Stampelicious

Cheeky kids in Tilda Shirts...

2012-01-22T21:28:00.004-06:00

I finally got some time to take pictures of the girls in their new shirts. I have used #259 Kneeling Tilda. I thought this image was perfect for the girls. Following my pictures is a copy of a post I found on I Like Markers blog. Her information is great....

AS always, Josslyn is wearing the green shirt and Brielle is in pink...

The following is a direct copy of what I found on her blog...

Copic On Fabric
People ask me frequently if you can use Copic markers on fabric. The answer is YES! They look great on fabric. A few things to consider:

1. Red inks will bleed when washed, so either use colors besides red (or brown since it has red in it) or only work on projects that won't be washed.

2. No need to heat-set, the markers are permanent

3. The markers will bleed out as you color with them since fabric is so absorbent. To avoid this just heat up the fabric before coloring and the alcohol will evaporate quicker, causing less bleed.

4. For a fine line you can use Copic Multiliners, however, those do need to be heat-set.

5. Don't airbrush on fabrics, since the dye doesn't soak down into the fibers enough.

6. ALWAYS work with scratch paper under your fabric.

When Stamping on Fabric to be colored with Copics:
Try using Brilliance Ink, Heat-set for best results. Sherrie Siemens has done many projects on fabric with Copic markers, so check out her blog for more examples.

Otherwise, enjoy playing with Copics on fabric! I have a couple pairs of jeans I've drawn on and I love how the markers look.The photo above is from a scrap of white cloth that dyed with Copic inks, then I went in with the colorless blender and added drops and swirls in for texture. I made this about 4 years ago, so I don't know what colors I used, regular cotton fabric (though any fabric works).

Nit Picking......

2012-01-20T18:50:00.005-06:00

Since school began we have had a plague of head lice in our home. We've done everything we know how to rid the children of this besetting plague but have had no success. They've been sent home from school repeatedly and we've even gone to the doctor to get prescription shampoo. I've laundered bedding, clothing and sprayed everything they ever touch to no avail. Wednesday was the last straw! I even got a call from the Speech Therapist the girls see to tell me that they had nits in their hair. I declared war on head lice!

It's been nearly impossible to rid the girls of nits because their hair was so long and curly and really frayed on the ends. It became futile to even try using those blessed nit combs you get with the shampoo. So I took matter into my own hands...

We decided to cut their hair short so that removal of nits would be a simple task! Or so we thought! We took them to two hair cutting places and neither would accept them. They saw nits in their hair and sent us packing. So we brought them home, sat each one in the chair and I cut their hair short. Why, oh why did I struggle so long with this process. I wanted to keep their hair long for their mom, but it was a battle I simply wasn't winning, and I won't be outwitted by a brainless louse!

Here was our process....I cut their hair, we slathered their heads in mayonnaise and covered them with shower caps. They wore that for 2.5 hours. We shampooed their heads and then began the most tedious process of 'nit picking'! Finally after a couple of hours, Bill and I were worn to a frazzle and the girls were exhausted from standing. Jordan's hair was easy! I borrowed clippers from our neighbor and buzzed his hair.

Now, on top of all this work, I washed everything, and I mean everything, in a two hour sanitizer wash and put it through the dryer on Heavy Duty for several spins. Almost nothing has thread left to it.

Last night we sat them under my craft lights again and picked through their hair (the girls, not Jordan because he no longer has much hair). Actually I was quite pleased! Apparently we had done a wonderful job the night before and found only three nits on their hair.

I'm singing "Hallelujah" tonight for sure!!!

So I took some pictures of the "new" do's and they are so cute....

Our handsome dude has the longest eyelashes known to man kind, but a short "do".

This is "the pose"! Aren't these two the cheekiest pair?

But they can be angelic when they try very hard...

Josslyn and Brielle

You can see that Brielle is now 1" taller than Josslyn and weights 1 pound more~

"The Dude" loves his race cars.....

That's it for tonight! I'm almost finished coloring T-shirts for the girls and they will model them tomorrow and I'll post those pictures....

Blessings and hugs,
Barb <><

More Onsies....

2012-01-20T11:27:00.005-06:00

I have had so much fun coloring on fabric. It's not easy to do and I've had one failure, which I'm currently working on to improve.

On none of these three Onsies did the colors run, but maybe a dot, but I'm trying to do some T-shirts for the girls and oh my word! The colors ran like wild pigs!!! I've soaked the bad area in Alcohol and it all came out. Great news! The Memento ink stays right in place.

Anyway, here are the three little Onsies all done up!

This particular Onsie is the very first one I did. I have used #339 Sleeping Baby Tilgla. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out.

Here is a close up view of how she is colored...

And last but not least, here are the two identical Onsies I've made for my friend who is having twins! I'm just thrilled that they turned out so well.

If I can figure out what to do about the bleeding of Copic into the fabric I will be doing a tutorial for you.

Thanks for dropping in to see my latest projects...

Blessings and hugs

Barb <><

Sweet Crazy Love Gate Fold Card

2012-01-17T06:00:00.000-06:00

In keeping with my New Year's Resolution to try out some nifty folds, I've used a Gate Fold for this card, using my trusty Scor-Pal. Everything is marked for you on this awesome tool designed by our very own Diana Crick. It just can't get any easier than using the Scor-Pal. All the guess work is taken out of it. I actually made this card to enter in the January Blog Hop, but after purchasing the Onsie at Hobby Lobby, and deciding that I could stamp and color on fabric if I heat set it, I made the Onsie which is in my previous post...look for a tutorial which will be coming soon!

Here is what the front of my card looks like...

Here I've used some scrap DP from my stash and paired it will some Basic Black. This little cutie is #3022 Love Laces Shoes Tilda. She is available from Diana at the Magnolia-licious shop. All the images I've used here are currently available in standard size and Mini. AND they are on sale for a 17% discount! Now that's a great deal!

I've also used a JustRite "Stitched with Love" circular image and it's all colored with Faber Castell Pencils. I paper pieced Tilda's clothing to match the background paper. I also used a Doohickey Swirl Die which is also available from Diana. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts and the leaves are a Marianne Die.

Here is the card opening up...

The card opens up to reveal three key holes, made using Spellbinders Labels 21. In the center is #280 Tilda Loves Flowers. She is also colored with Faber Castell pencils. On the left I have paired the Magnolia Vintage Key with a computer generated sentiment. On the Right I cut a heart using Spellbinders Classic Heart die and added the little silver heart which is from the center of key. The key was cut from some shiny metallic silver cardstock. I just added a couple of "O" rings to make it into a little charm to hang from my ribbon.

Here is #280 Tilda Loves Flowers up close and personal. I have used Distress Inks tattered rose and weathered wood to shade around Tilda. I used Stardust Stickles along the hem of Tilda's dress and Glossy accents on her shoes. You can't even see the shine on her shoes in these pictures.

Thanks for dropping by...

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Sweet Crazy Love Blog Hop....

2012-01-16T03:00:00.001-06:00

Hi all! Here we go with our very first Blog Hop for 2012! I've seen the projects and I'm telling you these are all "over the top" GORGEOUS!

If you're starting the Blog Hop at my blog you need to go back to the beginning of the Hop, because you don't want to miss a single stop on this Hop. You can pick up the order at Magnolia-licious Highlites Challenge blog. If you've arrived here from Patti Jo's blog you're right on the money! From here you'll hop on over to the incredibly talented Janiel's blog. Put on your sunglasses gals, this hop is going to DAZZLE you and inspire you to try new techniques and projects...

I have made this project because I was inspired by a tutorial I saw earlier this week on Saturated Canary challenge blog. It was about how to print digital images and heat setting them on fabric, and I decided I could stamp an image on the fabric and color it using their techniques.

Many thanks to Paola, my BFF in South Africa for walking me through the process on Skype.

I'm pleased with the way it turned out. Actually I've made two of them, but this particular one is with the Sweet Crazy Love image #3084 Wild Thing Tilda. Diana is out of stock on this image right now (no wonder!) but she has a fabulous collection of this new collection in both the regular and Mini sizes. This collection is truly adorable and each image can be used for a number of different occasions. Many images are on sale over at the Magnolia-licious shop so please go and visit Diana and get your savings immediately!

So here's my project...I have made a Onsie. I stamped the image with Memento Ink and heat set it. Then I used my Copics to color in the image. When I was finished I heat set the image and headed to my sewing machine to add some lace to the neckline and three little pink gingham bows. In this first picture I have dressed my baby doll with the Onsie and used a wee teddy and small blanket for props....

Here is a closer look at the Onsie...the size is a little big for my 'baby', so I had to pull the fabric to the back. I will be making another Onsie identical to this one as these will be going to my friend who is expecting twin girls any day now!

Here's a very close look at how she colored up...

This photo shows the Onsie off the baby. You get a better view of the bows I sewed onto the sleeves from this one...

I always include a photo of my project on an angle. This is as close to an angle as the camera and lighting would allow...

I hope you've enjoyed visiting my blog on your hop today! Don't forget to head on over to Janiel's blog to see her stunning project!

Blessings and hugs...
Barb

Happy Birthday Card with Saturated Canary Image

2012-01-13T15:57:00.009-06:00

Another week has gone by and it's been a very busy one. Today Josslyn is sick with some kind of a tummy bug and can't keep a thing down. She has slept most of the day and my wonderful hubby took Brielle to Burger King to play for a bit, which left me time to finish this card.

I was steered in the direction of Saturated Canary Challenge Blog by Pat Frank. Thank you so much honey for the push in that direction. They are having a DT call, and so I made this card for that, but I'm not going to enter after all. I really have so many irons in the fire right now that there's not the room for one more. I'll catch them on the next round. In the meantime, I've really enjoyed coloring this image. She is called Naveah. I believe I'll be going back grab some more of these adorable whimsical gals. I'm entering this card into the following challenge...

Dream Valley Challenges - Anything goes

So here's what I've been working on...

She is colored with Copic markers (listed below) and I used Distress Ink for the background. I made the charm with beads from my stash.

A closer look at how I colored her...

On the inside....

And the salutation panel...

A closer look at Naveah on the inside...

Here is my card recipe:

CS - Cryogen White, Bazzill white and Taken with Teal (SU)
DP - Melissa Frances 5th Avenue
Distress Inks - weathered wood and tattered rose
Spellbinders Labels 14
Copics - Skin: E0000,00,11 Chalk for cheeks;
Hair - E30, 31; Dress/Socks - BG 10, 72, 70, R81, 83, 85; C00, 01, Stickles; Shoes - E35, 34, 30
Sewing machine and thread
Tulle - stash
Pearls - stash
Sentiments - AmyR

I can't wait to get started on another card...my therapy!!!

I'll see you soon, thanks so much for dropin' by for a visit and sharing your time with me.

Blessings and hugs...
Barb

Gingerbread isnt' just for Christmas....

2012-01-09T05:00:00.001-06:00

Hello, hello, hello sweet friends! I'm glad that you've come back to visit my blog again. I have a new card using a Christmas Tilda but dressed her completely for Valentines. Since she is carrying a basket of hearts I thought a new outfit all in pink would be appropriate! On this card I've used #3067 Gingerbread Tilda from the Christmas 2010 Collection (she is currently available) and combined it with #636 Lace Banner from the Raising the Ceiling 2010 Collection (this image is no longer in stock). Diana over at Magnolia-licious has the best service anywhere and she is offering discounts and in-store credits to help keep your cost down.

Have you made any New Year's Resolutions? I don't normally do that, but this year I decided to give my attention to trying out different folded cards. Although this isn't my first card of the new year, it's my first Criss Cross card and I love how it turned out.

Here is my card - and there is no inside to this card except for the salutation panel which pulls out - well anyway - you'll see from the pictures below.

Doesn't this Tilda look delightful dressed in pink? Here's a closer look at miss Tilda...

I have used the Magnolia Heart Die for the upper part of my salutation panel. Here's what it looks like when you begin to pull it out....

Here is the panel completely removed sitting next to the card...

As you can see, I added a pocket to the salutation panel. I will be putting a gift card for Lowes into it, but for now I have used a Hobby Lobby gift card. Guess who this card will be for?

And as always, one must show an artistic view of your work...

Here are all the ingredients I used to make this card....

Cardstock - SU Cherry Cobbler
Designer paper - Making Memories Love Notes (last years stock)
Spellbinders - Classic Ovals Large and Scalloped
Magnolia Heart border die
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Ribbon and lace - stash
Pearls - stash
Heart pin - stash
Glimmer Mist - Pearl
Rhinestone Brad - SU (stash)
Baker's twine - stash
Distress Inks - weathered wood and tattered rose
Spica Pen - red
Sentiment - Whipper Snapper

Copics - Skin - E0000, 000, 00, 11, chalk for cheeks; Clothing/banner - R81, 83, 85, 0000; Hearts - R46, 14, 21; Shoes - E47, 23, 31; Basket - E35, Y26, 21; Hair C1, 3, 5, 7, 9

Well that's it for today. I love that you come by for a visit, and spread your love on my blog.

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Let's Go To The Hop...

2012-01-06T09:33:00.008-06:00

TGIF! We're almost at the weekend! Jordan started back to school yesterday and the girls go back to Parent's Day Out Tuesday next! Woooo Hoooooo!

I found a little time here and there to make another card. This one is a Maggie and she is #3019 Tilda Playing Hopscotch. She is available over at Magnolia-licious so you can order her right away. Diana has some fantastic sales and offers going on there so please be sure to check them out.

This card was fun to make. It just seemed to flow, though the inside upper panel is still unfinished at this point.

Here is my card front...

There is lots of stitching on this card and I used some older MME paper's that I've had in my stash. I also used some gauze, Vintage Lace die, Swirl die, flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts and some SU ribbon and Spellbinders Labels to gussy up my card.

Here is a closer look at Tilda...

I took two pictures of the card from different angles...just a little different perspective...

On the inside of the card I did something a little different. I used Spellbinders Labels Twenty One with more Swirls, pearls, flowers and more gauze! I really like the way this card turned out. The flowers are sprayed with Pearl Glimmer mist and then a shot of spray on adhesive and a light dusting of glitter.

All I need to do with this card is finish the upper inside panel and we'll call it a day. I have already used the polk-a-dot dp on it, but it just needs a little something more...I'll fiddle with it tonight.

Here's a list of the Copics I used...Skin - E0000, 000, 00, 11, Chalk for cheeks; Hair E27, 30, 34; Dress/socks - B21, 93, 95, 97; Shoes - E47, 34, 31; Shadows - W00, 01, 3 and some Distress Inks behind Tilda - weathered wood and tattered roses.

Thank you everyone for being so faithful to my blog and leaving your wonderful comments. Our first week of 2012 is now behind us and we're looking forward to a VERY good year this year!

Blessings and hugs...
Barb

Magnolia Medley Collection Club

2012-01-03T19:24:00.003-06:00

Have you heard the news? Oh my goodness! We have a new stamp club starting up at Magnolia-licious and it's fabulous!!! You can join for just pennies a month and get a 25% member discount on each new collection that is released! Ladies, this is just phenomenal savings on the images we all love so much. Here is the scoop right from Diana herself.....

"I am very excited to announce something we have been working on for sometime, the "Magnolia-licious Medley Collection Club". The cost is $15.00 a year, only $1.25 a month and the benefits are huge. This is purely to cover the administration cost of the Club. For every new Collection you can purchase a Medley of stamps, similar to the Magnolia Sweden kit but the stamps will be mounted on Ez-Mount. The Club Kit for this Crazy Love Collection contains 12 stamps and retails for $146.38. Your cost as a Club Member is 25% off, $109.79. You will receive special newsletters announcing what is going on at the Club such as special discounts, freebies, contests to name but a few. We have lots of fun planned for the coming year. I hope you will join us and become a Club member before the new year starts, I don't want you to miss out on the fun."

No repeated images from the Sweden club - exceptional value - and tons of fun in store. This is what we've all been waiting for. You want to check this out as soon as possible.

I hope you'll give this exception offer serious consideration! Come join in the fun and sign up soon...

Blessings and hugs
Barb

2012-01-03T05:00:00.000-06:00

Hello blogging friends! I have one more card for your viewing pleasure. I have again used Faber Castell pencils, this one using Mummu from Mo's Digital Pencil. Her digi online shop is chocked full of beautifully drawn images. I hope you will pop over and take a look at all she has to offer.

This is not just a miniature Easel Card, it's also a drawer/box which I had a lot of trouble designing. Let's just say that math is not my strong suit and more paper than I'd like to admit went into file 13!!!

Here is a look at my shaped Easel Card Box...

Here is Mummu up close and personal...you might want to know why I gave Mummu a red petticoat. I needed to tie the color into my dp, but, I had in mind the red petticoat that Rhett Butler gave Mammy in "Gone with the Wind". Somehow I just had to give her a red petticoat and it matches the heart on her skirt.

Here is a side view of the box and you can see that I used a gold rhinestone with a red bead for the drawer pull. It was this box and drawer that gave me such fits. Sheesh! It should be much easier than I tried to make it!

There is a surprise to this box also. The sentiment panel swivels out of the way for a personal message to be written.

Supplies used:

Cardstock - SU Hunter Green, Bazzill White, Cryogen White,
Design Paper - Echo Park Times and Seasons
Faber Castell Polychromos Pencils
Distress Inks - Weathered Wood, Tattered Rose
Spellbinder Labels 14, Labels 21, Lattice Rectangles
Rhinestones - SU
Bead - stash
Sentiment - stash

Thank you for stopping by for a visit today. Your comments always lift my day.

Blessings and hugs
Barb

A little house cleaning in my craft room...

2012-01-02T15:17:00.007-06:00

I have been a busy beaver lately. After a little chat time on Skype with my BFF Paola in South Africa, I was very motivated to do a little revamping of my crafting space. She has posted some pictures of her wonderful new craft studio and if you're interested in seeing it you can check it out here. Everything is rearranged but now I need to get into some of my drawers and start reorganizing the contents of those. Here are a few pictures of my rearranged space...

This is where I sit and watch TV and get creative. On the right hand side you can see I have moved my stacks of DVD cases holding all my Maggies.

Right behind where I sit is my sewing table. I can just wheel my chair around to my sewing machine and work on a sewing project or sew on a card...

To the right hand corner of the room I still have my shelves and ribbons hanging out, my computer and printer, a box of charms. I only lost one short shelf, but I've found good space for everything thing including my beading materials.

This is the door where you walk into my space and now the back table is cleaned off to make space for my cutter and die cutting machines. The CD's stacked on the right hand corner contain all my dies. The big cabinet has slide out shelves which store my punches and tons of stuff. I need to get into that cabinet yet and organize everything - another day perhaps.

I collect Snowmen and rather than put everything up in the attic to store until next Christmas I decided to use the two top shelves, which I can't reach without my trusty little step stool. The bird houses are both gifts that I received a few years ago and there are a couple of non-snowman related projects up there too, but for the most part it's all snowman.

Well that's it for me for today. I'll be back again tomorrow with another post of a project I made using the Faber Castell pencils. It's not a Maggie, but a Mo Manning image. Please drop back again to see what I've been creating.

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Anything Goes, Magnolia-licious New Year Challenge

2012-01-01T03:00:00.003-06:00

A New Year! You just have to wonder where have the years gone and boy did they go quickly! It seems like just yesterday that I was asked to join the Magnolia-licious Design Team, but it was 3 years ago! Wow! I have loved every single minute of this journey and met so many fabulous people along the way. They have all made the journey so much fun, gave me awesome support and laughed and cried with me along the way. Thank you everyone...you are all special in my heart.

Well now, let's get down to business. Magnolia-licious Highlites has a brand new challenge for you today. It's so easy...."Anything Goes" hosted by the incredibly talented Cheryl Rowley. You've got the entire month to make something and post it to our blog. Honestly! Anything goes....

I saw some beautiful white on white cards done for Christmas this year. I am so impressed by these beauties and decided I would make one for myself. This card started out in a completely other direction, but I was persuaded by the pretty white on white cards to change my plan.

My inspiration was a beautiful card which I received from Norma Lee for Christmas. Her's is so stunning I really wanted to copy all of it...but I used it's base as my jumping off place and just played my way through to the end.

So here we go...this is my Easel card using #3048 Tilda with Teddy Bear from the Sweet Christmas Dreams collection 2011. I don't see her available in the shop anymore, I guess she was very popular!

I was very impressed with a recent card posted on Danielle's blog where she used Faber Castelle Polychromo pencils. Her coloring is stunning and I really wanted to give it a try. So I borrowed the pencils from my friend Millie bought some Strathmore Bristol paper with Vellum finish and gave it a try. I had to cut her out, and let me tell you, cutting through that paper is quite a challenge!

Her is a side view of the card showing all the dimension.

A close up of Tilda and my first attempt at coloring with the pencils. I have a long way to go...

Here is the card opened up...

My card recipe...

Bazzill White Card stock

Dies - Go Kreate XXL Square Frames Filly #2, Spellbinders Labels 18 & 20, Magnolia Picket Fence (not available at the moment), Memory Box Snowflake border (not available at the moment), Heart die - Cherry Lynn (a friend gave me this one)

Embossing Folder - Cottage Floral

Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts

Pearls - stash

Sentiment - stash (origins unknown)

Stickles - Waterfall

Chalk

Distress ink - broken china

I hope you'll be inspired to join in the fun and start the New Year with our Anything Goes challenge. I do thank you so much for your visit to my blog. I have lots of fun things in store for the future.

Happy New Year everyone...
Blessings and hugs...
Barb

Last Card of the year...

2011-12-31T11:14:00.005-06:00

Well, dear friends, here we find ourselves at the very end of 2011! I have just finished this card, my very last for this year. I didn't use a Maggie for this one, but a Silvia Zet image called Forest Elf. Actually I think she looks a little like a bride, but I colored her differently to match a card I had begun last week and it wasn't working for me.

I had very little of the dp left so I kind of matched two pieces together and I really like the effect.

This image was colored completely with Faber Castell Polychromos pencils. Oh but they are wonderful to work with. I still need a little practice but I'm enjoying the "therapy" it brings.

So here is my card, and the pictures that follow give several different views.....

Thanks to all of you who have lifted me in prayer, sent cards of encouragement, made me laugh and even cried with me during this very difficult year! You have all blessed my life so incredibly. To all my faithful followers, I wish you much peace and joy, prosperity, laughter, strength and increased faith as we rush into the new year.

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Amazing Christmas....

2011-12-25T20:07:00.009-06:00

Christmas has come and gone for another year, but not without food galore, family, fun, tears, chaos and lots of photos! We had a fabulous Christmas!

I feel like the most spoiled person on earth. My hubby showered me with so many fabulous gifts, including a Smocking Pleater, four new Spellbinder Dies and two new "feet" for my sewing machine.

I hope you'll enjoy the following pictures of our wonderful Christmas and the video clip of the most fabulous gift of the year...which will take place next October. Please stay with this rather long post to the end! You'll love the video my hubby made for me....

Santa arrived at our house without a chimney to come down, but there were no lack of presents for the children...here is the before Christmas morning.

Let the games begin and the inspection of every toy opening commence....Here is Jordan with his new Nerf gun, easel and guitar in the background...

Thank you mommy and daddy for the VReader with it's own backpack...as you will see, we just couldn't take those backpacks off...

And we opened, and opened and opened...

Our extended family arrived and we tore into another lot of gifts...

Here are the women in the family: Me, daughter in law Wendy, daughter Tiffany, granddaughter Lindsey with Jordan in the front...

Here are all the grands (and they are) from L to R: Jordan, Josslyn, Kyle, William in the wheelchair, Peighton and Brielle .

My sweet daughter Tiff and her hubby Duane...

My son Devon and his awesome wife Wendy...

My hubby bought gag gifts for everyone. The guys all got sun glasses that had strobe lights on them...the gals all got a head band with Merry Christmas on it and optical fibers on each side of that, that strobed and changed color! It was a hoot. We all wore them right through dinner, except for the sun glasses. It was lots of fun and we had a great laugh from it.

Jordan got a Hot Wheels race track for Christmas from us and his other grandparents. Her is my son and my hubby trying to figure it out. Duane was the straw boss!!! They only got the first part up as they were having a hard time figuring it all out.....team work!

And last, but definitely not least, here is the fabulous trip my hubby planned for me, and himself of course!! He is just the very best....

I wish you all the very best for a fabulous New Year!

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Three Little Sweethearts and a couple of Ornaments....

2011-12-21T15:04:00.006-06:00

Well the countdown to Christmas is intense at my house. I'm sure at yours as well! I've got my list of last minute necessities ready to head out to the grocery store. I've gone over my meal plan time and time again so that I wouldn't forget anything. The kids are out of school - sheesh!!!

Today I have some little altered flip notes to share with you. I needed three small gifts for some friends and family members, and I found these really cool Flip Note books at a local gift shop. There are metal, and, when you remove the pen, the lid flips open to a small note pad inside. Throw it in your purse or pocket and it won't every get torn or bent! VERY COOL!

Here are the three together. I used the same image, #315 Sweetheart Tilda from the 2009 Raising the Ceiling collection on all three and gave her the same outfit, but the hair color changed...

Red Hair Tilda...

Copics

Skin - E0000,00,11, Chalk for Cheeks on all three images
Dress/Socks/Bows - B21, 93
Apron - E40, 41, 42, 43
Shoes - R46, 14, 21
Hair - E13, 17, 18, 19
Stardust Stickles on the shoes

Brunette Tilda...

E 25, 35, 50

Blonde Tilda...

E35 Y26, 21

Inside the Flip Note...

And now for the Ornaments...

I loved the tutorial Mindy gave on her blog on how to do Ornaments. I had tried before very unsuccessfully and so was delighted to find her tutorial. I made two ornaments for my friends kids, hopefully they will be keepsakes that they can take into their Christmases of the future.

For one child - a girl - I used #3081 Tilda with Hanging Heart.

Hair - E35, Y26, 21
Dress - R81, 83, 85
Stickles
Gold Spica Pen
Silk Ribbon - stash
Pink Rose - stash

For the other child - a boy - I used #147 Edwin on Sled.

B 21, 93, 95
Puff Paint
Glitter
E35, 31, 30
Silk Ribbon - stash
Button - stash
Twine - stash

I put their names on the back of each one and dated it. Since they are both teenagers, I'm trusting the mom to take good care of the ornaments until the kids each have their own families and trees.

Okay, now I'm completely done for Christmas. Wishing you all a very joy filled Christmas and the most wonderful, creative, and happy New Year.

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

On their way to CHA.....

2011-12-18T17:07:00.007-06:00

I'm so sad that I won't be able to go to CHA in just one short month! It was certainly the high of the winter season for 2011 for me. The show is absolutely amazing, so many vendors, so much beautiful STUFF! It was so awesome to meet Diana and Roy Crick and some of the other members of the Magnolia-licious Design Team! Even though I can't go, some of my work will be going and I'm proud as punch that it will be on display in the Scor-Pal Magnolia Mini World booth.

This will be a rather long post, as I'm going to show you all my work in one post. I have another post for later this week, but can't show you until my gift is given to my friend, who checks my blog frequently. The kids will be home home on Christmas holidays next week and excitement reaching cosmic proportions at our house! It's going to be a fabulous Christmas with young children here again, but a lot of work as well.

I've already shown the two Christmas card fronts I made for the show so now I would like to share with you the Valentine themed projects I did.....

Here is a candy cone I made using Magnolia dp and Heart Border. The handle was made using the Mini Scalloped edge die. I used #341 Mini Tilda Blowing Hearts from the 2009 Love Collection. I popped her up on two hearts I made with my Spellbinder Hearts Classic and Scalloped dies. I also added some Bakers Twine bows to each side of the cone. Sorry, I didn't keep record of a single Copic marker that I used.

Next, I purchased a paper mache heart from Michaels and decided to cover it with three coordinating Magnolia papers, I tore the edges of the outer ones and distressed them with Tattered Rose Distress Ink. Next I made a Rosette (see my tutorial here)using one of the papers on the front then added a Classic Heart and #174 Mini Edwin Wants a hug on dimensional tape.

On the back I added another Rosette and my signature stamp in the center and finally I glued a strip of ribbon from my stash to complete the heart. He certainly stole my heart and I hope he'll steal yours too!

This next card is kind of a bridge between Valentines and spring.. For this card I used #280 Mini Tilda with Striped Tights, some Magnolia dp which I've had in my stash
and Marianne Lace Doily Die to accent the piece. I thought the Soft Sky (SU) was a nice contrast to the pink and brown. The ribbon, heart charm and pearls are from my stash. The sentiment if from Whipper Snapper March 2010. I also used a MS punch of hearts for the bottom of my panel. So still a heart theme, but using softer spring colors...

No on to my last few....

First came #3050 Mini Tilda with Heart Lace and I was still thinking hearts, as I used the Round Heart Die from Spellbinders and some heart dp, but it turned out to be a little bit of St. Patrick's with all the green. Perfect for spring, right?

So here is my card front, but not really a card front as it folds in half almost like an easel card except there's no bottom for the prop. I had lots of fun designing this card and love all the sparkly rhinestones that grace Tilda.

Here's a view that shows you the dimension of all the circles...

And last, but definitely not least is actually the first little card front I made before I thought up all the others. I have masked #3027 Chicken Tilda behind #452 Two Eggs, both from the Easter Collection 2010. I used several punches for this card, Spellbinders Classic Circles, Lacy Edge Circles and a MS edge punch the name which escapes me! I also used a MS punch for my butterflies and Marianne dies for me leaves. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts. Wow, that was a lot!!!

I used traditional Easter colors for this card front hoping to evoke visions of warmer weather and the Celebration of Easter....

I added lots of Stardust Stickles to the eggs to give them glimmer and shimmer!

Okay, just one more small item before I let you go. I made this little notebook several months ago and it's been for sale in my ETSY shop, but no one loved it enough to purchase it. I am sending her along with the CHA cards, because I think someone should love her.

She is #211 Dancing Party Tilda. She would love to dance into someones pocketbook to help them keep track of to do lists and phone numbers and other important info.
I hope Diana will enjoy her....

Well, a rather long post, with lots of different item to check out. I have to say that because of all the holiday excitement, shopping, deadlines for several other projects and umpteen Christmas parties this past week I'm plum worn out! I have just one more post this week, and that will be it until after Christmas. Mainly because this is all I have to show you.....sigh!

I Wish you all the very Merriest of Christmas, with joys and peace abounding to you as we remember the Reason for the season.

See you again soon,
Blessings and hugs...
Barb

Another Christmas card front for CHA.....

2011-12-17T17:26:00.003-06:00

I had already made two Christmas themed card fronts for Diana for CHA when I found out she wanted Valentine or Spring themes! Of course! That makes perfect sense since CHA is in January. I only had two card fronts done when I heard the news - so phew!!!

This card front uses #3098 Mini Tilda Hiding Gift from the Sweet Christmas Dreams Mini collection. She is so sweet!

I used Magnolia dp from the same collection as a background and SU Cherry Cobbler cardstock. A few gold pearls from my stash and this one was done....

Here is a close up look at how I colored her. I used Distress Inks weathered wood and tattered rose for my shadow, Martha Stewart Punch around the outside and Spellbinders Labels Ten around Tilda.

I will have more card fronts and projects to show you very soon, so stay tuned...

Blessings and Hugs,
Barb

Magnolia-licious contest ...

2011-12-14T16:55:00.008-06:00

Hi everyone, please don't forget about the absolutely fabulous Magnolia-licious contest that Diana is running right now. You can find all the details on the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog. I hope you'll be able to carve a little time to create a project - something other than a card using both Mini Wrapped Tilda and Mini Unwrapped Tilda. The prizes are awesome! Just AWESOME!!! Would you like to win a Kindle? That's what the first prize winner will get! Now tell me that isn't just the most fabulous and generous prize ever!! You have until Sunday December 18th to enter. So, put aside the gift wrapping, shopping, baking and decorating and take a little time for your passion and craft something beautiful.

Now I have a card front to share with you. I just had to put my Sweet Christmas Dreams Minis to some use this season. I designed this card front to send to Diana to use at CHA! Sheesh! CHA is in January, long past Christmas, so here I am with a card front and no time to make it into a card! GASP! I just have to make something with it....I'm thinking...I'm thinking...well, while I'm thinking, here it is...

Did a little masking with this one - oh such fun!!! I don't have a list of Copics, but the dp is from Magnolia and the sentiment is from AmyR - Handy Christmas Greetings.

Here is a closer look at Tilda and the open doorway. I tried to make the glow of the light reflect on her clothing...

Thank you for taking the time from your hectic schedule to come and play! I love the visits....

Merry Christmas hugs and blessings...

Barb

Rosette Tutorial

2011-12-12T16:09:00.006-06:00

I have been asked by several people to show how I made the Rosettes for my Magic Box's. I hope you will find the following tutorial clear enough to follow.

Step one:

You will need a ScorPal or other scoring devise, a circle punch (here I used 1 14/"), a MS edge punch, ScorTape, strong liquid glue, double sided designer paper, matching cardstock.

Step two:

Cut your designer paper to 1 1/2" x 12". Place the long side into the MS punch and punch your design through the entire length on one long side.

Step 3:

Lay the long side of your designer paper up against the top of your ScorPal. Using the scoring tool, begin to score the paper beginning with the 1/2 " mark, then 1" mark, 1 1/2" mark etc. all the way across to the end.

Flip the paper over and align one end at the 1/4" score grid. Again score the piece at the 1/2", 1" etc line all the way across to the end.

When you arrive at the end you must move your paper over a little and line up the final score line with a line on the ScorPal. Then score your final line 1/4" from that line. Here I lined up with the 5" score line, it doesn't matter where you line it up, just line it up so that you can score 1/4" away from it.

Step 4:

Your designer paper will now have mountain and valley score lines every 1/4". Begin to pleat these with the mountains coming toward you and the valleys going away from you.

Work your way completely along to the end, pressing the folds together as you go.

Secure one end of the strip with a piece of score tape and then adhere it to the other end of the strip. Now you will have a wonky looking circle that will need to be worked flat in the center.

Here is what it should look like...

Take one of the circle of cardstock that you punched and add some glue to it. Place the circle in the middle of your rosette and hold in place until the glue starts to take hold, but you can still move the circle a little. I found this important because you want to be able to maneuver your circle back to the center when you're applying the circle on the other side.

Turn your Rosette over and holding the center together place the other circle with added glue to this side. Now you want to pick it up and be sure that the circles are fairly centered.

If you would to make a smaller Rosette to fit on the top, you repeat the same steps as above with a narrower piece of designer paper. When finished, glue the smaller one to the top of the larger one.

Here is the Rosette all put together and ready for a sentiment or a small image in the center.

I added a digital sentiment from the Cutting Cafe to the center of mine. It is how ready to be used on a card, or a box lid or whatever you need to put a Rosette on.

I hope you have found this tutorial helpful .

Merry Christmas Teacher gifts.....

2011-12-11T20:39:00.006-06:00

Merry Christmas to all my wonderful followers and fellow bloggers!

This will be a fairly long post! I saw the most delightful Magic Box made on Cabio's blog last week, and decided that it would be the perfect solution for teacher gifts! Here also is a link to a tutorial on how to make these delightful (if not time consuming) boxes. Thanks so much Cabio for the inspiration, but I should have heeded your reference to just how involved these projects are!!! Yikes, I thought at times that I had bitten off more than I could chew! And I only put two images on my boxes instead of the 5 Cabio did! It's all I could muster....

All of my images are from Magnolia-licious where Diana is having a wonderful sale on Mini Bundles as well as discounts on many images as well as in-store credit which applies each time you purchase. Awesome savings, Diana!

I have lots of photos to show you, which just might take you as long to get through as it took me to make these - NOT!! Just kidding!

Are you ready? Here we go....

The first box I made uses #3092 Tucked Tilda on the outside from the newest "Sweet Christmas Dreams" collection. She is available in the large version used here and the Mini as well. I didn't keep track of the Copics I used, and I pulled the papers together from different companies because they somehow went well together.

Here is Tucked Tilda...I added some pretty lace from my stash, crowned it with a string of pearls and then put some pretty red half back pearls around the scallops of the lace to accent the red in the stripes...I die cut the image using Spellbinders Labels 10.

Here is the inside of the box using #3048 Tilda with Teddy Bear from the same collection...

I finished off the top by make rosettes in two different sizes then stamping the Merry Christmas #726 Vintage Post from Magnolia. I actually used two different dp's but they were so similar that they look alike. I used a MS punch to make the lacy edges.

For my second box I used #331 Ice Tilda on the outside. The papers are from Echo Park, but I don't remember their exact names. Here I used Spellbinders Labels 6 as the shape around Tilda, I also used a little "out of the box" technique to help her fit into the shape. The silk ribbon is from my stash.

Inside the box I perched #3058 Jolly Tilda from the 2010 Christmas collection. She is not available at the moment as she is from last year's collection.

Here is the top of the box...I added just a couple of pearls to each side of my sentiment which I purchased from Magnolia Sweden several years ago.

Finally, the third box! On the front of this box is #3055 Something for you Tilda. The dp's I used for this box are from The Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas collection. I love the turquoise and chocolate brown on these papers. Once again, I used the same lace from my stash and adorned the lacy and area around the image with half back pearls from my stash. (Thank you so much Paola!) For my die I used Spellbinder's Classic Ovals and Oval Scalloped.

On the inside of this box I used and older Tilda also. She is #310 Waiting Tilda. So sorry to say she is no longer available either.

Here is the top of the box...

All of the boxes are finished in the same way on the inside, with a Tilda perched on the edge of the bottom box. I filled the boxes with some Ghiradelli chocolates, Hershey Kisses and some tea light candles the edges of which I cover with matching papers.

So, whew! You've made it through to the end. So for a quick preview, here are the three boxes together....

Now I couldn't possibly give these wonderful boxes away without my signature. So I made one more rosette for each box and stamped my personal identification for the center.

Well, I'm glad that you stuck with me to the end of this post. It's an absolute pleasure to have to visit my blog and I hope you'll be inspired here to create a Magic Box for yourself. Interpretation is completely up to you to vary according to your creative genius! Merry Christmas to everyone....

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

This one wasn't published....

2011-12-05T06:00:00.001-06:00

I made this card in May of 2010, and with two others sent it off for publishing. One card I received back a few months ago. Just recently I received this one back, also with a rejection notice! I have so enjoyed doing stitching cards, and this will not deter me from doing more!

The image is #207 Fairytale Tilda from the Fairytale collection. I used Magnolia dp on this card, but have long since lost the list of Copic Markers I used.

A close up of Tilda...

Tilda was stamped and colored several times and then parts were cut out separately and layers built up with pop dots. Here is a look at the dimension...

On the inside of the card I used #1412 Prince Phillip and put him in the #6050 Castle Window.

The notation panel is hand stitched as well...

Thank you for stopping by to view my card. Your comments always mean so much to me and encourage me to keep on plugging!!!

Blessings and hugs...
Barb

My First Smocking Project...

2011-12-03T19:28:00.003-06:00

I have finally finished my very first smocking project - a little Bishop dress with matching diaper cover! I have lots of room for improvement, and there are many mistakes on this little dress, but I'm pleased with the end result.

I first started smocking in August of this year. I fell in love with this fabric and bought about 4 yards of it. At times I "un" smocked more than I smocked it seemed, but it finally came together. My final challenge was putting in the placket and doing the button holes! I was so afraid to start, but my friend Shirley came over to my house and we worked through it together! I learned so much by making this dress - it's a keeper! I will have to get busy now on finishing up a small romper! All this and card making keeps me very busy!

Detail of the neckline of my Bishop Dress...

The sleeve detail....

Never a dull moment at our house, we're hoping to put our tree up this week! And get some chocolates to put in my Magnolia Advent calendar which I made last year!

Thanks for your visit today...blessings and hugs...Barb

2011-11-30T15:53:00.001-06:00

At last! I have a Christmas card made only one of six now in my stash. Honestly, this is just pitiful for what I had planned! I wanted to have at a minimum of 12 to go out, but that's just not going to happen. Any way, I've completely enjoyed this whole design process and I loved having some darling images to work with.

Here I've used #3090 Tilda with Snowy Heart from the Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection. I have five more images to work with from Diana's fabulous collection. If you're in the market for some great deals, using her code " " you can save yourself some money while building up your stash! Please run right now over to her awesome shop to see all the fabulous deals she has going on.

I have also used my newest Memory Box Dies for the snowflake border and corner on this card. So absolutely delicate and beautiful and the paper falls right out of the die. No trying to manipulate something in behind the paper to release your image. These are gorgeous dies and they are on sale right now!

So here is the card I made...

I used Bo Bunny double sided paper 'Tis the season Snow Flakes'. I love the double layer I used on the front because I really wanted the red and white look to the card...

A different view of the card...

The inside upper panel used both sides of the dp. I used my SB Fancy Labels to make the hinges and added red rhinestones from my stash. I also used SB Petite Ovals and Petite Oval Scallops. The sentiment is from the Amy R collection called Handy Christmas Greetings.

The sentiment used on this notation panel is from the same Amy R Collection.

Other things I used to create this card...

Copics:
E0000, 000, 00, 11, chalk for the cheeks, C9, 7, 5, 3, 1; R46, 22, 21

Merry Christmas Sentiment - Magnolia
Stickles - Starduts, Icicle from stash
Puff paint
MS Coarse Glitter
Rhinestones - stash
Viva Pearl Pen - Cream
SB Nestabilities
Seam Binding - stash

Hope you've enjoyed your visit to my blog. Please come back soon. I promise I will have more to share with you then....

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

50th Anniversary Celebration...

2011-11-28T06:00:00.001-06:00

Recently some very close friends of ours celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. What a milestone in today's society! We had plans to attend their festive weekend until my hubby decided to move the date of his amputation up. The big celebration was just two weeks after his surgery and of course we had to cancel our plans to attend. We were very bummed about this, but we are going to get together for our own celebration after the children leave. Since they live a three hour drive away, we have to plan carefully. We're hoping that hubby will be on his new leg by that time and that we'll be able to enjoy a weekend away to celebrate - albeit late!

I saw the most delightful card done by Pat Frank some months ago using the LOTV Wedding Couple and I asked her if she would stamp me an image so that I could use it for a special card. She very graciously did and I've had the paper and image sitting off to the side for the last month, with no time to pull it together. I was so inspired by her card that I actually CASE'd the front! Thanks so much Pat for always inspiring me and getting my juices flowing!!! Your are one talented gal!!

Now I've had some spare time (at last) to get some projects started and brought to completion. So without further ado here is what I came up with....

Card recipe:

Copics:

E0000,000,00, chalk for cheeks; B60; C00,01,03; Hair - E25, Y26, E50, E13, 17, 18, 19; R81, 83, 85; G24, 20, Spica Pink

Waco Pearl pen for the hearts, distress inks, flowers and corners from Wild Orchid Crafts, rhinestones from Michaels, Glittery Gold Tulle from my stash.

Sentiment computer generated

Design Paper - The Luxury Stack Pearlized Metallic

CS - Very Vanilla and Not Quite Navy - SU

It's so sweet of you to pop by my blog today and leave me your wonderful comments. So much appreciated...blessings and hugs...Barb

Christmas Photo Cube

2011-11-27T13:55:00.005-06:00

Hi everyone! I finally have something to post on my blog! Life has been just a little challenging this past month, but lately I have found some small bits of free time to work on a project for Magnolia-licious. I missed participating in the blog hop this month, even though this project was started, I just don't have the time to really sit down and produce.

Diana Crick is running the most fabulous HUGE contest giveaway ever! The first prize is a Kindle - no kidding! How do you enter to win this generous gift? All the details of the contest can be found here at Magnolia-licious Highlites. She also has some fabulous Mini Bundle sales and many other items discounted in her store. Hurry, hurry, hurry over to see what fabulous deals you can find! Oh my! I've just checked over on Diana's store and she is sold out of every image I used on this project except the Minis! Wow! A hugely popular collection!

So, the project needed to be something other than a card using Mini Wrapped and Unwrapped Tilda's. I had in my stash this revolving photo cube which I purchased many months ago. I decided to use this for my project, but I went just a little further. Instead of photos I added 3 of the new Magnolia Sweet Christmas Dreams images, plus, a fireplace and angel which someone had sent me a few years ago.

I put 4 of those battery operated candles inside the cube and when they are turned on they give off a wonderful warm glow. The box itself is painted with white acrylic paint. The dp's are from the Sweet Christmas Dreams collection.

Here is is the Fireplace, and I hope it's from Magnolia because I can't seem to find it anywhere...Popped up with dimensional adhesive is #3001 Mini Wrapped Tilda.

All the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the gingham ribbon is from SU and the Angel is adhered to clear cardstock...

This little darling is called #3048 Tilda With Teddy Bear from the Sweet Christmas Dreams Collection....

Next is #3055 Something For You Tilda and I added #3002 Mini Unwrapped Tilda...

Finally I used #3093 Tucked Tilda (I think she's the cutest of all)

Following are close-ups of Unwrapped Tilda and Wrapped Tilda...

I completely lost track of all the Copic markers I used, but I did use Spellbinders Small Ovals and Small Scalloped Ovals for my minis. I also used Liquid Applique on all the fur pieces

I know I'm late with this project, but I thank you in advance for stopping by my blog to view my creation. You know I love to read through all the comments that you leave for me.

Blessings and Hugs,
Barb

Family Update...

2011-11-22T22:24:00.005-06:00

For those of you who faithfully follow my blog, my sincerest apologies for being so missing in action this month. Since my husbands amputation in late October I've been really bogged down with responsibilities here at home. I'm so happy to share that he is progressing very well, and looking forward to the day when he can lay his crutches aside and begin to walk on a new leg. He was hoping by Christmas, but that remains to be seen. His spirits are high, this attitude is fabulous, and he's so grateful to be out of the pain he was formerly experiencing.

I haven't been totally away from my crafting table though. I'm deep in the throws of creating a very labor intensive project for the now passed Magnolia-licious blog hop! I knew I would not be able to craft this month and Diana very graciously gave me the month off to tend to hearth and home...ummm....no more hearth!!

Today we went to the twins Parent's Day Out little Thanksgiving feast and program. Their class were Indians and the older class were Pilgrims. Totally adorable. Here are a few pictures of them. Jordan's class didn't have a Thanksgiving anything, so no pictures of him...let's hope at Christmas time....

Here ya go!

They started out with a wonderfully prepared Ham and Turkey Dinner...here is Brielle enjoying her roll. She surprised us both by NOT eating her veggies, which she simply lives on! This was the only part of the meal she ate...

Josslyn picked and poked away, but in the end ate nothing...of maybe a bite or two of Turkey...

Sometimes they pose well for the camera! Here they are and if you look you can see that the ladies at school took the time to braid their hair and even used pink bands on Brielle and green on Josslyn. Brielle on your left and Josslyn on the right...

Their costumes were made out of pillow cases. They really put a lot of work into them and even beaded the bottoms. The necklines were cut a little bit too large and they had a hard time keeping them on. Brielle is on the left and Josslyn on the right...

This is Miss Ginger! She is an absolute gem! The girls really adore her and she adores them. This is such a fabulous Parent's Day Out program I couldn't be happier. This time Joss is on the left and Brie on the right! What a pair!!!

Here they are on the way home. We installed a DVD player for them and got them headphones so we don't have to listen to it! Smart, huh??? Joss on the left and Brie on the right. They have been in this order almost everywhere we put them since they were infants. They get upset if you put them in each others "spots".

Happy Thanks Giving to everyone, we have so much to be thankful for!

Blessings,
Barb

Fairy Wings....

2011-10-23T15:30:00.002-05:00

When I purchased four digi images by Sylvia Zet, I had no idea how wonderful they would be to color. They are also available in rubber. I think I'm having just too much fun! Here is another card I've made this time using "Silver Fairy" from her newest collection!

I've also done a little watching of Suzanne Dean's new coloring video using this same image. I have so much to learn and love to try different techniques. I love how this one turned out, so pretty in blues and beige's.

So this is the second stitching card that I found while digging through a box looking for something else. What a happy find that was!

Here is the card I came up with using my original stitched panel...

A little bit of of a closer look at my Fairy...

I gave the angle a bit of a turn...

Moving on to the inside of the card...

Up close and personal view of the Fairy on the inside upper panel of my card...(please don't look too closely, I made a typo and spelled the word "if" "iff" - sheesh!!!)

I have put my Magnolia Doohickey Flourish die to good use on this card...

Card Recipe:

Bazzill Card stock
Xpress It Blending Card
Half backed pearls - stash
Stardust Stickles

Copics used throughout:
E00, 000, 0000, 11, 25, 31, 40, 41, 42, 43, 53; R81, 83; B21, 45, 97; Spika Pen - Gold

Hand embroidery
Machine stitching

So, so love it when you drop by to see my creations and leave lots of encouragement and love. Your comments make blogging so much fun!

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

And all the trimmings...

2011-10-21T17:15:00.000-05:00

I was hunting for something in my craft room the other day and ran into a couple of Stitching Cards I had stitched up many moons ago. So I pulled them out and put them in the 12 x 12 tray I keep on my desk to keep my projects together while I'm working on them or something else. Looking through my drawer of Christmas papers I found the plaid paper from My Mind's Eye, but didn't really have anything else that went with it. So I made a trip to my local LLS (with the twins in tow) and found this delightful double sided paper from Authentique called Anticipation. One side is a diamond pattern and the other side was a collage of different Christmas scenarios. Perfect! I used two Magnolia Mini's on this card, #3063 Vintage Tilda and #3074 Tilda Hanging Ornaments which are both available from Diana at Magnolia-licious.

Here is my card...

A list of my ingredients...

Copics:
E00,000,0000,11,25,31,53; G20,24,82; R11,22,46; C1,3,7; chalk,

Flowers and Corner adorners - Wild Orchid Crafts
Gold Pearls - stash
Lace - stash
Leaf Dies - Marianne Creatables
Spellbinders - Labels 1 die
Sewing Machine and thread
Sentiment - CC Designs AmyR Handy Christmas Greetings

Thanks for dropping by and having a quick visit.

Blessings and hugs
Barb

A Chocolate a day....

2011-10-17T03:00:00.000-05:00

Today is the Magnolia-licious October Blog Hop and I'm the last stop on the hop! If you have arrived here from Patti Jo's blog then you're spot on! If you are just dropping by to see my creation and would like to visit the rest of the hop, you can check out the line up here.

Our challenge this month was the idea of the fabulously talented Sharon Caudle and we were challenged to use Dr. Edwin in either regular size or mini. We could also throw in Nurse Tilda if we wanted to. #000 Dr. Edwin is the exclusive image to Diana Crick at Magnolia-licious. There's so much you could do with him. I plan to use him on plenty more cards.

I didn't make a card for this project, but found this neat wooden box that looks like a doctor's bag at Michael's for just $1. I first painted it with acrylic white paint then went over the edges with some Brushed Corduroy crackle paint. I painted the handle of the doctor's bag box with some Lummiere and black acrylic, then I covered both the front and back of the box with some paper I found in my stash.

Well, enough chit chat, here is my Dr. Edwin treat box....

Edwin is popped up over a circle of embossed white card stock backed with some green scalloped edge Certainly Celery card stock. The pearls are from my growing stash thanks to my dear friend in S. A. The flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts except the darker green flat ones, which are from a bucket of Brides Confetti which I also purchased at Michael's. I gave Edwin some scrubs to wear under his jacket.

Here is a look at the inside of the little box...

The little bag of chocolates (Hershey Nuggets covered with a strip of dp) is held together with baker's twine (from stash) and the Magnolia Tilda Lace tag die. I used #307 Mini Nurse Tilda to decorate the bag with. Cute, huh???

Finally, I just stamped my personal stamp and adhered it to the back of the box.

Well, have you had fun and picked up lots of ideas through this blog hop??? I sure hope so, and I hope you'll be making something to share with all of us. Thanks for following the hop all the way to the end...

Blessings and hugs

Barb

Sweet Winter Fairy...

2011-10-14T20:52:00.004-05:00

I just couldn't wait to make this card using my new digi image AND a new stack of of Christmas papers. They are so beautiful. I actually purchased the 12X12 stack from the Martha Pullen website. It is called "Winterbird" from the Tilda line. They have matching fabric and other neat stuff too!

This darling image is called "Winter Fairy" and is designed by Silvia Zet. I now have four images but have only colored two so far. This one is printed on Cryogen White card stock and colored with Copic Markers. I can't find the little post-it-note that I wrote down all the colors I used. So sorry!

Here is my card front...

I can't remember where I found the sketch - that information was on my post-it-note also. Bummer...

Here is a closer look and my Winter Fairy...

I finished the inside by printing out only the little bird on the circle. It took a bit of manipulating, and erasing the parts of the image I didn't want to show, but I really like how it turned out...

And again, a close up of the image...the sentiment here is from "All That Scraps" and is a new AmyR stamp set called Handy Christmas Greetings. It was a steal - 12 sentiments for just $8!

Finally, here is and angled view of the card. I used my sewing machine to sew around all the panels, the pearls were a gift from my special fiend Paola, the card stock is from SU, ribbon is a wired ribbon from my stash, also the bakers twine from my stash. The button is from my large button bin! The little sleigh in the right hand corner is something I found in my stash of charms and I colored the presents with my copic markers. On the card stock which runs horizontally under the ribbon, I used my crimping tool. I used Stardust Stickles on the wings and some Pastel Pink Pearl Maker.

Thank you so very much for your visit and for all the fabulous comments you leave to encourage me along! Have a fabulous weekend...

Hugs and blessings,
Barb

No particular reason.....

2011-10-11T18:58:00.003-05:00

Yesterday we took the kids to our local fair, as it was a long weekend, and after the fabulous rain we had on Sunday, Monday was a perfect day. Today, everyone headed off to school and I had a few hours for just me. I'm so behind on my Maggie cards, at least I think I am, so I got down to business and made a card just for the pure joy of it! This card has no title and there is no sentiment but that doesn't mean I can't add one when the time comes.

Don't you just love this gorgeous paper from 7 Gypsies? The last time I used it with a card I really brought the yellow tones. This time I decided to pull together the soft blues and greens. I hope I balanced it all well. And look Ma! No flowers!!! That's right, I actually made a card without a single flower, because I didn't want to detract from the pretty floral back ground. Okay, so let's look at my card...

The images I used are #3032 Water Can Tilda and #520 Flower Wall Post. What a super combination they are. Both of these images are available from Diana at her Magnolia-licious online store and they are available in the regular size, which I have used, and the Mini size. Let me just say that Diana offers the largest variety of Magnolia's and Mini's anywhere. Her service is excellent and she even has a continuing discount, regardless how little or much you spend. I hope you'll stop by her store and do a little shopping. The newest Christmas images called "Sweet Christmas Dreams" are on pre order right now and I'm tellin' ya, they are all just too adorable. My order is already in....

For my design elements I used some tulle, which I've had in my stash for years, and the pearl brad which I found under a pile of stash stuff. I added some pearls (a gift from my dear friend Paola Levi) to a couple of corners and the pretty silver corner piece which is from Wild Orchid Crafts. I also added a little Stardust Stickles to the hem of Tilda's frock. I used my Doohickey Flourish Die to which I added some small pearls.

Here's another view of my card...

A close up of Tilda and how I colored her...

I finished off the inside of the card with several layers of cardstock (SU Barely Banana and retired Soft Sky) and the pretty dp, another tulle bow a few pearls and one more silver corner adorn-er. There is plenty of room on my salutation panel to stamp a sentiment too.

Here is the list of Copics I used...

Skin - E00, 000, 0000, 11 and chalk for the cheeks
Hair - E25, 31, 51
Dress - YG91, 93, 95, E41, 42, 43
Shoes - W00, 1, 3, YG91, 93, 95
Socks - E41, 42
Trowel - C00, 1, 3
Flowers and grass - Bo1, Y15, YG93
Water Can - Booo, 0000, 01, 02
Wall - W00, 1, 3, 6
Distress Inks on background - weathered wood and tattered rose

Well, I can't thank you enough for stopping by for a visit. Your comments always make me smile. Hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Hubby Update...

2011-10-08T20:02:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone, I've already posted the following information to my Facebook, but realized that many of you don't follow over there, but would be interested in knowing the latest news about my hubby.

Argh! Not good news...or maybe it is! After waiting a couple of months for his AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic) to arrive, it was very disappointing. It was designed to fit his leg and ankle as precisely as possible, and he had to buy and extra large shoe to accommodate the swelling in his foot and the AFO also. Well, it didn't work out for him. It actually hurt his ankle more than the boot does. It was very discouraging for him as he had a lot riding on that AFO.

He has made the decision that he just can't keep on with the constant pain and discomfort of wearing the boot and has opted to have the lower half of his leg amputated. The surgery will take place on October 26, just 2 1/2 weeks from now. Needless to say we've both been struggling with the outcome of the past 14 months, and that the need for the amputation has been moved up. We were hoping to wait until after the children left, one, so that I would have more time to devote to him, and two, to avoid the children having to experience such a drastic outcome. The little girls don't know what is going to happen, and don't even realize that he has such a bad leg. They just say that Grampy has a booboo! Then there's Jordan, and he well remembers that Bill was in the hospital twice just after they came to stay with us. We've talked to him as gently as possible about the leg having to come off so that Grampy can get better. He cried! So we continue to talk about it when it seems appropriate and not give him too many details.

The good news? There should be a quick recovery from the surgery and in about 3 weeks post OP, he will be fitted with a temporary prosthesis. He will be in outpatient rehab to learn how to walk on it, so he'll still be on crutches for a bit longer. After the swelling is completely down on his stump, he will be fitted with a permanent prosthesis. So we are both struggling a little with the decision to move the surgery up, still trying to work out the logistics of child care, but looking so forward to moving on with healing for Bill and an end to his constant pain!

I may not be doing too much blogging during the month of November, depending on how well things are going here at home. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for us.

Blessings and hugs
Barb

2011-10-05T21:32:00.003-05:00

Today I have a new card to show you. This darling image is a digi from Silvia Zet who designs for Wee Stamps and is called Rosies Bike Ride! Isn't she just so sweet? I had a bit of a problem with the ink from my printer smearing, but I refused to throw her out and just forged ahead anyway. It's not easy to see where the smearing is. It's the first time I've had a problem with it.

I used Basic Grey "Capella" dp for my backgrounds and Bazzill Chocolate Brown for my contrasting card stock. The image is printed on Cryogen white. I don't remember where I got the sketch from as I search many challenge sites and go back sometimes several months before I find a sketch I really like!

So here is my card:

Here is a closer look at the image...

A couple of artistic views...

And finally, how I finished the inside of my card...

I used the following Copic Markers:
Skin - E00, 000, 0000, 11 and Chalk for the cheeks
Hair - E34, Y26, 32 and Blender pen
Roses - R81, 83, 85
Leaves - G24
Dress - BG72, 93 and Turquoise Spica Pen
Bike/Basket - C01, 00, BG72, E34, 35, 53

All flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, sprayed with Perfect Pearls Mist
Corner adorners are cut ends of SB Fancy Labels Dies
Rhinestones - stash
Ribbon - Silk from stash, Chocolate Seam binding and Chocolate and white Bakers twine
Sewing Machine and thread
Sentiment - SU

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and encouraging me with your valued comments.

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

"O" is for October, Orange and Octagon...

2011-10-03T09:26:00.005-05:00

It's Challenge time again over at Magnolia-licious Highlites, and the design team have a fantastic challenge for you. As you can read in the title, our very talented Maureen has given us this fabulous three part sketch. I had a great amount of fun creating this delightful card starting with a trip to my local Michael's, where I spotted these wonderful dp's from Basic Grey called Ambrosia. Then over in the ribbon section I found a package of ribbon that would match perfectly! I was off to the races...

I didn't want to do a Halloween card, because I never have the occasion to send them to any one, so I browsed through my images catalog and I found this very sweet image of #262 Beautiful Tilda from the Butterfly Dreams 2011 Collection. She is available right now in both the Mini and Full sized images. Diana has a wonderful web shop, her service is second to none and you can even earn in store credit each time you make a purchase. She is offering a fantastic discount on orders, so please head on over there to get the best deal anywhere!!!

Here is the card I made:

Here is a close up of Tilda - although it's difficult to see that I used Orange Peel Stickles on the ruffled part of her dress it is there...

My very sweet online friend Cathy-Lynn sent me some wonderful beaded leaves that she made for me and they were a perfect match here on my flower arrangement. A little gauze helped to give the card a little ethereal feeling I think...

The inside of my card repeats the design of the octagon and I made a pocket for the salutation panel to fit into. The semi circular design on the pocket is a rub on, a package of which I received about a year ago from Leone Jeschke in Australia. I finally found a place to use one of them and I think the fit is perfect...

The salutation panel is removable and I have stamped the bottom of it with a sentiment purchased from the $1 bin at Michaels.

Here is my card recipe for those of you who are interested:

Cardstock - SU Pumpkin Pie and Going Grey, Bazzill white Xpress It Blending Card
DP - Basic Grey Ambrosia
Copics:
Skin - E00,000, 0000, 11, Chalk for cheeks
Hair - N1, 3, 5, 6
Dress - YR12, 61, 65, Orange Peel Stickles
Wings - YR65, 01, 0000 BG70, 93, Stardust Stickles
Sentiment - Artistic Outpost and Michaels
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts sprayed with Perfect Pearls Mists "Perfect Pearl"
Distress Inks - weathered wood and tattered rose
Cheese cloth
Beaded Leaves - Cathy-Lynn
Ribbon - Michaels
Sewing Maching and thread

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Your comments are always appreciated! I hope you'll pick up the sketch/color challenge this month and let us see what you've come up with.

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

BIRTHDAY WISHES FOR BARB

2011-10-01T00:22:00.006-05:00

Happy Birthday...I tried to do a stamped card but just didn't work out. Even considered using a page from the girls coloring books but couldn't stay in the lines. So, since I don't have much money I do however have a lot of time. SO, I made this little video for you instead....enjoy...Happy Birthday from your broken down DH

Matchbox Cuties...

2011-09-26T01:00:00.001-05:00

Hello blogging buddies! I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. While we are still enjoying the (hopefully) last of our triple digit temperatures, it's been heating up in my craft room!

I have recently joined a Smocking Guild which is affiliated with the SAGA or Smocking Artist Guild of America. We are a very small group, 7 in all, but we're hoping to grow as people hear about us and would like to get back to smocking or learn all about this awesome craft!

I wanted to make something special for each of the ladies, and what better way than to share my love of stamping and sweet Maggies than to make them each a small Matchbook Note Pad. I think these will come in handy as they can be so easily carried and will be great for jotting down particulars of meetings or phone numbers or anything else that may pop up.

Since I already had two that were ready to go (and are now removed from my ETSY shop) I just had to put 4 more together. Here is what I came up with...

I used Magnolia dp for all of my notepads and just scraps of left over cardstock.

This is # 321 HELLO LITTLE BUTTERFLY from the "Butterfly Dreams" collection 2011. She is colored with Copics and I used Distress Inks Weathered Wood and Tattered Rose for the background. The ribbon is some generic stuff from my stash. She is available at Diana's Magnolia-licious shop here and comes in regular size or Mini.

Hair - E35, Y26 and 21
Skin for all images - E0000,000,00,11 and chalk for cheeks
Dress - R81 ,83 ,85
Apron - W00 ,3, 5
Shoes - E35, 34 ,53

This next one is #3011 TILDA WITH STRAW HAT also from the Butterfly Dreams 2011 collection. She is colored with copic markers and the background is also done with the same distress inks. The ribbon is retired SU. This image is available here at Magnolia-licious and comes in both the regular size and Mini.

Copics used:
Dress/socks/bow - BG78, 72, 93; Hair - E17, 18, 19, 13; Flower - RV91, 93, 95, G 24, 20; Butterfly - B21 and Y35; Hat - Y26, 21, Blender; Shoes - E35, 34, 53

Here is the third one I did, again using Magnolia dp. This sweetie is #3012 TILDA WITH STUFFED ANIMAL again from the Butterfly Dreams 2011 Collection. The ribbon is from my stash. This image is available from Diana's Magnolia-licious shop here.

Copics used:
Hair/Shoes - C3, 5, 7, 9
Sheep - C5, 3, 1, Chalk for cheeks
Hat/Outfit - BG72, 18, 10
Flowers - Y35, 21, white gel pen
Ranger Glossy Accents on the shoes

My final notepad. On this one I used #3032 WATER CAN TILDA from the Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011. This is image is available in full size or Mini here.

Copics used:
Dress/Shoes - B21, 93, 95 & Blender
Hair - E25, 27, 23 & Blender
Flowers/Water can - R81, 83 85 & white gel pen
Trowel - C00, 1, E34, 30
Stardust Stickles
Ribbon - stash

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog today. Your comments are always appreciated. I'm off to work on another project, so I hope to see you soon.

Hugs & Blessings
Barb

My KAOS cards...

2011-09-22T12:57:00.005-05:00

I lost an entire week of crafting during my recent illness, but I'm back up and running now and feeling oh so much better. When I received my KAOS card from Norma, I was thrilled to have an award that can sit on my desk and I can look at it all the time. If you want information about KAOS cards please check my posting here.

The three people I want to pass this award on to are Julie Price (Stamps Paper Ribbon N Things), Nancy Miller (Nancys Niceities) and Natalie Grantham (ngcards). These sweet gals have blown me away with their crafting talent and encouraging words. It's wonderful to pass the award off to each of you and I hope you'll enjoy it!

One of the nice things about this award is that you don't have to pass it on if you care not to! How easy is that?! But who doesn't want to pass on this kind of blessing - I, for one, just couldn't resist.

Here are my cards...

I captured the idea for these round cards from Bev Rochester's blog. I didn't have the large scalloped edge die so I just made mine plain round. I borrowed the idea for the ribbon and bows from her also, but from there I created my own card. You will notice that I have four cards up there. Well one of them is a thank you card for Norma! I wanted to thank her for sending me the award and doing such a beautiful job on it - right down to a custom envelope made with beautiful paper and sealed with velcro. It was a beautiful sight to see in my mail box!!!

Here are some close ups of each card. These images are available from Diana on her Magnolia-licious online store.

This one is #3039 LONGING TILDA. I used scrap paper for each of my cards so I have no idea who the maker of the paper is. I added a small cluster of paper roses and curlycues, seam binding and some pearls around the scallop. The letters were purchased for this project and are popped up on pop dots. Cardstock is SU Bravo Burgundy, Xpress It Blending card and Bazzill white.

Here is #266 TILDA ON ELBOWS. I used more flowers, SU Pumpkin Pie Ribbon and Ballet Blue Cardstock.

Here is #3039 LONGING TILDA again. This time I used SU Cranberry Crisp, Magnolia Strawberry dp, white seam binding, SU Bravo Burgundy 1/4 grosgrain ribbon and white pearls

This is my thank you card for Norma. Again I used #266 TILDA ON ELBOWS and dressed Tilda completely in pink. I use more SU 5/8" grosgrain ribbon and card stock in Regal Rose. The pink pearls are from my stash and the thank you sentiment is from The Cutting Cafe.

I used the following copics:

Skin - E00,000,0000,11 and chalk for the cheeks
Hair - E35,Y26,21, E25,27,53,C9,7,5,3,
Clothing - G24,40,82; B21,93,95; R39,59,46,81,83,89
Wings were done with Waterfall and Fruit Punch Stickles.

Thanks for stopping by to visit my blog today. I hope you'll get inspired to get creative with your Maggies too!

Blessing,
Barb

Magnolia Mini World Blog Hop

2011-09-19T01:00:00.002-05:00

Oh my word...it's time for the Magnolia-licious September Blog Hop and you are in for a very special treat!

The challenge for the DT was to decorate the new Magnolia Mini World Binder to show what could be done with it. I have to say that the Binder all by itself is rather pretty with the Mini world emblem across the bottom and on the spine in a pretty soft teal color. Coming up with the design for it was a wee bit of a challenge but once my idea solidified I was off to the races.

Since this is a blog hop, I hope that you'll start at the beginning and follow all the way through, because the DT have been doing some fantastic work to show you. If you arrived here from the incredibly talented Sharon Caudle's blog then you're headed in the right direction. From here you'll hop on over to the equally talented Janiel's blog to see her fabulously creative binder! I hope you'll get some inspiration to purchase the binder to store and catalog all your mini's in. You can also apply your in store credit towards the purchase of the binder so that makes it quite affordable. You can find the binder here and it comes with plastic storage pages, which store two images back to back and nine per page. The little card inserts are ready for you to stamp and leave room for you to catalog the images. This means that in one page you can store 18 images. Here's what they look like...

Well now, on to my binder and the design that I came up with. I decided to make the front of mine a calendar. Starting with January and moving across the top from left to right I colored twelve images representing the twelve months of the year. I have used some Bazzill cardstock, a sheet of designer paper which I purchased out of town and don't remember the name of and then die cut twelve Spellbinder Lacy Edge Squares which measure about 2 1/2 inches. My image squares are 2 inches, and are colored with copics on XpressIt Blending card. I used Distress ink tattered rose and weathered wood with a aqua pen for the backgrounds. The exception is the March image where I used broken china for the cloud pattern and copics for the ground.

Here are the images I used on my Binder:

January - #109 Tilda and Edwin Skating - New Years 2009
February - #341 Tilda Blowing Hearts - Love Collection 2009
March - #3020 Tilda with a Kite - Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011
April - #3035 Tilda in Summer Rain - Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011
May - #250 Tilda with Butterfly Dress - Butterfly Dreams 2011
June #368 Tilda with Bike
July - #3029 Tilda with star Dress - Sweet Rainbow Collection 2011
August - #389 Peachy Tilda - A little Yummy for your Tummy 2009
September - #229 Cowgirl Tilda - Bon Voyage Collection 2010
October - #394 Devil Tilda - So Spooky Collection 2009
November - #350 Native American Tilda - Bon Voyage Collection 2010
December - #3074 Tilda Hanging Ornaments - Christmas Collection

All of these images are available at Diana's Magnolia-licious shop.

Here are some close up views of my images:

This is a view of the entire Binder showing the Magnolia emblem at the bottom...

I wanted to do something special on the spine of my binder also. I tied some ribbon to a clasp ring (which is attached to the opening mechanism for the binder rings) and then added some buttons, beads and two more images using the Magnolia Vintage Tag die. I used #307 Nurse Tilda - Winner Takes All collection and #202 Basketball Tilda from the same collection.

Whew! This is a rather long post and I hope I haven't bored you with all the photos. You're really going to enjoy seeing all the binder the DT have decorated. Don't forget to head on over to Janiel's blog and get inspired with her awesome binder.

Hugs,
Barb

KAOS

2011-09-13T19:18:00.004-05:00

I have received a blogging award, but not the usual kind. I don't participate in the blogging awards that have you answering 10 questions about yourself and then passing it on to a dozen people. I've done that, it's very time consuming and not everyone wants to participate.

But recently I was given this wonderful award by Norma Lee who lives in Vancouver Canada - my old stomping grounds! We've never met before, but we've visited plenty on the yahoo group. She is one amazingly talented gal. Here is a picture of the card she sent me. Since learning of this award I've been busy making my KAOS cards for three recipients. Now I just need to figure out who to sent them to!!!

Here is a description of what the award is about, obviously originating in Sweeden!

KAOS(Kreativa Artister med Otrolig Skaparglädje)

A living sign which is sent to someone you appreciate. But instead of having it digitally, you create real cards and send them on. Anyone who may in turn pass on self-made KAOS awards to others they appreciate. Award is said KAOS regardless of who made them. To these be your own style and specialties to be included:

Each KAOS-award includes:
Title: KAOS
Creator's own name
Size: 10x15cm

Then you of course, photograph/scan Awards and blog about it too. In this way, awards a digital memory, but also something you can physically store and look at. The blogger appoints also the next THREE KAOS winners. Maybe write a little explanation of why these latest awards, or just leave the link to them.

***

My Magnolia Down Under Challenge card...

2011-09-12T20:23:00.004-05:00

I saw some fabulous cards at the Magnolia Down Under Challenge blog recently and decided to give their sketch a try. This card really came together quickly. I pulled some long retired SU dp out of my stash and worked all my layers before I even began to color this sweet fall image.

There is no fall in the air here in Central Texas, just more triple digit temperatures and more fires popping up all over the place. Sheesh, enough already!

It's also been pretty hot here at my house, well, I mean to say the whole family was sick today. Jordan didn't even make it past his applesauce this morning before he began throwing up, and the girls, who have been off their food for a few days got the trots, except that their still in pullups, and it was a marathon for me with three kids running to the bathroom. On top of that, hubby is down with the same thing. Thanks goodness I'm feeling better from my cold, but still having some sinus problems. So anyway back to my card...

This little image is #3064 TILDA IN AUTUMN LEAVES and she is available at Diana's Magnolia-licious shop. She is also available in the Mini version.

Here is the front view of the card I made. Please take note of the fabulous Banner Pennant's, which I just recently received in the mail, a gift from my friend Sharon Caudle! What a fabulous surprise I found in my mail box the other day...thank you so VERY much Sharon...

Here is a close up of Tilda and how she is colored. The sky was done with distress inks broken china and weathered wood. All the rest of the image was colored with Copic Markers.

A side view of the card...

In case you didn't notice there is a little tag tucked in behind the third panel. The sentiment is one I've had for years and don't really remember where it comes from...

To finish off the inside of the card I repeated the Banner Pennants and it still left plenty of room to add a personal note.

This is my second post for the day...I really wanted to enter into the challenge and not be too late with it.

Thanks for stopping by again, your visit is much appreciated!

Hugs,
Barb

Wish you well....

2011-09-12T01:00:00.003-05:00

Hello fellow bloggers and Magnolia lovers. I have a new card for you today following the same sketch I used on my Thank you card last week. I'm am loving this newest collection from Magnolia called "Winner Takes All". I didn't think I would like it so well, but I'm finding it quite versatile. You can purchase any of the images in full size or mini at Diana's Magnolia-licious online shop.

First, before I reveal my card I have and little share. Recently I was approached through my Etsy shop to fulfill a custom order. I worked hard to get that order ready in a timely fashion and even made another project when the first wasn't to the customers satisfaction. I really work to please. After posting those items to my ETSY shop and contacting the customer a few times there has been no follow through. Lesson learned! Never do a custom order with out taking a deposit. Each of those items are now for sale on my ETSY shop, so if anyone is interested.....

This time I chose to use #307 Nurse Tilda. Isn't she just the cutest? She is colored on Cryogen white with Copic markers with distress inks weathered wood and tattered rose with an aqua pen for the background. Card stock is Bravo Burgundy and Bordering Blue by SU. My dp is from my stash. If you look closely you will see that I used a fancy stitch around my panels that looks like the heart beat on a monitor. I know it's a little hard to see...

Well here is my card...

A closer view of Nurse Tilda...

Side view of the card...

On the inside I thought it would be fun to add a little first aid kit. I used my MS punch to make a pocket into which I inserted some bandaids, antiseptic wipes, disposable thermometer, gauze pads, pain reliever and a tea bag. Although this picture shows the items individually inserted, I had to put them in a small plastic bag to keep them from falling out when I stood the card up. I forgot to take a picture of that.

My salutation panel is again, very simple...

And finally, the artsy view of my card...

Here is my card recipe...

Copics:
Skin E00,000,0000,11, Chalk
Hair - E13,17,18,19
Uniform/hat/socks - B0000,01; N1
Bottle - E23,25,27
Papers - E40,42
Shoes - E34,35,53
Corner Adorner and lace - Melissa Frances
Spellbinders - Beaded Ovals, Large ovals, Long Rectangles, Long Scalloped Rectangles
Button - SU
Ribbon - stash
Crafters floss - stash
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Leaves - Marianne dies
Glimmer Mist - Pearl
Glitter - SU

Thanks so much for visiting me again. I always appreciate your comments and I hope I've inspired you to get creative with this collection...

Blessings and hugs,

Barb

House Mouse...

2011-09-10T10:40:00.006-05:00

I know I've posted the comings and goings of various critters in our house before, and I have another story for you. Some have met their doom in a not so kindly way, others, like grasshoppers, crickets and moths are well taken care of by our resident cat, and other, like this sweet little mouse, were captured and set free in our back yard. We told him he wasn't welcome back!!

I was preparing a crock pot of baked beans this morning (aren't I just so domestic) This was after my early morning foray to the Farmer's Market, where I picked up some locally grown fruits and veggies. While I was getting the ingredients together I noticed that my dog was having a fit in the dining room. Since we spotted a small garden snake in the girls closet yesterday (we couldn't corner him at all and he's disappeared until another time) I kind of thought that's what the dog was upset about. So I told my hubby and he got our high powered flashlight and started looking. It became obvious that the critter was behind our hutch, which would have to be moved away from the wall to be checked out. Low and behold, there, crouching under the hutch was this little mouse. My daring and dashing hubby decided that he should be captured live and let go outside.

When he tried to corner him the little munchkin ran a hundred yard dash lightning fast and ended up on the top of one of our dining room chairs. He eased himself across the rungs of the chair to perch on the top. He was so delighted to stay still and pose for a couple of pictures!

Here he is crossing the bar....

I came, I saw, I conquered...

After his wild flight and skill testing climb he decided to just rest for a few minutes to catch his breath...

Well, hubby went out to the garage and got his big heavy work gloves on and actually managed to catch the blighter and put him in a box for removal. At that point we told the children we had captured a mouse and they got to see him in the box.

We held the box open in our field and fast and lightening he was gone over a pile of bricks and away. The kids were afraid he was going to run back out of the bricks and backed up warily.

So how has your Saturday been so far? Gosh I wonder WHERE that little snake is???

Hugs,

Barb

Not altogether idle...

2011-09-08T15:01:00.005-05:00

Hi all. It seems that I've been quiet for a few days, but really I've been at work behind the scenes. I was asked to make some more bookmarks and another Matchbox Mini Notepad as a special order, so that's kept me going. On top of that I have a nasty cold that laid me low for most of yesterday and today.

This will be just a short post and I'm not feeling very chatty.

Here are the note pads:

On this one I used #340 FAIRY DUST TILDA from the Fairytale Collection, at Magnolia-licious. She is still available, though I don't see a picture of her. I also used some dp from Magnolia called Peacock from the Bon Voyage Collection. She is colored with Copics and a bit of distress ink.

This is #3075 TILDA IN CHRISTMAS COAT from the Christmas 2010 Collection and I pared her with some Magnolia dp from the Vintage Christmas Collection. Tilda is currently not available in the full size but is available in the Mini. She is for sale in my ETSY shop and would make a great stocking stuffer for some lucky little girl!

Here are the three little bookmarks:

This is #149 SANTA HUG. He is colored with copics and distress inks and I added a bit of beaded trim around the edge to make him more festive. He is available only in the Mini size.

Here is #109 TILDA AND EDWIN SKATING from the New Years 2008 collection. After coloring them I ran them through my Cuttlebug Swiss Dot Embossing folder so that it looks like snow coming down. I used waterfall Stickles for the ice. This image is available in both full size and Mini.

Lastly, here is#3071 SNOWY HUGS. This image is available only in the Mini size at Magnolia-licious.

That's all I have for today. I hope to be back soon with another creation for you to see.

Blessings and Hugs,

Barb

Thank you, thank you, thank you...

2011-09-05T01:00:00.000-05:00

Blessings come in all kinds of packages, and recently I received a wonderful blessing from a friend who is in my Sunday School class as well as fellow choir member.

I was planning a surprise birthday get together for my amazingly wonderful hubby at a local restaurant with several other couples. I had already arranged for us to meet with one other couple for dinner, but he didn't know that I had contacted a few others to join us. I found myself in a dilemma because this particular restaurant won't let you make reservations, and I needed a table for 10. I had called the restaurant to find out how I could do this and they told me I would have to be there about 5:30 to put my name on the wait list. Well, I couldn't do that because how would I ever get out of the house without him knowing. And everyone was going to be at the restaurant at 6:15. I was sharing that with my friend and she said "I'll do it! I'll go at 5:30 and put your name on the list and wait for you to arrive and then just sneak out the door". I was so thrilled with her offer and true to her word she pulled it off perfectly. Now that's a friend!!!

I wanted to let her know how much I appreciated her so I sat down the next day and began to make a card for her. I'm always stumped for a sketch, but found one on Pat Frank's blog and CASE'd it. Thanks Pat for unknowingly giving me my jumping off place.

Here is my version of Pat's sketch...

I have used #305 Gymnastic Tilda from the newest Magnolia Collection "Winner Takes All". She is available from the Magnolia-licious shop along with all the other fabulous images in this collection.

Here is a close up of Tilda...

Here is the inside panel with a sentiment from "The Cutting Cafe" as is the sentiment on the front of the card.

My salutation panel is very simple but was perfect for the note of thanks that I wrote her.

Here is my card recipe...

Image - #305 Gymnastics Tilda - Winner Takes All Collection 2011
Card stock - Bazzill, SU, Cryogen
DP - Stash
Spellbinders -Square and Scalloped square, Circle and Scalloped circle, Lacy Edge Square
Stickles - Stardust
Buttons - SU
Ribbon - stash
Bakers twine - stash
Corner adorner - stash
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Perfect Pearls Mist
Diamond Dust glitter - SU
Feather - stash

I gave my friend this card last night at our first of the semester choir practice and she was thrilled that I had taken the time to make a card just for her. She blessed me more!

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and always appreciate your visits...

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

Hi ho, Hi ho, it's back to school we go...

2011-09-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Hi again! I'm back with another marvelous Maggie creation. This month on Magnolia-licious Highlites Challenge we are challenging you to a create a Fall card, using autumn colors or a back to school theme card. Your choice!

For my card I decided to do a back to school theme, using some almost autumn colors ( because the temps here in Texas are still in the 100's) and two older Tilda images. Here I've combined #258 TILDA WITH EYE GLASSES and #534 BOOKS WITH COVERS. Unfortunately neither of these images are available in Diana's store, but I know that if you ask her she will do her utmost to get them for you.

This is an easel card and the stopper is actually a post it note holder. I thought it might be quite handy sitting by your phone or on your desk. ;-)

Here is a close up of Tilda. I gave her read eye glasses, but don't ask me why...just because! I cut two of the books off the stack of books and used them as part of my embellishments. The little charm hanging from the seam finding bow is a little ruler which I've had forever.

I made the little post it holder box using the same dp as is on the bottom of the card and added some post it notes. That's my only embellishment on the bottom.

Here is what the card looks like from the side. Of course because of the depth of the post it notes, this card won't close completely, but if you're going to use the notes then you don't want it closed anyway.

Well that's my card for the September challenge. I hope you'll come along and play with us and post your creations to the Highlites blog.

Card recipe:
Card stock - Bazzill white, Cryogen white, SU Always Artichoke
DP - stash
Ribbon - stash
Charm - stash
Copic markers:
Skin - E00,000,0000,11 and Chalk
Glasses - Spica Red
Hair - E35, Y26,23 and Blender
Shirt - YR14,24 ,E35,30
Pants - YG61,63,67
Books - YG61,63,67; YR14,24; Y35,30; E40,41,42,43

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Way to go!

2011-08-25T11:20:00.004-05:00

Hi everyone, I have another card to share with you. This one was inspired by a friend of mine and is in the mail and on it's way as I type. My friend has three daughters and all have been very involved in multiple school activities throughout the years, including Cheer-leading and Volley Ball. When the new "Winner Takes All" came available at Magnolia-licious I just new I had to have these two images and hopefully she will be able to use them in her scrapbooking. She just "launched" her eldest into college so I hope this card will cheer her up a little....

Their school colors are red and black - not as easy to work with as you might think - at least not for me!

Here is the card I designed for her using the school colors throughout...

Here is a close up of Cheerleader Tilda

A side view of the card...

Here is how I finished the inside of the card. I created a pocket in the salutation panel to hold the images that I colored for her...

Here are the images pulled up from the pocket and you can see how I colored them.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I always appreciate your visits...

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Diana's Birthday Bash...

2011-08-23T01:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the Magnolia-licious Highlites Birthday bash Blog Hop. We are celebrating our fabulous Diana's birthday (which is actually tomorrow, August 24th) and we're throwing one bodacious Cyber Birthday Party. I'm in charge of the appetizer's and this is what I'm putting on the table...

Don't these look delicious? What a yummy way to start the festivities!!

Since this is still a blog hop you should have arrived here from the uber talented Janiel's blog. If not, please hop back to the beginning of the party hop by going over to the Magnolia-licious Highlites to start your journey. Lots of fabulous creations and lot's of fun party items to be found along the way. From here you will hop to Sharon Caudle's awesome blog to see her fabulous creation.

We were each asked to make something very special for Diana to honor her. She is such a fabulous leader, most generous with her Maggies and always looking for a way to give us all a break! So my mind began to just pop with ideas that I hope will let her know just how greatly appreciated she is, not just by her DT but by everyone who shops with her online. I made three special projects for her and I hope she will enjoy each one. Here are the three projects together and I will go through how each one was made followed by a recipe on each project at the end of the post. All the images are available from Diana at Magnolia-licious unless otherwise stated...if you can't find a particular image, just let Diana know and I know she will work her magic to get it into the shop for you! I'm telling you, Diana goes well out of her way to give us the best prices, the best service and the best discounted deals anywhere.

The first project I pulled together is a tin DVD case. I ordered a number of these several years ago and was down to my last two. These are so cool. They make a really great gift when you put personal touches on them. I thought about traveling to B.C to help Diana celebrate, but, well, that was out of the question. However, I knew that Tilda could travel and so I chose #262 Traveller Tilda (she is not available in the store right now) and sat her upon #625 Suitcase with Sign from the Bon Voyage collection (also not available) and masked them together. I knew I wanted to use Magnolia dp on this project too so I went hunting through my drawer and found these two papers from the Bon Voyage Collection also. I covered the seam of the paper with a strip of black card stock using my Magnolia Vintage Lace die and a piece of red ribbon. Notice that Tilda's purse uses the Zebra paper to match and that I've put 'TX' and 'BC' on the sign post. Oh what fun I'm having...

Here's a close up of sweet Tilda...

Now, on the inside I decided to put a party in the box. Sorry, Diana, I really tried to fit in some chocolate but nothing would fit. However, there is still some chocolate to come so don't despair!

I reversed the paper and finished off the middle leaving a pocket to stick stuff into. For the party I've included a balloon and three candles, but after these are removed you can put in little reminder notes, receipts or anything that just needs tucking in. (just not a candy bar!)

On the opposite side I've added a small notepad (which has had 1" removed from the bottom to fit the tin). I covered the top of the pad with more Zebra paper and stamped each and every page with Mini images of Tilda. I used #293 Tilda with small gift, #294 Tilda with a Balloon, #233 Congratulation Tilda, #241 Dancing Part Tilda and #3050 Tilda with Heart Lace. All of these mini images are available at Diana's store. Then to complete the ensemble I used more Zebra paper and inserted it into the barrel of the pen then tied a small piece of gingham ribbon to the pocket clip and wrote a note to Diana. This birthday note pad in a tin is perfect for slipping into your purse, you always have pen and paper handy and the tin snaps closed to keep loose papers contained.

Next I had been working on this idea for a Cupcake gift card holder, but wasn't happy with the results. So keeping the Styrofoam ball with the flowers and ribbon, I redid the bottom to my satisfaction and reinserted the ball. Instead of making a regular rectangular gift card part, I made mine oval and used a Mini Congratulation Tilda and Mini Tilda with a balloon again, masking together. I repeated the Spellbinder shape that I had used on then front of the Note pad tin. This doesn't slip all the way into the "Cupcake" as in the instructions, but I liked my idea well enough. I used a Micro binder clip to hold the images panel and a Starbucks gift card on the back. Red bows finished off this project.

Here is the cupcake with the images slipped all the way out...

And here is the cupcake with the gift card swiveled out. Diana, enjoy a good cup of coffee or two on me and think of me while you sip away...wish I could be there to share it with you.

My final project and little gifty for Diana is a altered Crystal Light container. I'm tellin' ya the ideas just kept on comin'!!!

I didn't have any of the original dp left, at least in pieces big enough to cover this oval shaped container. So I found some Magnolia stripped paper from the same collection which I thought would do. No more Zebra paper so I used some black and white stripped ribbon from my stash and used it to border the container. My image is #226 Birthday Tilda and here is where the chocolate comes in...first here is my altered container...

I managed to stuff three delicious Chocolate Biscotti with Chocolate icing into the container. I mean, what is a birthday without chocolate???

Fianlly, I had just enough scrap Zebra paper left to decorate the lid with and tie the piece into the rest of ensemble.

Okay, here's my recipe (excluding the images which I have already listed):

DP - Magnolia, unknown maker from stash
CS - Xpress It Blending Card, SU
Distress Ink - weathered wood, tattered rose
Copics:
Skin - E0000, E000, E00, E11, chalk for cheeks
Blonde Hair - E35, Y26, &23
Black Hair - C7, 5, 3, 1
All red clothing/shoes et al - R46, R14, R12
All other clothing - BG70, BG93
Suitcase - E40, 41, 42, 43, gold Spica pen
Cake - E25, 27, 31
Sign post - E35, 34, 31
Flowers - stash
Ribbon - stash
Stickles
Glossy Accents

I hope you're enjoying all the wonderful projects on the Blog hop and that you'll take the time to comment on all the DT blogs. Remember from here you're hopping over to Sharon's blog...

Thanks for hopping along with us as we celebrate Diana's awesome birthday!

Blessings and hugs,

Barb

Take me out to the ball game....

2011-08-20T10:00:00.005-05:00

Well even though the season is more than half way through, I'm quite passionate about following our Texas Ranger's Baseball team. They went to the World Series last year and lost, but they went. That's all that matters. And it looks like their well on their way again this year. My fingers are crossed.

When I saw that there was #206 BASEBALL TILDA in the "Winner Takes All" collection I just had to have her.

You will notice on my sidebar that I have two links for this collection. The first is for the Mini images and the second is for the full sized collection. Diana at Magnolia-licious, has the most complete collections and the best service. She offers in-store credit with purchases which you can spend now or save up and use it in one big shop. Please pop on over to her shop to see all that she has to offer.

Now, on to the card I made. I started with these papers from my stash and I think their from MME but I'm not really sure since I have cut most of my papers into 6X6 pieces. I found cardstock that matches perfectly and got busy pulling my card together.

Here is Baseball Tilda all ready to hit a home run! With me she already has...

I must point out that I used chandelier glass as part of my flower spray but I also add three individual ones to the edge of Tilda's panel. That represents 3 ball/strikes.

A good closeup on batter #1...

A nice view of the flowers. I used the silver ends from the chandelier glass to make some curly ques to add to the arrangement.

A side view...

The inside upper panel of the card. I used chipboard flourishes which I colored with my copic marker and then sprayed with Pearl Perfect Pearls Mist.

I've seen this done on several other cards where you stamp the image again on the inside but just leave it uncolored. I thought I'd give that a try here to see if I liked the effect....the jury is still out on this one!

If you're interested, here is my card recipe:

CS - Bazzill, Cryogen, SU
DP - unknown from stash
Corner adorners - stash
Flowers - Wild Orchid Crafts
Perfect Pearls Mist - Pearl
You are a Winner sentiment - from this collection
Sewing Machine and thread
ScorTape, Mounting Tape, FabriTac, Jewel glue

Copics used -
Skin - E00,000,0000,11 Chalk
Hair - E25,27,30
Bat - E34,35,30
Clothing - BV02,31; E40,41,42,43
Shoes - C3,5; E42,41,40

Well that's all I have for now. Thank you so much for you continued faithfulness following my blog and letting me know what you think of my work...

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

A bit of family news...

2011-08-17T19:50:00.004-05:00

I just thought it was high time to let you all know what's been going on in my life. PLENTY!

First of all, the kids parents arrived on the 6th of August and picked up the children for a whirlwind trip to visit family in Alabama and Florida. I'm sorry I don't have any recent pictures of the kids, life is just so full for us that we forget to take pictures of big events. The parents arrived back here in the wee small hours of Tuesday morning, but had to say their final goodbyes to the children Wednesday afternoon. I'm so thankful that the kids are very well adjusted and happy kids, as their parents departure didn't seem to faze them in the least. Well, perhaps Jordan had a bit of a struggle with is, but he's back to his old VERY energetic self right now. School will start for Jordan on Monday! Kindergarten!! Where has our little boy gone to? The girls will begin Parent's Day Out with a new teacher next Tuesday! They will be going three days a week, so I'm hoping to have a bit more breathing space for my crafting.

My wonderful hubby had an appointment with the Infectious Disease doctor this morning and his blood work is all normal! Woohoo! No signs of infection anywhere in his body.

After our last appointment with his surgeon, the decision was made that he would have his leg amputated. There is just nothing worth the pain and suffering he's going through with a foot that has no leg attached to it except through soft tissue. It was so evident on the CAT scan that there wasn't much left to do. The chance of any kind of recovery to get him fully mobile again by doing a fusion doesn't seem a viable choice. There is so much deterioration in the Tib/Fib area that the percentages were pretty slim. But, the surgeon is quite willing for Bill to wait until next spring after the children leave before we take this final step towards recovery. He has been fitted for an Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO) which should be ready this week. We're hoping that it will realign his leg and foot a little better and be a lot less painful to wear than the boot is. The boot is designed for temporary relief and he's been wearing it for a year.

With all this before us we have also decided to get a second opinion. We have forwarded all Bill's records to a Dr. in Maryland at Johns Hopkins but haven't heard anything back at this point. It will be interesting to see what another Dr. thinks about this severe a trauma. We're pretty sure that he will come to the same conclusion, as several Dr.'s on orthopedics here in Texas have concurred with the trauma Surgeon we're working with.

I've taken a few days from crafting while the children's parents were here, but took some time to reorganize my Mini images in their new home - the wonderful Binder being now sold by Diana in her online store. Mine is now completely filled and it is wonderful!!!! You won't believe just how easy it is and how neat and tidy they are. Wonderful idea Diana had. So then I had to go and clean up my flip book where I catalog all my regular sized Maggies. Now that looks nice and cleaned up too! I'm ready to roll.

So, other than the intense heat/drought we suffering here in Texas, life is moving forward one day at a time with the Grace of God covering our every breath. I'm so thankful for so many online friends who give me support, encouragement, laughter, and warm friendship. You all mean the world to me.

I'll be back posting in several days another creation which is not even a thought in my head as yet. Just need to readjust to the busyness of family life again. (The house was quiet as a tomb while they were gone and everything stayed so clean!)

Blessings and hugs,
Barb

Hip Hip Hooray...

2011-08-15T13:42:00.004-05:00

As many of you already know, I don't work well with bright colors. I've tried and tried, but they just don't inspire me to get creative. Just this past weekend I purchased a 6 X 6 stack of paper by Memory Box called 'brioche'. I did not purchase this pack for the Sour Cherry pages, but for the Cloudy Blues and Buttery Creams. I also received my images from "Winner Takes All" collection from Magnolia-licious. Cute, cute, cute!

I was having a hard time deciding which image I would use first, so I just picked one, AND, I decided to start off with the red hot ones which are called Sour Cherry. I pared these sheets with some YoYo card stock from SU.

Here is my card....

The sentiment is computer generated and placed on a Fancy Label die from Spellbinders.

Here's an angular view of the card...

A side view of the card shows the embossing on the white card stock and the sentiment label is popped on double width of dimensionals. The corners are done using my Cuttlebug dies and the flowers are from my stash.

Here are the Copics I used to color my image -

Skin - E00,000,0000,11, Chalk for cheeks
Hair - C9, 7, 5, 3
Outfit, shoes and pompoms - Y35, 15, 11; R27, 08, 12, E19

Bakers twine
Stardust Stickles

2011-08-12T13:20:00.002-05:00

I am flying around trying to get this card posted before we take off for the weekend! I just loved this unique Tri Shutter type card when I saw it over on Paola Levi's blog a week or so ago. On this link to Paola's she has the template for cutting and scoring this card.

I have used three precious images from Magnolia-licious and you can find them on their links: #249 TILDA WITH GIFTS, #293 TILDA WITH SMALL GIFT, and #294 BALLOON TILDA.

Here is my card partially closed...

Here is the card opened completely. You can see that I added some computer generated birthday wishes to each of the two inside panels.

Here is a side view showing the first part of the birthday wish...

Here is the second part of the birthday wishes...here's a hint - you have to sing it to the tune of "We wish you a Merry Christmas"!

Here's a quick recipe for my card:

CS - SU Sage Shadow and Cryogen White
DP - Melissa Frances from stash
Copics Used -
Skin : E0000,000,00,11 Chalk for cheeks
All Hair - E35, &26, 23
Dresses/hair ribbons/balloon - BG70, 93; RV91,93,95
Boots 0 E35,34,30,31
Buttons - stash
Ribbon - stash
Glossy Accents
Stardust stickles
FabriTac glue and Scortape
Crafters floss

I do appreciate your dropping by to see my new creation. Have and happy and safe weekend.

Blessings and hugs,

Barb

The sky's the limit...

2011-08-08T01:00:00.002-05:00

Hello, hello again! I've had a little extra crafting time so I decided to give coloring on Kraft card stock with Prisma Color Pencils a whirl. I have to admit that I jumped into this before I selected the style of card I wanted to do, what paper I was going to work with and the shape of the image. I'm not exactly thrilled with this card, because the Kraft card stock is so dull compared to using Cryogen or Xpress It Blending Card. The idea for an Easel on Easel card came from Pam Sparks and you can see her wonderful version here. This card was very hard to photograph because of the way the crayon worked against the Kraft! Instead of using mineral spirits I used the Prisma Blending Pencil. I wanted to achieve the pleats and folds and couldn't think of how else to do that.

Here are some pictures of the Easel in an Easel card I did. I used #3020 TILDA WITH KITE from the new Sweet Rainbow collection and created the background with some distress inks and a little chalk. This image is available from Diana here at Magnolia-licious.

In this view, I left the second easel part down so that you could see the full view of the upper easel part...

This artsy view of the card closed really shows better the coloring on the image and the puffy clouds...

Here is a full front view of the card...

Finally here is a side view so that you can see how the two easels work together.

Card Recipe

Card stock - Kraft and Ruby Red from SU
DP - The Paper Studio
Prisma Colored Pencils
Image - Tilda with Kite - Magnolia-licious
Pearls - gift from a friend
Ribbon - retired SU
Charm - stash
Silver cord - stash
Flowers - SU punch
Butterflies - MS punch
Sewing machine and thread
Scor-tape
Mounting tape
Art Glitter adhesive

I so appreciate your dropping in so see my latest creation. I will be back soon with more...

Hugs,
Barb

Cluck cluck cluck...

2011-08-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. Boy have we got a challenge for you this month! You're going to love this one...our very own beloved Diana at Magnolia-licious is the hostess for this challenge and she asked us to make a card using paper only! That's right!!! No ribbon, no pearls, no ready made flowers! Yikes! You know me and my flowers and pearls...this was really a challenge.

So I tried my hand and making some paper flowers and found a great tutorial in one of the Magnolia Ink Mags. and went to town. My first few were not the best, but at least I had the method down pat.

I went looking for paper and found this adorable chicken paper in my Melissa Frances Kitschy Kitchen stack. How perfect! That clinched the deal on which Image I would use so I dug up #383 Oops Tilda with her broken egg . She was absolutely made for this paper. I tried to find the chicken by Magnolia, but no one seemed to have her so I remember a Chicken image from Whipper Snapper which has been on my shelf for over a year. Well it worked out perfectly too! Hip hip hooray! Now I was cooking.

I had seen several tent cards posted lately and I decided to give it a try too. But remembering that I had to use paper only I was a little stumped when I had to figure out a way to attach my sentiment. Usually the image or sentiment is suspended from the top of the tent with a small piece of chain, but of course that was out. Here is a side view of my Tent Card.

In the end, I decided to suspend my computer generated sentiment on a very thin slice of cardstock, fitting it between the two layers of my card front. Perfect!

Here is a close-up of Tilda. She is cut out and popped onto the front with dimensionals. You will notice that I cheated on this card (shame faced) Before I even knew what had happened I had done some sewing on the edges. I hope this doesn't disqualify me!!! :-(
Well lets move on....

Here is a pic of my cute little chicken. He fits so perfectly on this card that I was thrilled to remember him. I added a couple of swirls behind him to finish off that corner of my card.

Next I added my hand made Cabbage Rose made with the same paper and a coordinating one from the same stack. My small flowers were made with my SU punch and the tiny centers were made with my 1/16th in punch. The Marianne Leaf dies completed the setting. I also added a small arrangement of those little flowers in the opposite corner.

Here is an artsy view of the card...

Please drop by the Magnolia-licious Highlites Challenge Blog to see what all the other DT have done with this challenge and get your challenge card made up and entered for a chance to win a fabulous prize from Diana.

Blessing and hugs,
Barb

Phat Fairy Birthday Wishes

2011-07-29T10:42:00.005-05:00

Hi everyone, I have a really fun card to share with you today. She is one of the Phat Fairies from a series from Mo's Digital Pencil. Her images are so fun, and so fabulous to color. This is another one of those images I colored up waaaaay back in December and am just now getting it made into a card. I've had fun playing with the black and white paper, and I realize that I really need to stock up my stash of these as I have so little. I really felt like the black and white would show case this lovely gal perfectly.

I wanted to make a Criss Cross card, but I wanted it to open to revel the birthday message inside. So rather than gluing the front panels down and using a removable insert I simply added a belly band which slides off the left side of the card.

Here is the card with the belly band off - and you can see that it doesn't stay closed by itself...

Here is the card opened. I put a SU sentiment in the center and added pearls to the scalloped areas, then on the right side of the card I used a pearl swirl to take the eye up to the back of the image panel...

On this panel I made a small bow with my marvelous Bow Easy and added a little magic wand charm. A few pearls in the center of the circles on the dp to finish off this side of the card...

Here's a closer look at the pearl swirls...

I will be a little out of pocket next week and I'm having a minor surgical procedure done on Monday. I'm sure to be down for just a day or two and then right back into the fray! I do have a card posting on Monday for the August Magnolia-licious Highlites challenge so please drop back to see what I've done.

Blessing and hugs...
Barb

Another Mini Note book

2011-07-25T16:17:00.003-05:00

While cleaning up the bit of a mess on my crafting table I found this other little Mini Notebook under a pile of 'stuff'. So I sat down and pulled it together into a decorated note book us #241 DANCING PARTY TILDA in the mini version of course.

She is colored with copic markers and I used a MS punch around the page for her backing. The sentiment is from Art by Moonlight. Hope you'll enjoy seeing all the fun stuff I'm coming up with for my ETSY shop or just to send as small token gifts of thanks.

Thanks again for stopping by....hugs...
Barb

A busy weekend...

2011-07-25T01:00:00.000-05:00

After finishing another card for an upcoming challenge, I got busy this weekend making some more of those sweet little Mini Tissue Boxes. This time instead of gluing down the sides to the box, I actually made a box that would slide over the top of the box. When the tissues are gone, just replace it.

I have to admit that I struggled a little making up my first box. I'm useless with math, and trying to get the lid to be the right size for the box put me out of my comfort zone. But I finally got it down and decided to keep going with a second and third before I forgot my formula.

Here is the first cover I made. It's quite plain, even though I embossed the top and used a Nelly Snellen die for the tissue outlet and sponged the edges of the lid, but I didn't want to distract from the sweet images. I call this one Tilda Around the World. I used four images
#229 Mini Cowgirl Tilda, #303 Mini Spanish Tilda, #332 Mini India Tilda and #290 Mini Chinese Tilda. All of these images are available from Diana at the Magnolia-licious online store. Just click on the link above and it will take you to the home page.

Then I wanted to get girly and fussy so I made another Mini Tissue Box Cover using SU Shimmer White for the top and Pirouette Pink (or Bazzill facsimile) for the bottom. I again embossed the top and also embossed the die cut piece around the tissue opening. I then cut two more of those openings and embossed them and used them on two sides of the box. I decorated those ovals with some pretty flowers from Wild Orchid Crafts. I used my Marianne Dies for the leaves and then decided to make this little box a birthday theme. So I used#294 Mini Tilda with a Balloon and #233 Congratulations Tilda for the remaining opposite sides. As you can see soft pink, soft yellow and white are the theme here.

For my final Mini Tissue Box cover I went with a Christmas theme. This box took me forever to pull together and it's the least favorite of them all. I started out with Cherry Cobbler and Old Olive Card stock for the box and once I got it put together I didn't like it at all. Rather than throw it out I walked away from it for a while. Then my dear hubby suggested that I use some Christmas dp to cover the sides with. Oh, thought I, that just might work. So I sorted through my horde of Christmas dp and decided that most of it was much to busy to really work with the images. In the end I found this plaid which I thought worked quite well. So I covered the side and applied my images. Hmmmmm, still not happy with that, so I took the oval die cut off the top and redid it in the plaid. Okay, that works better! I added some pearls to it and really liked that, but the box was still too plain. I dug through my cut ribbon box and found some nice Christmasy red ric rak and glued it to the edge of the top....okay, now we're cooking. Then I added the tinest of pearls around the scallops of each image and put a larger pearl along the top of the ric rak. Okay, I better leave it alone now...leave well enough alone.

Then I pulled out another little notebook that has it's own little pen and covered it with some pretty dp from a 6X6 stack called Rose Garden by Papermania. Then I colored with sweet Tilda #3011 Tilda with Straw Hat also available from Diana at Magnolia-licious. Rather than covering that pretty paper with a mat and then Tilda, I cut Tilda out and glued her directly to the paper. It works for me!

So that's what has kept me going through this exceptionally hot weekend. All of the items will be available in my ETSY shop. The kids were well behaved, I had a visit from my friend and even took a nap this afternoon. Thanks for stopping by my blog, it's so much appreciated...
Hugs and blessings,
Barb

Here is Bill's leg...

2011-07-23T11:08:00.003-05:00

Last night my hubby took some photos of his leg to send to his family. Every one is in agreement that he needs his foot amputated and the sooner the better. He still needs some time to deal with his emotions, and that's good!

He took these photos himself and they don't really show just how misshaped the ankle really is. His leg is moving to the left and each time he takes a step you can see the bone shift to the left.
If you squeamish, please stop now and don't look. The rash is quite evident around his previous incision area and it weeps serous fluid. I'm so afraid that infection will set in again and then it will be emergency surgery. It's so hard to bite my tongue while he struggles with coming to acceptance. This is his decision and his alone...

This is a photo of the incision area over the interior aspect of his leg and ankle. You can see how swollen the ankle and foot are...

This is looking straight down at the foot. Can you see how the leg veers to the left just above the ankle. That part of his Fibula is dying and won't heal.

Lastly, this photo shoes him standing on his foot with just barely any pressure. You can really see the swelling in the right part of his ankle, but also just how far to the left his leg bones have moved. There is little attachment at that juncture.

So many of you are praying for us during this difficult time and I'm so very thankful for you all. Even though I don't have the time to answer each of you in return, please know that our gratitude is huge and we can feel the power of your prayers. Thank you so much...

Blessings,
Barb

I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist....

2011-07-21T22:19:00.003-05:00

Catching the right moments with the kids is often very hard to do. I'm usually busy with laundry, preparing meals, crafting, or they are just too active to capture the moment. After posting my Potty training card (scroll down) I managed to grab my camera while Brielle was running to her potty chair. Of course both girls are in that independent time of life. They have to do EVERYTHING by themselves. That includes pulling down and pulling up their pants and using the toilet paper and flushing. Turning on a light is impossible for anyone but Josslyn these days. She gets her little chair and runs from room to room turning on and off lights. I'm tellin' ya! These two are a handful!!!

So here is the moment I was able to capture with Brielle while I was getting dinner organized...

I need some toilet paper Grammie...

All done..."I do it, I do it!"

It's potty time at our house, so......

2011-07-21T11:25:00.004-05:00

I absolutely could not resist this darling image from Mo's Digital Pencil. There were four images in the sequence, but this one is so right on for what we're dealing with at our house. This is a familiar sight every day, multiple times a day *grin*.

This is a Double Easel card, which I'm loving to pieces. I found this idea over on Pam Sparks blog and it's the second card I've made using this layout. Your make a regular easel card, mine is 6 X 12 and then add another Easel card 6X6 and add it to the front portion of the larger one. The smaller one works as a stopper for the larger one and you just add some decoration as the stopper for the smaller one.

Here is a side view so that you get what I'm talking about...

Here is the front of the card, fully open...

Here is the card when you close it up for mailing. Because of the dimensional things inside it won't lie completely flat, but you get the idea...

This is a close up of my sweet little image! Coloring Ethnic skin colors is a bit of a challenge for me, and I worked hard to get it just right. Still she is a little darker than the twins, but just as cute...

This is an angle view showing how I decorated the smaller Easel card even on the back...

Lastly I had a very hard time coming up with an appropriate sentiment for her. I had lots of input from my hubby, but I didn't want to say anything too inappropriate. In the end I chose these sentiment from The Cutting Cafe and I think it works well with the image.

Thanks so much for visiting me again. Your comments really make blogging so much fun!

Hugs,
Barb

Another update on hubby...

2011-07-20T10:18:00.002-05:00

I wish I had wonderful news to share with everyone about my hubby's leg, but after a CT scan and a visit to the Orthopedist yesterday, he came home with devastating news. We're still trying to wrap our minds around our two options. Firstly the doctor told him that this leg was never going to heal. There was just too much trauma to the bone and too much missing cartilage for the leg to ever be normal. His first option is to go in and fuse the foot and ankle, and he gave that an 85% chance of doing the job, but the continued risk of infection is high and that the bones won't hold the fusion because they are already so damaged is a real possibility. His other option is to amputate from the mid calf down. We know that's the option we have to pick, but it's so difficult to wrap our heads around that at this point. Our choice is when to do the surgery. Bill want's to wait until after the children leave next April or May, but that means he will struggle along with pain, swelling, constantly have to lay down and give his foot a break. After the amputation he will be fitted with a prosthetic leg and I believe life would get back to much more normal for us. He's been down now for almost a year, has five surgeries behind him, contract MRSA and spent nearly a week in ICU. I'm very weary of dealing with all the set backs and he is too. I would so appreciate your prayer support during this difficult time of making the right decision and picking the right time...

Hugs,
Barb

Thinking of you...

2011-07-19T01:00:00.001-05:00

This card has sold already!! Just three days after I made it! Let me explain how I came up with this sketch. In my hall way hangs a portrait of my hubby and I with the three kids. The larger photo at the top is of the five of us. Underneath is one small photo of each of the kids. I must walk past that photo a kazillion times a day and it just struck me that I could really use that layout on a card. Once again I've used this darling Lying Tilda.

So here is my card...

I had tons of fun working on this card too! I love this image of Tilda. She is #264 LYING TILDA. Isn't she just adorable? I love the way she can be used to come off a card and gives so much interest to the card. Then below her I have used some Mini images. #3021 MINI TILDA WITH PONY TAIL, #3280 MINI TILDA WITH STRIPED TIGHTS AND #3321 MINI DREAMY TILDA. All of these images are available from Diana at Magnolia-licious

Here is a close up of Lying Tilda so you can see how I colored her clothing. I'm learning so much about coloring the pleats and folds. Practice makes perfect they say!

Here is a closer view of my flower arrangement in the corner. I tucked in a Melissa Frances Corner adornment just under the flowers to kind of finish every thing off.

I didn't take individual pictures of the Mini Tilda's because you can enlarge any of my photos and see them up close and personal if you'd like. So here's a picture of the three of them together...

On the inside of the card I used a computer generated sentiment which reads "Just having one of those 'thinking of you' days". Then I stamped off Lying Tilda again and popped her into the corner of the notation panel. A little Sizzix corner die completes the rather simple inside.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for stopping by and taking time out of your busy day to visit me.

Hugs,
Barb

Beach, Barbecues/Picnics and/or Fishing Blog Hop

2011-07-18T01:00:00.002-05:00

Welcome to our Summer Bash Blog Hop! This month we've combined the talents of both the Magnolia-licious Highlites DT and the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog DT. You will find the complete directions on how to enter over on the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog.

If you've hopped over here from Mindy's blog your right on track. If you've just popped in here, please go back to the beginning, which is Sharon's blog, and then follow along from there. I'm telling ya, the projects created for this Hop are outstanding and you'll want to get inspired! From here your headed for Angela's blog where you'll pick up another letter. Please be sure to read down to the bottom of this post for the letter you will need to complete the sentence.

Here is the card I made for the hop. I chose an ocean theme, and technically you can't have a beach without an ocean, so I'm close!!! I have a lot of pictures to show you and I hope not to bog you down too much. I decided to make a center step card and I found this awesome paper recently during a clean up. I have no idea who made it, as the edge was cut off. I have used several images on this card so stick with me while I list them all out. Here on the front I've used 5 images...#237 BEACH TILDA, #612 BATHING RING,#367 TILDA SWIMMING (all from the 2009 Summer Collection). The little fish swimming in the waves was an image someone stamped for me years ago and I have no idea what his number is. I also used # 432 SEAWEED from the Bon Voyage Collection.

Here is a side view of the card so you can see how it sits. I've used mounting tape behind Tilda and behind the waves for dimension.

On the inside of the card I used another Tilda image #3057 TILDA SURFING and another little fish. Dew drops were used all over this card for bubbles. The waves are made with my Fiskars Bordering Waves punch. The sentiment is one that I made up and computer generated.

Here is a closer look at Tilda Surfing. All my images were colored with Copic Markers and the backgrounds were done with Distress Inks. Stickles were added to the waves, water and the little fish.

Here is a closer look of the fish on the inside of the card. The little one on the front of the card was colored the same.

Whew! You've made it to the end of my post and now it's time to reveal my letter. "M" is what you're needing to help complete your sentence. It's time now to hop on over to Angela's blog, I hope you'll enjoy the rest of your journey.

Hugs,
Barb

Belated Birthday....

2011-07-14T21:01:00.004-05:00

Hello blogging friends. I'm back today with another card, but this time it's a Digital Image from Mo's Digital Pencil. She is called "Two Jill". Believe me, with twin 3 year olds around the house I see this pose on a regular basis, usually followed by a flow of tears!

I needed something to do last night, since I had finished a card which is scheduled to post later this month, and it was late and I didn't think I'd have time to get much done. But in the end, I went surfing some challenge blogs for a sketch and found this awesome sketch on CLP. The DT entries are mouth watering so I decided to see if I could pull something together.

Back in December, when I was helping my daughter through a rough patch in her life, I colored up a bunch of images - most of which still need to be made into cards. I ran across this sweet image and then went digging for some paper. Since I went through my marathon paper clean up a week or so ago, I have a ton of paper already cut into 6X6 pieces. So now I don't have the name of the paper or the company who makes it, and I didn't keep track of the copics I used either.

Anyway...here is my card front and my entry into the CLP July challenge...

Here is a close up of my image. I can't believe how much I've grown in my coloring in just a few months...

I always try to repeat some of my design elements on the inside of my card. Of course the paper is a repeat, but I also used more rhinestones around my Marianne Design doily die.

Well that's it! I've had a marathon of a day and I'm ready to retire to watch the Ranger's play against Seattle.

Thanks for dropping by :-)

Hugs,
Barb

Matchbook notebooks...

2011-07-11T21:21:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm really on a roll for altering stuff. Here are two little Matchbook type notebooks that worked up so quickly I surprised myself!

I've really got to get back making some cards again as my shelves are getting full with small altered items. Here is the first one I made...I used some Magnolia paper which I've had sitting around for ages and #340 Fairy Dust Tilda. The ribbon is from SU and retired years ago

My second little notebook was made with some scrap paper from my bin and I used #321 Hello Little Butterfly for my image. I trimmed the scalloped area with some very tiny pearls...

Here they are together...

Here is how they open. The top just slips into the fold at the bottom. Inside there is a little note pad which is lined and ready to have your message jotted down!

I so appreciate your taking the time to visit my blog and for the encouraging comments you leave me.

Hugs,
Barb

Mini Tissue Box

2011-07-11T01:00:00.001-05:00

I'm back with another sweet altered project for you, using several Mini's and a little Mini Tissue Box. There is a theme for this little box, and if you follow the pictures in order you will see that it is a garden theme. All of these images are available from Diana at Magnolia-licious.

On this first panel I have used #253 GARDEN TILDA who is digging up her flower beds in preparation for the planting.

This next panel is #324 SEEDING TILDA. She needs to get her seeds into the soil before the summer rains come...

The third panel is #3035 TILDA IN SUMMER RAIN. She is all ready with her umbrella and rubber boots to ward off the rains...

The final panel is #3005 RUBBER BOOTS TILDA. I don't see her at the moment, so I suppose Diana is out of her. If you ask I know she will work her magic to get the image in stock again. She is doing the happy dance that her garden is ready to harvest a bounty of beautiful flowers.

Finally, there is the bounty of flowers atop the pearl encased top of the tissue box. Pretty flowers and rose buds festoon the lid allowing the space in the center to pull out the tissues.

This was a fun project to do and I hope it will adorn someones desk or crafting table somewhere and brighten their day.

Thanks for stopping in to see my latest project.

Hugs,
Barb

I'm having Notebook mania here....

2011-07-06T15:00:00.003-05:00

Hello all, I'm back today with another altered Mini Notebook, this time using #3032 WATER CAN TILDA. She is just so sweet and how easy she was to color up to adorn my notebook with. She is available here at Diana's Magnolia-licious shop. This whole collection is fabulous and I'm loving the versatility each image has.

This little notebook is in my Etsy shop for a very reasonable price. I've already sold several items since I opened it up, so that's been pretty exciting.

Here is my notebook....

That's it for today. I've had a sick baby home but she is doing much better today. I'll be back soon with more creations soon!

Hugs,
Barb

Altered.....

2011-07-04T10:51:00.005-05:00

Over this long weekend we've been quite busy, visiting with family and swimming and eating out! It's been a blast. I did however manage to get just a few small items altered and I am going to be putting them up for sale in my ETSY shop. You can check them out in my side bar.

Since these are small items, it didn't take me long to finish them up. I've done two bookmarks using jumbo paper clips that I've had for a few years. The other is a small note book with pen you can slip into your purse, it's a perfect size.

So here are my items...

#3021 TILDA WITH PONY TAIL

#250 TILDA WITH BUTTERFLY DRESS

#259 KNEELING TILDA

Well, that's it - a very short post. I hope you'll be inspired to alter some items for yourself and give them for gifts or just enjoy them for yourself...

Hugs,
Barb