Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Magnolia Tilda Diaper Fold Cards


Hello Dearest Readers,

Happy Tuesday to each of you! I hope this post finds each of you well and happy!

Have you been to Magnolia-licious lately? Make sure you check out the new "A Lovely Christmas" Collection. It is so sweet! The accessory stamps are SO versatile, too! They are a great investment because you can use them with so many other themes. Check them out by clicking the link above.

Being of Italian heritage, you KNOW I flipped when I saw the Little Italy Collection! I mean, pizza, olive branches (thinking pizza with olive oil and mozzarella, LOL), and our little artiste, Edwin! They are sooooo cute! I've been busy with those little images.

Today is Team B's turn to reveal their inspiration cards for the

Fancy Folds Challenge


I don't do fold variations, so this was a challenge for me. I have to admit that the first card I did wound up in the trash - after it was completely finished!!!! It looked like a six year old did it. It was my first, futile, attempt at a swing card. So, back to the drawing board I went. What I came up with was a shape called the diaper fold card. I found the most wonderful tutorial, here! It was a "no brainer" for me - just what I needed! Here are two cards that I made using that particular fold. I made two sizes. The first card was made with a seven inch square piece of double sided paper. Here are the shots:







The next card was made with an 11 inch square of double sided paper. I did like the finished size after thinking it might turn out too big. Here it is:







You know, one the the plusses for this card shape design is that the pouch can old goodies! It's perfect for little presents in addition to a personal note! Who knew? Do you like it? Would you use this particular shape? I think it is functional AND a help when having a time issue!

I used Edwin with Christmas Lantern from the Christmas 2015 collection. Tilda is from the Christmas 2014 collection and is called Waiting for Christmas Tilda. I used double sided papers, red velvet paper, and red foil card stock from my stash. The So Wrapped Snowflake Tag Doohickey Die was put to good use as well as the icicle and leaf sprig dies from the No. 7 Christmas Doohickey Kit. There's a doohickey eyelet border on both cards, but I do not know its official name. It's one I've had for many years. From the Vol. 2 Doohickey Kit, I chose to use the evergreen needles die. The poinsettia die was not from one of the Doohickey Kits. It's one you purchase individually.

I hope you got some inspiration from my cards. These are SO much better than the swing card I attempted to make!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Magnolia Tilda With Branches Thanksgiving Card


Hello Dearest Readers,

I hope this post finds you enjoying the cool, crisp air of Fall! Where did October go? I cannot believe we are hauling at light speed toward Christmas! We've had a pretty good summer so far. The mountains are starting to get snow at the higher elevations. I hope we get snow here in the desert this winter. It's so beautiful here when it snows.

Today is Team B's turn to reveal their inspiration cards for the Use Fall Colors Challenge at the Magnolia-lcious Challenge Blog. I had fun with this challenge! I chose to use an older stamp - Tilda with Branches. She goes waaaaayyy back! I bet she is one of the first Magnolia stamps I ever bought! I also wanted to use a lot of texture on this card. So, with that in mind, I used velvet paper in a pretty brown, raffia, feathers, and berries that are covered with crystals. Here are some photos for you:



Here, you can see the whole front. I love the pretty softness of the image. The sentiment has been elevated on pop dots.



Isn't that Tilda adorable? I think she is too cute! On the front of my card, I've done some inking and lots of layering. The image has been colored with distress inks. I just wanted to showcase textures on this card. I love raffia. It's a perfect pairing for the sticks Tilda is holding.

Here is a closeup of the flower cluster:



I had a slight mishap with the feathers, LOL. The ceiling fan in my craft room was on when I emptied the bag of feathers. The tiniest ones went EVERYWHERE! I had to scramble to gather them up as they blew across my scrap table!

Diana will be getting the newest stamp collections in any day now. You can find the Lovely Christmas Collection HERE> The other new collection is called Little Italy which you can find HERE. Since I am of Italian heritage, I was smitten with this collection the minute I saw it! LOL!

Diana also has adorable Stamping Bella stamps which you can find HERE

Well, that's about it! I hope you like my Use Autumn Colors card creation.

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Use Autumn Colors Challenge? We'd love to see your creations!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Halloween Coffin Treat Boxes featuring Magnolia Goodies!


Hello Dearest Readers,

How are you this wonderful Tuesday in October? I love October so much. I love the changes it brings. The leaves are so gorgeous at the higher elevations. It's still fairly warm here. By the beginning of November, it'll be time to pull out a sweater or two.

My sweet husband is having cataract surgery today. I know he'll feel better when he realizes how much better his vision will be. Bless his heart. He's not seeing things very well at all. Keep him in your thoughts today, please. Getting old is so much fun - NOT!!!!!

Magnolia-licious is now carrying the Stamping Bella Stamps. I love the whimsical images! Each one just seems to say, "Be happy!" I can't even pick a favorite as I like them all the same!

Today is Team B's turn to reveal their creations for the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog's current challenge

Spooktacular Fun


I didn't want to make a card this time, so I decided to share some little coffin treat boxes! I was SO BAD WHEN I DID A COUPLE OF THESE! I NEVER use terms like those I put under two of the images, but I must have been in an impish mood! I have to admit, I did laugh a lot as I put the words on. I felt like a little kid! LOL. Here are my images:



I chose to use two Magnolia mini Tildas - Bat Tilda and Tilda with Spiderweb. The Magnolia bat is called Cute Bat. I hung him upside down and forgot to put in a tree branch for his feet to grab! DUH! I also used some Doohickey Dies from Kit 6. I added a touch of sparkle using the Magnolia Chandelier Garland snips. The large yellow orange rose is also from Magnolia. Here are some closeups:



I had so much fun with these little treat boxes! I'll fill them with Snickers and other yummy Halloween candies! The boxes are 6 1/2" in length and about 3 1/4" at the widest point. They were made from sturdy double sided designer card stock which made for a patterned interior as well.

I hope you got a giggle from my trio of coffins. Thank you so much for stopping by!


Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Spooktacular Challenge? As you can see by the DT examples, there are many ways you can make something that is Spooktacular, too! We'd love to see your creations!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Wild Rose Studio Bella on Bauble Wishes You a Merry Christmas!


Hello Dearest Readers,

Happy Wednesday to each of you! Have you seen that Diana is now carrying the new Stamping Bella line of stamps? Here is the link:

Stamping Bella is now at Magnolia-licious!


Today is "W"ednesday, and I thought I'd share a Wild Rose Studio stamp entitled "Bella on Bauble." I really love these little Bella stamps! This is an adorable Christmas themed stamp. When I made this card, Diana had it in the shop! But I jut checked for the link and it is now gone! I am sorry for that. If you like it, check w/Diana. Maybe she can get it in for you. Here is my card:



I thought this card turned out very nicely and very festively. I used red foil card stock for the edge mat, decorative mat, and bauble. I used a winter themed embossing folder for the textured background. The flowers are from my stash. The red berries are from either WOC or LALC. The gold Merry Christmas are stickers. On the bauble, I added clear acrylic stars that add sparkle. Bella has been colored with Prismacolor Pencils.

I hope you like my Bella on Bauble card. If you have any questions, just ask!

This card is for sale, along with others, in my Etsy Shop!



I am so glad that you stopped by. Please leave a comment if you have the time. Those sweet words are what keep me wanting to push my creative juices! I hope you will return again very soon! Your visit means the world to me!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

My Magnolia Rose Cake Tilda Kraft Card


Hello Dearest Readers,

How are things going for you today? Well I hope! It's the same "ole," same "ole" here. Days are spent getting things done and then wondering where the week went! It just seems that time if flying by! Nothing exciting at all in our lives! I guess that could be a good thing considering the alternatives! LOL

Today is Team B's turn to reveal their inspiration cards for the

Use Kraft Challenge


at the Magnolia-lcious Challenge Blog.


I had fun with this challenge! I decided to do my very first coloring directly on kraft paper! I've always admired gals who were able to do that technique well - Chris Dark and Claudia from Germany come to mind. Their work is amazing! So, I took the plunge. I'm afraid I discovered that the technique is not that easy! LOL I am sooooooo not in their league! LOL (as if I ever would be)

I chose to use a new stamp from the Boho Collection. It is called Rose Cake Tilda. Here is my photo of the front:


I colored Tilda with a combination of pencils - Prismacolor, Derwent Inktense, and regular Derwent. I even used some random pencils I had from a century ago, LOL! The kraft paper is Basic Grey and the card stock is Bazzill Kraft. I don't know what I did to get the photo so defined. I must have clicked something I shouldn't have during the photo editing. Since my eye surgery, I'm noticing that I am taking blurrier photos. I guess the surgery didn't end up as well as I had hoped. :o( Anyway, I struggle to get clarity. There is a tag hidden behind the quilted mat (where the blue flower and pink ribbon are at top center). The pale pink pearl swirls are Prima.

Here is a detail of Tilda:



I don't know if I'll try this technique again, LOL. I love colors that are bold. Coloring on kraft just seems to dull everything down. That's why I chose pastels for the card.

What do you think?

When you're visiting the Magnolia-licious Store, you might want to check out the new Memory Box and Poppy Stamp dies that Diana has gotten in. They are sure "purdy!" Diana also has the wonderful Boho collection stamps as well as many others.

Well, that's about it! I hope you like my Using Kraft creation.

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Use Kraft Challenge? As you can see by the DT examples, there are many ways you can incorporate the kraft into your design! We'd love to see your creations!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Romantic Boho Tilda Sisters Card


Hello Dearest Readers,

I'm hungry! LOL I've been working and forgetting to eat. Then, when I remember, I don't want to stop working on my project! Do you get like that, too? I'm so bad, though. I think I may have found a solution, though, I love beef jerky. The other day, I ordered TONS of packages of beef, pork, and turkey jerky for snacking on while I'm working! LOL I'll just keep a package or two in my craft room for when I get the munchies! LOL Problem solved!

Our grand daughter turned 8 weeks old on Friday. She is such a doll! I'm going to show you a photo of her. Son, if you are reading this, I know I said I wouldn't post it to my blog, but I lied! LOL Here she is at six weeks. She's just seen the balls hanging from her Mamaroo seat.



How cute is that?

If you haven't ordered your Boho Collection stamps, what are you waiting for? They are ADORABLE! The card I'm sharing today features Romantic Boho Tilda. Diana has it HERE.

I hope you like my card. I think it turned out so beautifully. I used two different lines of papers because one didn't have much of a selection in the color I had chosen. So, I went to a second selection and blended the two. I used My Wedding and Summer Crush papers. The card stock is Bazzill. Here it is:



I inked and distressed edges. Then, I added Shabby Pink Frantage. The flowers are from my stash. Tilda has been colored with a combination of coloring tools - DIs, Derwent regular watercolor pencils, and Derwent Inktense pencils. I used my Rose Leaf Doohickey die to complete the rose cluster.

The inside of the card is also completely finished and features flowers, pearls, and die cuts. It's very pretty.

Well, that's about it! I hope you like my Sisters card. It is available in my Etsy shop, if you are interested. Just click the Etsy link at the top right.

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Add a Rose(s) Challenge? We'd love to see your creations!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Bella's Party Birthday Card


Hello Dearest Readers,

Happy Wednesday to each of you! Have you checked out the new Magnolia Boho Collection that Diana has recently listed? Diana has them waiting for you at Magnolia-licious! They very pretty! I just love the detailed images! Check them out!

Today is "W-ednesday" at Magnolia-licious! I've often shared that I am in love with the Bella series stamps that are part of Wild Rose Studio's line of stamps. I'm so glad that Diana had gotten them in a while back, and I was smart and got some. Diana only has image one left in stock. If you like the one I've used today, maybe Diana could get it in for you. I think this stamp is so sweet! It's called Bella's Party. Here is the front of my card:



Did I hear an "Ahhhhh" when you saw the image? LOL It is just so precious as all the Bella stamps are as far as I am concerned. I took the time to use Kindyglitz colors to match the paper pieced box stack. I found Kindyglitz a little more than 10 years ago - long before Stickles came on the market. I had each and every color shipped to me from Australia! At that time, the company didn't ship to the US, but they were kind enough to give me the name of a person who would pick them up and mail them to me. I've been using them ever since. I love the quality of the product as well as the colors. Anyway, I colored the dots on the bottom box, the stars on the top box, and Bella's hat with the glitter glue. It added such a nicely professional look to the card.

The paper I used are MME Howdy Doody. I love this paper! If you have any, I'll buy it from you! If you can get it where you live and would like to mail two packs to me, count me in! I just love the colors and the patterns. My flowers are from my stash and in colors that match the paper colors. The pearls are Kaisercraft. The banner is from La La Land (I think) I've elevated it on pop dots.

Both panels of the inside have been finished and embellished. It is such a pretty card!

I hope you like my Bella's Party card. If you have any questions, just ask!

This card is for sale, along with others, in my Etsy Shop!



I am so glad that you stopped by. Please leave a comment if you have the time. Those sweet words are what keep me wanting to push my creative juices! I hope you will return again very soon! Your visit means the world to me!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Magnolia Tilda Pinwheel Birthday Card


Happy first day of September!

How are you today, dearest readers? We had the most wonderful trip to Portland, Oregon, to visit our darling son, sweeter than sweet daughter-in-law, and preciously perfect first grand baby! When she was placed into my arms and I introduced myself to her, SHE SMILED! She was only four weeks old! It was as if she'd been waiting to meet me! My heart melted! Just writing this makes my eyes fill with tears! She is in the 99% for height! The clothes I got in the newborn size were already too small when she was born! LOL. She weighed over 9 lbs! I'm thinking it was 9 1/2 - but I'm not sure. What an angel!

On the way home (1000 miles), we hit smoke from the horrible forest fires in Washington and Oregon. You could taste it. Visibility was quite low. We had smoke all the way into half of Utah. My lungs ached! So much loss! So many forest fighters have their lives on the line when fires like this break out. We made it home with God's help!

Today is Team B's turn to shed some inspiration for cards that have movement - Push, Pull, and Flip/Turn. You can find the deets at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog. I chose to make a pinwheel card. This was my very first one! I love how it turned out. That little pinwheel at the top rolls from left to right and back again as you tip the card! How fun for a child to have! Here is the link to the You Tube video that helped me make this: VIDEO Here are some photos of my card:



I love red and yellow together as well as navy blue and yellow together. I was in a red mood, I guess, when this card started to develop into something concrete. LOL I used my Spellbinders die for the scalloped shape of the card. Then, I used my cove dies for the center panel. The two Tildas are older ones - Tilda with Birthday Cake and Tilda with Tag Gifts. I made the present, pinwheel, and birthday hat in matching papers and red glittered card stock. The images have been hand painted. The center panel has been elevated on pop dots so that the pinwheel could move freely.

Here are some additional images:



Here, you can see the flower cluster with the beautiful frosted raspberry.







I hope you like the card I've created! It looks so much better IRL. I just cannot seem to grasp the secret to successful photo taking. If you have a suggestion, please leave it below. I need help, dearest readers!

Magnolia-licious is currently taking pre orders for the adorable, new Boho Chic Magnolia Collection. They are just the cutest images! Diana also has some new Poppy Stamp/Memory Box Holiday Dies. There are some I would so love to have! Check out the new items before they are gone!

Well, that's about it! I hope you like my Pinwheel card.

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Push, Pull, Flip (card with movement) Challenge? We'd love to see your creations! I tried something new; how about you?

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Magnolia-licious Summer Fun with Tilda Blog Hop!


Happy Blog Hop Day, Dearest Readers,

Today, the Magnolia-licious Design Team is having a Summer Fun Blog Hop! I must warn you. I have a TON of photos below! I wanted to show you every element of my project. I hope you don't mind!

You should have reached my site through Karen Gauthier's Blog. At the end of my post, I will tell you where the next stop is. OK? If you have strayed along the way, here is your starting point:

Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog


You want to go to this page to find all the details and where to start. Diana is offering a prize of a wonderful surprise package to a lucky gal! To be eligible, you need to create a project and post it on the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog. You will have TWO WEEKS to enter your Summertime Project.

For my project, I decided to make some Summer Fun Decorated Water Bottles! I went through my stamps and selected images that represented things that kids like doing in the summer. I had to include a hiking Edwin, of course! I can't let the girls have all the attention, right?

Here are my photos. I hope you like what I've done!



These are the images I've used going from left to right - On the Road Tilda, Gone Fishing Tilda, Gucci Tilda, Tilda in Key Largo, Tilda with Cherry Ice, and Hiking Edwin. All images have been hand painted.

I began by using a MS border punch to create a decorative base for each bottle using three brightly colored summery papers. This was attached using Scor-Tape. That stuff is FANTASTIC! Next, I cut out the ovals and scalloped ovals using my Nestie dies. Around each bottle, at the shoulder, I added another band. This band had a separate strip to hold both the decorative straw and the painted image. Again, I used Scor-Tape to hold the image mat in place. Using another Nestie die, I cut a circle of matching paper for each cap. I added a pom pom to the cap, tied some baker's twine around the neck of each bottle, stamped a sentiment on a strip which was attached to the base strip and decorated with a Prima flower and tiny button. They are sooooooooooo cute!

Here are the bottles in pairs:







Would these be cute for a party?

Well, if you are still with me, it's time for you to visit the next blog! You are now going to visit

Katie's Blog!


I hope you have liked the projects that my sweet Teamies have created to give you some inspiration! This is such a creative DT filled with such talented gals! I am always in awe!

Please stop by Magnolia-licious and see what wonderful goodies Diana has in stock! Diana always has such wonderful bargains, too!

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Summer Fun Challenge? We'd love to see your creations!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Magnolia's Snail Family - Where You are Headed...


Hello Dearest Readers,

How are each of you today? Thank you for visiting my blog! I hope you like what I've created this week for the

Add an Animal Challenge


at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog! I thought about this card last November. I had the idea rattling around in my head for the longest time. Sadly, when I first thought about using the snails, I had the cutest, sweetest sentiment. Even my husband said, "Ahhh, that's so sweet." Well, by the time I walked from my desk to my craft table, I had forgotten it! I was so mad! Since last November, I have been trying to recall what I had thought for the sentiment. Arrggg! Grrrrrr! Getting old is a real pain in the tushie!

Here is my card featuring Hugo the Snail and his snail family! I hope you like it!



I began my card by using a Spellbinder's shape die. I liked the shape, and it worked so well with the rectangular shape of the image mat. I chose some papers I had in my stash that are in peachy pink, cream, and green. The image features six Magnolia stamps that have been masked to create the scene. My snails are Hugo, Small Snail, and mini of Christmas Snails. For the flowers, I used Fantasy Flower from the Fairy Tale Collection, Lazy Summer Flowers, and Summer Flower Patch. The images have been painted with watercolors.

I used an assortment of die cuts, inking, pearls, ribbon, and assorted peachy pink flowers.

Here is a shot of the interior:



Well, that's about it! I hope you like my Snail Family creation.

Now it's your turn! Won't you join the Add an Animal Challenge? We'd love to see your creations!I know you have an animal stamp that hasn't been inked in a while. Time to pull it out!

Thank you for stopping by.


By leaving a comment, you may win a special gift from Diana at Magnolia-licious! If you don't join in, you just can't win! LOL



I hope you will return again very soon!

XO,

Chris

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Bella with Teddy - Sweet as Sugar Card


Hello Dearest Readers,

Happy Wednesday to each of you! Have you checked out the new holiday dies that Diana has listed yet? Diana has them waiting for you at Magnolia-licious! They very pretty! Check them out!

Today is "W-ednesday" at Magnolia-licious! I am so smitten with the Bella series stamps that are part of Wild Rose Studio's line of stamps. I'm glad that Diana had gotten them in a while back. Sadly, they are just about gone now. If you like this one, maybe Diana could get it in for you. I think this stamp is so sweet! It's called Bella with Teddy. Here are the deets about my card:



I chose a mauve colored Bazzill cardstock and some pretty matching papers. The image has been hand painted. I elevated the center panel for dimension but kept the white square doily flat against the card base. I found the cabochon style alphas in my stash. They matched the card perfectly. The ribbon is also from my stash. Lastly, I added an assortment of gorgeous flowers.

Here's a side shot:





I didn't add much to the inside of the card because the papers are so pretty! They have gorgeous rose and leaf designs. I didn't have the heart to cover them up.

I hope you like my Bella with Teddy card. If you have any questions, just ask!

This card is for sale, along with others, in my Etsy Shop!



I am so glad that you stopped by. Please leave a comment if you have the time. Those sweet words are what keep me wanting to push my creative juices! I hope you will return again very soon! Your visit means the world to me!

XO,

Chris