory Box and PoppyStamps.    
*****

Challenges I am entering with this card:
Sketchy Colors Challenge #120 - Sketch
Totally Tilda Challenge #48 - Clouds
TOMIC Challenge #53 - Anything Goes
7 Kids College Fund Challenge #49 - Schools Out For The Summer!
Midweek Magnolias Week #14 - Anything Goes

That's all for now.  Short and sweet...LOL.  Thanks for dropping by.  I always appreciate your visit and very much love reading your comments. Have a wonderful weekend!!!


Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiment Stamp:  from JustRite stamp set

DP's:  Scenic Route Paper Co. Stoked Stripe; Recollections Batiked My Interest Mango; Chatter Box Tangerine Gingham

Dies:  Cheery Lynn Design Doily DL103 and Lace Corner Deco B; Spellbinders Rose Creations; Joy! Crafts branch

Punches:  Martha Stewart edge punch and rose leaf; Nellie Snellen extra large leaf;  EK Success medium Retro Flower; Punch Bunch small daisy

Miscellaneous:  Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pad Vintage Photo; pearls from my stash

Medium:  Letraset Promarkers and Tria marker
- face and skin--blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla, oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and shoes--burnt sienna, caramel, sandstone 
- dress and socks--terracotta, spice, honeycomb, ginter, apricot
- cloudy sky--cobalt blue, powder blue, cool greys 1 and 3 
- grassy field--marsh green, moss, olive green, forest green, holly, burgundy, 617-T

Swing Card With A Shaped Swing/Centre Panel Tutorial

Hello!

Your basic swing card has a swing/centre panel that is usually either square or rectanglar.  This tutorial is a for a swing card that has a shaped swing/centre panel.  Please note that this is customized for a 'finished' 6-inch (15cm) square card, since that is my favorite card size.  By 'finished' I mean when the card is folded up.

The shaped swing/centre panel can actually be created easily by cutting it out by hand using your kraft knife and/or scissor, but I am going to show you how to use your shape dies (eg. Spellbinders Nestabilities, Go Kreate dies, etc.) and your die-cutting machine (eg. Big Shot, Cuttlebug, etc.).

The card below (posted HERE previously) is the end result of this tutorial, so I am just going to list the steps to create this card.

Materials and Tools:
- 6" x 10" (15cm x 25cm) cardstock
- 5 7/8" x 9 7/8" (14.7cm x 24.7cm) designer paper (NOT designer cardstock--too thick)
- a shape die for the centre panel--this has to be less than 6" wide (your card size)
- die-cutting machine
- removable tape
- coloured images, sentiments, embellishments, etc. to decorate the card

For this card, I am using the Spellbinders Grand Labels Ten die--the 2nd smallest size in the set.

Step 1
On your cardstock, draw vertical lines with your pencil at 3 7/8" and 6 1/8" (9.7cm and 15.3cm).

Step 2
Take your designer paper and cut out your centre panel EXACTLY in centre with your die. I usually like to draw a criss cross on the paper to better centre the die.  Put aside the die cut for decorating the swing panel later on.

Step 3

Apply glue to the back of your designer paper.

Step 4
Glue your designer paper in place onto your cardstock.

Step 5
Reposition your die over the previously cut hole on the designer paper and tape in place with removable tape.  Make sure this is really secure so it doesn't move when you run it through your die-cutting machine.

Step 6
Line up the edge of your cutting pad with one of the pencil-drawn lines.

Step 7
Secure the back of your card to the cutting pad with removable tape.

Step 8
Take your other cutting pad, place it underneath your card.  Now your card is sandwiched between the 2 cutting pads.

Step 9
Run the 'sandwich' through your die-cutting machine--the one I am using here is the Big Shot Machine.  Obviously...LOL.

Please note:  This is how I do my die-cutting and NOT as per instructions that comes with the machine.  Their instructions are to place the die first with the die blades facing up and then paper on top of that.  My way is to place the paper first and then the die on top with the die blades facing down.  I find that my cutting pad stays flat this way and do not curl up.

Step 10
You will see that now you have a partially cut shape like the picture below.  Only the area of the die that was under the top cutting pad is cut--the rest is left untouched.
Repeat Steps 6 - 9 with the other side/end of you card.

Step 11
Place your card upside down on your scoreboard and score at 4" (10cm).

Step 12
Turn your card right side up and score at 6" (15cm).

Step 13
Mountain fold and valley fold along the score lines.

Step 14
Take the die cut that you have put aside and glue it in place as shown below.
Optional:  I like to have a thin border around my die cuts, so I usually take my scissor and cut off about 1/16" all the way around the die cuts.  Sorry, but yes, you have to do this by hand...sigh.

Step 15
And there you have the base of your card.  Now you can finish decorating it with your coloured images, sentiments and embellishments.

Have fun with this and happy creating!!!

I did this one using the Spellbinders Grand Labels Four dies.

1st Christmas Card for the Year

Hello.

Woo-hoo...finally!  I have finished a Christmas card.  This is my first one for the year!!!  Yikes, I am sooo... behind schedule--I'm ashamed of myself.

I've used my markers to colour the images for this card.  This cutie pie is called Tilda With Snow Heart from Magnolia's Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection 2011.

This is another swing card that I have made with a shaped swing/centre panel.  I have used the Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven here.
 

The first swing card with a shaped swing/centre panel I made was a couple of postings ago, or HERE.  For that one I used a different shaped die.  This card is actually the result of a tutorial I am working on, as a couple of people have asked me to do one--I am happy to do it.  The tute is on cutting the shape using your die-cutting machine--not by hand.  I am still working on writing the step-by-step instructions and still have the cropping of the pictures to do.  Come back if you are interested later on--most likely tomorrow...LOL.  

Edited:  I've finished my tutorial now.  To see it, click HERE.   

This adorable gal is called Winter Tilda from the same Magnolia collection as the one above is from.  

Check out Diana's on-line store Magnolia-licious for your source of Magnolia stamps.  Diana has a large selection of both full-size and mini stamps.    

Challenges for this card:
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge #166 - Photo Inspiration (lots of blues)
Let's Ink It Up Challenge #24 - Use your favorite embellishments (handmade flowers/snowflakes, pearls)
Fussy and Fancy Friday Week #64 - Swirls and Flourishes
Just Magnolia and hAnglar & sTanglar Week 159 - Anything Goes
Charisma Cardz Week #21 - Bling
Oldie but A Goodie Challenge - Anything Goes (the ChatterBox DP is discontinued, so it's very old)
Hooked on Craft Challenge #22 - All That Glitters
Deep Ocean Challenge #26 - Swirls

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.  I'm very appreciative of your visit and your lovely comments.  Have a wonderful week!

Materials and Tools Used:

Sentiment Stamp:  Inkadinkado 'Joy, Peace, Love Mini' clear stamp
DP:  ChatterBox Denim Tweed
Dies:  Spellbinders Grand Labels Eleven, Classic Ovals Grommet Tags; Crealis Creative Flowers No. 18; Magnolia Doohickey Swirl
Miscellaneous:  Tim Holtz distress ink stamp pad Walnut Stainand Faded Jean; pearls, blings/rhinestones, glitter from my stash. 
Medium:  Letraset Promarkers and Tria Markers
- face and skin--blush, coral, soft peach, vanilla, oatmeal, pastel pink
- hair and boots--(1st Tilda) walnut, terracotta, spice, apricot, (2nd Tilda) umber, cinnamon, tan
- blue clothing-- midnight blue, cornflower, denim blue, powder blue
- green clothing--olive green, marsh green, moss, 617-T
- background--5503-T, 5507-T, 5527-T
- ground--cool grey 1 & 3, warm grey 5