Happy Birthday Christine - the Main Event!!!

Happy Sundae - a second time!  This time I'll be sharing with you a true labour of love - a ribbon box I've decorated full of Tildas for Christine.  I don't think I have ever spent as much time on any one project as I have this one.  It all started with a trip to my local scrapbook store, Scrap and Bean, where I made the mistake of asking "Do you have any ribbon storage ideas?".  Kathy, the owner, kindly introduced me to Kaiser Kraft's All Purpose Box.  (Warning - you might want to grab a cup of tea because this post is long!!!) 

Kathy had a wonderful selection of Bo Bunny papers from the Gabrielle collection which I used to decorate the box after I painted the whole box a light ivory.

The top of the box features a butterfly which I cut out from one of the Bo Bunney papers, metal embellishments from K & Company, unknown brown lace, and two Tildas:

Lovely Tilda

Copic Details:
Dress R000/R11/R12

Tilda with Peony

Colic Details:
Dress BG0000/BG10/BG72/BG75
Lace E40/E43/E44
Shoes E71/E74/E77/E79
Flower R0000/R11/R12 Y17 YG61/YG63
Hair E50/E55/E57/E59

A close up of the right side of the box:

Sitting Angel Tilda

Wings BG000/BG10
Dress E50/E53/E55/E57
Tights E40/E41/E43 BG10/BG72/BG75
Hair Y23/YR21/YR12/YR14

The left side of the box features Stardust Tilda:

Copic Details
Hair W5/W7/W8/W9
Outfit YG91/YG93/YG97
Trim E40/E41

And the front of the box features one of my extremely few minis, Mini Tilda with Many Hearts, and a sentiment from Paper Makeup Stamps:

Copic Details
Hair E50/Y21/Y26/Y28
Hearts R000/R11/R12
Dress BG0000/BG10/BG72
Shoes E41/E43/E44

Alternate views of the box, including a peek at the inside contents - 40 different ribbons for my best friend's fortieth birthday!

To go with this box I have 40 sheets of Bazzill cardstock - each in a different colour! 
This box will be entered into the following challenges:
Magnolia Down Under - Your Favorite Things (hmmm...my best friend, her birthday, making presents, Tilda, Tilda, and more Tildas!)
Just Magnolia and hAnglar & stAnglar - Make It Lacy (brown lace on the top of the box)

Thank you for looking!  Check out the details of Cards for Christine for your chance to win one of two $20 gift certificate to a store of your choice!!!

Happy Easter Tilda

Yesterday it dawned on me that I have all these gorgeous Easter stamps and papers - and I don't think I've done even one Easter card this year!  Out came a brand new piece of Xpress It cardstock and I stamped various Magnolia images and I settled in to enjoy a night of colouring on the couch next to my sick daughter.  Luck was not with me last night.  I managed to be just adding the final touches to my image, when my brand new copic marker decided to let out a drop of ink!  ARGH!  So, there went Tilda and her Bunny...and I moved on to Tilda holding egg basket:

Once again during the final touches on her basket, my copic marker (this time a different colour!) let out a drop of ink.  Hmmm.  Is someone trying to tell me I need to clean my house and not colour?  NAH!  Although I am finding the switch from Paper Trey Ink cardstock to Xpress It extremely difficult - any advice is greatly appreciated!

I embossed the sentiment on the front with Stampin' Up! black embossing powder and I followed the sketch at Card Patterns for a chance to win a gift certificate to Paper Makeup Stamps.

This gorgeous paper is from Kaiser Kraft and you will see it again tomorrow for my Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog creation!  I kept the inside simple although I did stitch along the edges of the patterned paper. 

This card will be entered into the following challenges:

Cupcake Crafts - Lots of Layers (I have four)

Papertake Weekly - Spots N Stripes

Simon Says - Emboss It!

7 Kids College Fund - Easter & Spring

Craft Your Days Away - Easter

Crazy 4 Challenges - Easter

Thank you for looking!  Remember to check out the details of my blog candy here!

Shy Edwin In Love

Happy Sunday!  This week on Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog we are asking you to use two or more images - this can be a combination of two or more main images, background images, furniture, or even accessory stamps.  For my card I used four of the stamps I just received last week from Diana at Magnolia-licious - and three are from the brand new "You Are So Special" collection!   Meet Shy Rose Edwin and his love, Tilda with Big Ribbon: 

The background stamp is Romantic Window from the new collection and Tilda is sitting on Old Bench.  The papers are from my stash and they are at least a year old - if not two!  The collection is from Making Memories and not only did I buy the papers, but I also bought the matching die cuts, ribbons, notepad, and brads.   

I coloured the images with a combination of copic markers, Koh-I-Noor coloured pencils, and Stampin' Up! chalks.  The trim on Tilda's dress, undershorts, and socks have been treated to Stampin' Up! dazzling diamonds.

Copic Details

Skin E0000/000/00

Edwin's hair T05/06/07/08/09

Edwin's shirt R22/24/27/29/59

Jeans B91/93/95/97

Shoes T03/05/07

Tilda's hair Y23/YR21/YR12/YR14

Tilda's dress/ribbon R81/83/85/59

Tilda's socks/trim R000/01

Bench E31/33/35

Wall E40/E41

Bricks E43/E44

Windows T0/E41/E43/R01/R11/R81

Shy Edwin in Love will be entered into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes with optional flowers (image)

Simon Says Stamp - Love Is In the Air

7 Kids College Fund - I {heart} you

Just Magnolia and hAnglar & stAnglar - Anything Goes with optional ribbon 

Secret Crafter Saturday - Valentine 

Sugar Creek Hollow - February sketch

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Glitter

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing your creations!

A Sneaky Tilda for My Daughter

The Merry Little Christmas Collection from Magnolia this year is fantastic!  One of my first purchases from this collection from Diana at Magnolia-licious was this beauty, Sneaky Tilda:

After making a card last week for my son, my daughter started insisting that I make one for her too!  My little princess loves the colour purple so this paper from the Bo Bunny Winter Joy collection is perfect.  The layout design of the card is from Sketch Saturday.

I used Stampin' Up! Dazzling Diamonds on the edge of the image, the sentiments, and the paper on the inside of the card.  There are two clear snowflakes on the front of the card that are difficult to photograph but you can see them on the close-up of the image:

The sentiments used are from Whiff of Joy (thanks Christine!). 

I am writing this post at work right now as I had it scheduled and fell asleep before I wrote it up last night.  I will add the copic details tonight from home!  I am excited to report that Diana mailed my pre-order of Christmas Maggies on Thursday last week and I received it this past Monday - just two business days later! I am looking forward to colouring and sharing the rest of the images!

I will be entering Sneaky Tilda into the following challenges:

Just Magnolia - Anything Goes

A Spoon Full of Sugar - Snow/Snowflakes

Thank you for looking!

An Elegantly Simple Tilda

Last week I found some time to play with one of my new Tildas from Diana at Magnolia-licious.  I bought this paper from the Lush Collection by Kaisercraft specifically for Chinese Tilda. 

Diana is currently taking pre-orders for A Merry Little Christmas 2010 - I placed mine last week!  The sketch is from a challenge blog a couple weeks ago, when I find the sketch I'll add the details so the correct individual can get credit for this lovely design.

I popped up Tilda and the diecut behind her with foam squares to add dimension.  I added a black velvet ribbon for dramatic contrast and the soft texture.

Copic Details

Skin E000/E00/R01

Dress YR00/YR02/R02/R08  E25  E41/E43

Hair T04/T06/T08

Umbrella E41/E43  E31/E33/E35

Shoes E41/E31  E25/E27

Thank you for looking!  There is still one day left to enter the Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog design team call.  For all the details click here.

Mixing Mediums with Tilda On The Go

Happy Monday!  I'm taking a break from sitting in ICU at the hospital with my aunt to post a card for Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog.  This week's challenge is one of my absolute favorites - mixed medium! 

When I took my colouring class at My Creative Classroom, my instructor Colleen Schaan taught us how to add shadows on images coloured with copics by using coloured pencils.  Also how to add grass and grounding on the image by using coloured pencils.  Chalks are great for adding some interest to the background or adding blush to cheeks.  Mixed medium is the result any time you use more than one colouring medium on an image - copics, coloured pencils, watercolour paints, distress ink, chalks, etc. 

This week I am using one of my brand new Bon Voyage Magnolias from Diana at Magnolia-licious.

Tilda was first coloured with copic markers.  Then I added some depth to the shadows and added grounding with my Lyra coloured pencils.  I used chalk to mute the white background and add blush to Tilda's cheeks.

I followed the sketch at Sketch Saturday - thanks Jeanette for another gorgeous sketch!  Tilda On the Go will also be entered into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp! - pearls and lace

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - fall colours (muted brown roses, golden shirt, muted blue dress)

Just Magnolia - anything goes

Stamp and Create - pearls and gems (flower spacers and pearls both from Stamp and Create)

Bunny Zoe's - vintage

Stampin' for the Weekend - vintage

All That Scraps - lace

Thank you for looking!  I look forward to seeing your mixed medium creation on Paper Sundaes!

A Magnolia-licious Paper Sundaes Challenge!

Happy Sunday!  This week was an extremely exciting one - got my first pay cheque at my amazing new job - bought three new appliances - got a new six month old puppy - and got to play with Tilda!  This week's sponsor at Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog is Diana from Magnolia-licious who is offering the random winner their choice of one Magnolia image.  The challenge this week is to create an easel card.  I happily took up this challenge with my new Magnolias and new Kioshi paper pack!

Tilda shines in a sparkly pink dress and I continue to challenge myself with copic colouring by once again attempting dark flowing hair.

I designed the card to showcase all the Magnolia images whether it was popped up or laying flat. 

My trick to taking a nice picture with the front flat - adhesive!  I quickly snap the photo and then remove the adhesive tape before it gets a chance to permanently set.

I look forward to seeing your easel card on the Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog!

My easel card will also be entered into the following challenges:

Papertake Weekly - Shiny, Sparkly, and Special

Cute Card Thursday - For someone special (my Mom)

Just Magnolia - One for the girls

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Make It Dimensional

Thank you for looking!

Fairy Tale Tilda

***Please scroll down for Karen's Doodles post***

Tomorrow marks the release on video of Disney's The Princess and The Frog which is a MUST for my collection.  It was the first movie hubby and I ever took our daughter too.  Unfortunately we learned from that experience that she will not sit through a movie in the theatre - at home, yes, at the theatre, definately NOT!  So in celebration, I have to share with you tonight, Fairy Tale Tilda which I ordered from Magnolia-licious.  She arrived less than a week after I ordered her - I was so impressed with Diana...and Canada Post.  My daughter decided that she needed to wear a yellow dress and I coloured her hair to match my little princess.

I used my precious Wild Orchid flowers for this card, but then, nothing but the best for Tilda!  This week's challenge at Lili of the Valley is easel cards, so:

Ta Da!  I love this image so it was easy to decide that she needed to be showcased in an easel card.  The sketch on the front is this week's challenge at Friday Sketchers and she was coloured with my beloved copics using both the caucasian skin and red hair techniques from Copic Creations.  Tilda will also be entered into the challenges at Cute Card Thursday (celebrations - birthday should count), Fussy and Fancy (green), Cupcake Crafts (going green), and The Pink Elephant (spring - colours).  Wow, Tilda should be happy with that list!

Thank you for looking!  I'll have a special surprise for you tomorrow...one of my new stamps from hAnglar & stAnglar!  I look forward to seeing you again! 

Sorry Shanna and Sweet Tilda

If you want to draw attention to your colouring skills, then the current challenge at Mo's is perfect.  With absolutely NO layers and only ribbon as embellishment, the eye has no where to go except the image you've coloured.  For this challenge I chose Sorry Shanna - a namesake of mine (just kidding!).  My daughter thought she was so beautiful and when I told her the name of the image, there was no stopping her demands until Shanna fell into my basket and was printed for my little princess.

It dawned on me as I anxiously await for the 2010 Magnolia releases at Magnolia-licious, that it has been ages since I've coloured a Tilda!  Oh, my poor heart.  So I quickly grabbed Sweet Tilda and coloured her with copic markers.  Then following the current sketch at Just Magnolia, I used my favorite Magenta paper and roses from Wild Orchids and put together this:

The sentiment on the front is from Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps, however the one on the inside is from Paper Makeup Stamps.

Remember to check out this week's distressing challenge at Paper Sundaes Challenge Blog for your chance to win two Bildmalarna stamps from Paper Jewels!

Thanks for looking!

Details will be posted later

2009 Favorite Card of the Year

Although I have been card making for over five years, I have only been posting my creations for a little over two months which made it easy to pick my favorite from 2009.  After nearly losing my husband in 2008, I designed a card this past Thanksgiving celebrating him and life with him.  The card turned out beautifully and has tremendous sentimental value as you can well imagine.

It was also my very first easel card.

The fabulous design team at Quixotic Challenges have posted their favorites of 2009 and are offering blog candy for sharing your favorite card of the past year.

Check out their challenge blog and blog candy here!

Thank you for looking and I'll post a new creation tomorrow!

Happy New Year My Son, My Moon and My Stars!

Ever since my son was a baby, I have called him "my son, my moon, and my stars".  When Magnolia-licious Highlites set this month's challenge as any shape except the normal rectangle or square, I struggled against the obvious circle and stumbled across star.  I was already colouring a new Magnolia image I received for Christmas and the rest of the card elements just came together from there.  So here is my New Year's card for my darling son!

My appologies to the fabulous Magnolia artist as I cut off her lizard's tongue.  My son's pet bearded dragon loves to ride on his shoulders and while Drago does have a tongue, he doesn't show it often.  The star shape was cut with the Cricut and a sun has been stitched on top of the stars.  On the inside, I stitched a moon and added smaller stars cut with the Cricut.

The new challenge at Roses on Paper is to use your favorite colouring medium which for me is the equivalent of picking between my son and daughter!  I hope they'll settle for picking my favorite coloured pencils - Lyra.  Several challenge blogs are focused on a New Year's theme - Everybody Art Challenge, Cute Card Thursday, Simon Says Challenge, and Stampavie and More so I will be entering Happy New Year Edwin in those as well.

Thank you for stopping by to look!

Details

Stamps: Magnolia Edwin with Lizard

Paper: Basic Grey Lime Rickey

Ink: Memento Black, Color Box chalk cats eye Creamy Brown

Embellishments: J & P Coats and DMC embroidery thread,

Tools: Cricut, Dymo label maker

A Tilda for my Sweetie

After a day of cleaning, this evening after tucking the monsters in bed, I finished up a Christmas card for my darling husband.  Following the sketch at a Spoon Full of Sugar and the colour challenge at Roses on Paper, I put together this darling card with Tilda from the new winter kit (Thanks Christine!).

Tilda will also be entered into the current challenge at Quixotic (lace).  Tilda was coloured with copics and  white gel pen was used to finish her earrings and place a dot on each cheek.

Thank you for looking!

Details

Stamps: Magnolia, Close to My Heart (sentiment and heart)

Paper: Stampin' Up!

Ink: Memento, Versamark

Embellishments: lace, Kaiser Pearls, Martha Stewart border punch, Spellbinders, copics, gold embossing powder

The Kindness of Others

The majority of my cards do not have a recipient already picked before they are finished so this card is extra special.  One day as I was frantically trying to locate my son in the boot room, his teacher reassured me that my son could never slip out undetected.  Not only does she watch out for him, but also the other teacher whose class shares the same boot room watches for him too - that she has "adopted" him as one of hers given his tardy nature of dressing and undressing.  Sadly, I don't know this teacher's name, but this card is for her.  Her kindness provides relief to my hectic day and reminds me that others do care.

This lovely angel happens to teach the grade one Logos program at my son's school which encouraged me to use my new Close to My Heart Christmas sentiment set both on the outside and inside of the card.

This card will be accompanied by Candy Cane Brownie mix and a thank you note. 

Mercy Kerin created the amazing sketch for Flutter By Wednesday which was used for the front of this card.  Tilda will be entered in three challenges - Flutter By Wednesday, Pink Elephant, and Simon Says Challenge.

Thank you for looking!

Details

Stamps: Magnolia, Close to My Heart

Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up, Versamark

Paper: SU cardstock, Making Memories Mistletoe

Embellishments: Copics, smooch ink, stickles, Kaiser pearls, Prima flowers, Martha Stewart branch punch, Stampin' Up dazzling diamonds and ribbon

A Magnolia Sunday

I am extremely excited to show you my creations that I worked on this past week.  Both are the ever fabulous Tilda and I am surprised to report that they are *MY* own designs!!!  Generally I follow a sketch but for these, I actually stretched my imagination and created art.  First up is a beautiful Christmas card which I will be entering in the challenges at Cupcake Crafts, Secret Crafter, Cute Card Thursday, Roses on Paper, and Charisma Cardz.

I continued my creativity to the inside:

I nearly lost my husband, who was only 36 years old at the time, right before Thanksgiving last year, and as such I am extremely grateful to have him here beside me today.  I created the following card for him.

Alternate view:

I am entering this beauty at Everybody-Art-Challenge and The Pink Elephant Challenge because as I mentioned this card was created for my husband to express my gratitude at his being here.

Details for Reply Requested Tilda:

Stamps: Magnolia, Close to My Heart (sentiments)

Paper: My Mind's Eye Colorful Christmas and Stampin' Up cardstock

Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up

Embellishments: Martha Stewart punch, Nestabilities, Cuttlebug dies, Stampin' Up brads, dazzling diamonds, and rub-ons, stickles, copics, sewing machine

Details for Happiness is You Tilda:

Stamps: Magnolia, Close to My Heart (you)

Paper: Bo Bunny from their Abbey Road line, Stampin' Up cardstock

Ink: Memento, Stampin' Up, Color Box chalk ink

Embellishments: Nestabilities, unknown lace (dyed in tea), Stampin' Up brads and hardware, Tim Holtz key, ribbon from stash, silk flowers from Michaels, Lyra coloured pencils

I am madly creating my submissions for the Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps guest designer call but I will continue to enter challenges throughout the week - so check back often.  I still have to introduce you to Francesca and Charlotte from the Moonlight Whispers line at Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps!

Thank you for looking!