Celebrating YOU Today

I created this card for a friend to give to his wife for Mother's Day.  She loves brown pelicans and likes to photograph them.  The only image that came to mind was Magnolia's Pelican from their Bon Voyage Collection.  He also wanted it to not be too girly and have a nautical theme.  I started with MoJo Monday #291 sketch and cut Fishtail Flags with designer papers from Fancy Pants Down by the Shore.  I love love LOVE this paper!!  The card base is Kraft cardstock and layered with Vintage Cream.  I embossed another layer of Kraft cardstock with an Ossie Dots embossing folder.  I machine stitched all of the layers.  Then using MFT Circle Stax die-manics I created a "porthole" and added matte finished silver brads for the rivets.   A layer of pop dots was added between the outer and inner circles for depth and dimension.  I added Red Poppy Saddle stitched ribbon from PTI and tied a bow using my Bow Easy.  The pelican was fussy cut and also popped up with foam tape and placed atop a wooden post.

Copics Used:
C5, C3, C2, C00, E71, BV25, BV23

Here's the photo my friend provided that his wife recently took to give me reference.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Christmas In July

This weeks The Sweet Stop Sketch has a twist...Christmas!

Yep, it's just a few short months until Christmas so this should help you get a jump on all those Christmas cards you have to make.  I know that I do not even want to think about Christmas yet, but I did enjoy pulling out a Magnolia image that I had never inked up...Tilda with Candy Cane.  I LOVE this sketch so much and it was so quick and easy...it would make a fabulous sketch for mass producing those holiday greetings.  So don't be surprised if you see it again.  :)

And speaking of Christmas...Ironically I do have some Christmas shopping to do today.  This is the weekend that Hallmark comes out with their Limited Quantity Keepsake Ornament collection.  I get Brooke a Disney Precious Moment porcelain ornament every year...this year is Sleeping Beauty. 

 I better go before they're all gone!!

The Sugar Babies have some gorgeous sketch samples to share with you this week!! Please be sure to stop by and check them out.  

Shelby Goolsby

Janice Melton

Jennipher Lowery

Monika Davis

   Korin Sutherland

    Shannon White

    Cathy McCauley

Thanks for stopping by today...hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

For You

Happy Wednesday Everyone!!  

I think this is my most favorite Tilda EVER!!  Her name is Tilda With Balloon, and she's part of the adorable Magnolia - So Special Collection.  I just love her hair and the shy little tilt of her head...pure sweetness!!  You can purchase yours online at 7 Kids College Fund who also has the NEW Rainbow Collection on pre-order!!  Have you seen it?!?!  OMGosh!!  This Rainbow Collection just may be CUTEST yet!!    

  And can you believe it?!?!  I actually managed to color a shade of blonde that I LOVE!!  If you've followed my blog for awhile then you will know that I never color hair blonde because I can never seem to find THE right blonde.  All of my blonde attempts end up brunettes.  :)  And in case anyone is curious, let me share with you the insane amount of Copic's I used... E50, E41, E31, YR31, Y26, E34 and a touch of YR20.  See?  Told ya it was insane!!  LOL  

This is also my first card with a banner and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.  I of course LOVE everyone else's cards with banners, and HAD to have a banner die to try it myself.  I found it very difficult to incorporate it into the layout and could only manage to fit 3 pennants even though the card size is a 5 1/2" square. I spent an embarrassing amount of time fiddling with the arrangement until I felt like it didn't look awkward. But I was determined to include a banner on THIS card!!  LOL  So hopefully I managed to make it work design wise.   

  

Challenges:

Paper and Such = #1 Birthday Cards

Craft Your Passion = #58 Cutie Patootie

Stamping Scrapping Challenge = Birthday's

Little Miss Muffet = #9 Tags or Banners

Southern Girls Challenge = Let's hear it for the girls

Magnolia Down Under = #96 Your Favorite Things (Tilda image)

I've created this card especially for Christine, my DT sister and friend over at Paper Sundae's.  She's just turned 40 and to celebrate, her best friend Shana is hosting a giveaway and card campaign.  If you make and send a card to Christine by May 21st you will be entered to win one of 2 gift certificates to any Paper Sundae's sponsors online store.  Be sure to click HERE for all the details and to enter.





Thanks so much for stopping by and taking a moment to leave me a comment.  It mean so much to me!!  :)

Easter Tilda

This week at 7 Kids College Fund the challenge is...

 ~ Easter or Spring Cards ~

Should be a easy peasy challenge, but you DO need to use an image that 7 Kids College Fund carries to enter the challenge.  I've used Tilda and her Bunny from the new Butterfly Dreams Collection.  I ADORE this Tilda.  I think it's her hair along with that darling hat and bow that makes her so precious. 

The DP is My Minds Eye (Mabel) which was machine stitched round the paper panels but paper pierced around the image.   I have a huge fear of destroying my just finished image with my crazy sewing skills, LOL.  

My daughter Brooke asked if this card was for her.  She asks this about almost every card I make, so I just tell her "yes" now.  She came closer for a better look and said, "I don't like it...give it to Nathan"  and then walked off.  LOL  Heartbroken that she didn't like it (and here I was thinking it looked pretty darn good if I do say so myself) I called her back over and asked her why she didn't like it, she said, "it's not pink, I don't like orange...Nathan likes orange.  Do it again but make her pink Mommy".  LOL  I promised that I would try to color my next card pink.  :)

Challenges:

Tuesday Throwdown = #44 Sparkle & Bling

Creative Inspirations = #57 Easter

Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Easter

Stamptacular Sunday = #106 Girls & Swirls
Lil Red Wagon = Easter
Simon Says Stamp = Card for a child (Nathan - since Brooke won't take it, LOL)
Creative Inspirations = #107 Easter

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Seeing Spots

It's challenge day at 7 Kids College Fund and we are

~ Seeing Spots ~

I've made a Tag card after seeing my friend Tracy's.  You can find a tutorial HERE, however I only used the instructions as a general guideline as my dimensions and closure are much different.  I also made mine into a gift card holder.

My image is Ladybug Tilda which was sent to me by my friend Tracy (thanks girlie!!) and the DP is from Imaginisce.  I used just the end bits of a Labels 8 nestie to create the closure tab and for the sentiment.  I folded the corner and held it in place with a pearl.  Both the pearl and ribbon were colored with Copic (BG15) to match the paper.  This turned out to be an extremely heavy card with all the layers inside and out.  

I'm sorry to be so brief, but the kids and I have all caught the flu and I just generally feel horrible.  Nathan is the SWEETEST child on the planet when he's sick.  He's quiet, wants to cuddle and tells you that he loves you all day long!!  {xoxox}  Brookie however is a mad woman and just CRIES all day long and tells you that she's just so sad!!  {It's a combination of heartbreaking and annoying!! LOL}  

I also want to apologize for not visiting your blogs these past 2 weeks, I've had so much family stuff going on and now this...I'm sure I'll never get caught up but I hope to be by to visit you all real soon!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Wendy

Make a Wish

Good Morning!  It's another fabulous The Sweet Stop sketch.

I've made this card for my Mother's birthday which is a little over a week away.  Now I just need to convince her not to visit my blog until then.  :)  I'm thrilled that I have been able to keep my New Year's resolution and use un-inked stamps and to give my cards away!!  All of my cards this year have been made for a current occasion and not for my stash.  I was collecting WAY too many cards and not giving nearly enough of them away.  I have a really hard time giving them away, do you?

I've used Magician Tilda which is another image that had never seen any ink until now.  I think she is one of the prettiest Tilda images there is.  I just LOVE her hair and the way she's standing.  The DP is Be Mine from Kaisercraft which were all distressed and inked them with Eggplant chalk ink.  The ticket was given the same treatment.  The image panel is popped up using foam tape and because I just felt like adding even more I inked a paper doily and placed it behind.  The sparkle is on her sheer apron is a combination of Pixie Dust Shimmerz and Star Dust Stickles.  I mixed the two and painted it on so that it would really appear sheer and not just sparkly.  Sliver Stickles was used on the wand and the flower is from Prima.  

Challenges:

Do You Stack Up = #12 Shine On

Paper Play = #12 Distressing

Crafts and Me = #27 Anything Goes

A Spoon Full of Sugar = #144 Ribbon, Pearls & Flowers

Everybody Art = #134 Happy Birthday

Ladybugs Crafts Ink = #20 Monochrome

Paper Take Weekly = It's a Mom Thing OR Be Girlie

Copic's Used:

Hair: E50, E31, E35, YR20

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R02, R00

Dress: V17, V15, V12, V000

Shoes: C7, C5, C3, C1

Outline/Shadow: C2, C1, BG0000

Got to go....today is Brooke's birthday party and I have a ton of family and friends who are all about to arrive.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Wendy

Supplies Used:

Stamp: Magnolia, Magician Tilda

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black & VersaMagic Eggplant Chalk Ink

Paper: PTI, White Cardstock & Kaisercraft DP

Ribbon: PTI

Doily: Wiltons

Pearls: Recollections 

Ticket: Tim Holtz

Flower: Prima

Shimmerz: Pixie Dust

Stickles: Star Dust & Silver

Misc: Pop Dots

Copics

Pretty in Pink

This is my second post today...scroll down to see my 

YNS Challenge sample.

It's time for another 7 Kids College Fund challenge and this week is

~ Pink & Flowers ~

I was in a pinch for a layout idea so I turned to my sketch notes and used a Sweet Sunday Sketch from last year.    My image is Tilda with Small gift from the new You Are So Special Collection.  The DP is Basic Grey's Porcelain paired with Spellbinders, Lacy Square die.  And once again I've colored white felt to match my DP with my copics (RV34 & R02) and used my MFT Rolled Roses die to make my rose.  

I've made this card for a very special friend
and I hope she likes it.  :)

Challenges:
Magnolia Stamp Lovers = #13 Die Cuts
Cupcake Inspirations = #102 Photo Inspiration

Copics Used:

Dress: R85, R83, R81

Shoes: E44, E43, E42, E41

Hair: E25, E35, E31, E41

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R02, R00

Outline: C1, BG0000

Don't forget that I have BLOG CANDY 

going on right now!!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wendy

Supplies: 

*  Stamp: Magnolia (Tilda with small gift)

*  Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black)

*  Paper: PTI (White Cardstock)

*             Basic Grey (Porcelain)

*  Pearls: Recollections

*  Die: Spellbinders (Lacy Square)

            MFT (Rolled Rose)

*  Stickles (Star Dust)

*  Pop Dots

*  Misc: Creative Memories (Corner Rounder) & Ribbon (Unknown)

*  Copics

The Princess Frog

In celebration of Mardi Gras next week, 7 Kids College Fund wants to see 

~ Purple, Gold and Green  ~

My daughter has Disney's movie, The Princess and the Frog which is set in New Orleans on an almost constant repeat here in our house.  So when I saw this this challenge I knew right away that Fairytale Tilda would be the perfect image choice.  I've only slightly cheated because the only gold on my card is the little frogs crown and her golden blonde hair. 

Not being a fan of purple, I found myself having so much fun coloring this image.  And the coloring went reasonably fast (for me).  I've painted Pixie Dust, Shimmerz on her wings and used Lavender, Gold, and Frosted Lace Stickles for even more sparkle.  I rarely if ever complete the inside of a card but wanted to use Big Prince Phillip too. And I thought stamping him with Peeled Paint distressing ink would be a nice finishing touch.  The sentiment is a digital from Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps.  I wanted my sentiment printed in green as well, but I don't know how to change the color on a digital image.
 (If you know, would you please share how to do it with me?)

Challenges:
Oldie but a Goodie = #13 Spring is in the air
Papertake Weekly = Anything Goes
Craft Your Passion = #47 Girly Girl
Incy Wincy Designs = #83 Spring is in the air
Lexi's Creations = #34 Flowers
Stamps R Us = For the Girls
Challenge Up Your Life = #38 Fairytales
One Stop Craft = #120 Spring Flowers
Sweet Stampin Challenges = Oh So Girly
Stamp Something = Something with Flowers
Lollipop Crafts = #28 Think Spring
All That Scraps = Anything Goes

In case you missed it yesterday, I have BLOG CANDY going on right now in celebration of my 1 Year Blogoversary.  CLICK HERE for your chance to win!!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Wendy

Supplies:
*  Stamp: Magnolia, Fairytale Tilda & Big Prince Phillip
*  Sentiment: Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps
*  Ink: Memento (Tuxedo Black) & Peeled Paint
*  Paper: PTI (white cardstock)
*  DP: My Mind's Eye, Penny Lane
*  Die: Spellbinder's, Scalloped Circle and Standard Circle
*  Shimmerz, Pixie Dust
*  Stickles: Frosted Lace, Lavender, Gold
*  Pop Dots
*  Rhinestones: Recollections
*  Misc: Flower from my stash
*  Copic's
   Dress: V17, V15, V12, V000
    Frog/Grass: YG95, YG23, YG03, YG21
    Hair: E41, E31, E34, E35
    Skin: E11, E00, E50, R02, R00

Happy Birthday Bosslady!!

Today is a very special day at 7 Kids College Fund as it's the boss-lady's birthday!!
~ Happy Birthday Tabitha!! ~

I haven't know Tab for very long but I do know that she is such a wicked funny and kind person.  It is an honor to be designing for her super awesome store.  Myself and some of my DT teamies thought it would be nice to surprise her today with birthday creations just for her!!

My sweet friend, Tracy sent me this adorable image, Congratulations Tilda.  She is from the You Are So Special Collection, which is now available at 7 Kids College Fund.

I've made a Big Buckle card and you can find the tutorial HERE.  The photo above shows the card "unbuckled".  Honestly, I didn't really use the tutorial except for a general guideline.  My card measures 5" x 5 1/2" and my buckle is 1 1/2".  The image is popped up using foam tape for dimension and to give a little pocket for the buckle to go into.  My DP is from My Mind's Eye, Home and I've paired it with the Parisian border punch from EK Success, because I thought it had a festive look to it.  And I of course used Stickles and Shimmerz for sparkle on the bow, party hat, dress trim and along the image panel edges.

The above photo is of the open.  It's blurry (sorry) and I didn't realize until it was too late that the sentiment is crooked.  (Ughh!!)  The pearl flourish on the side/inside of the card was done by me using individual pearls.

I invite you to check out the 7 Kids College Fund blog to take a peek at all of Tabitha's birthday cards.

Challenges:
A Spoonfull of Sugar = #140 Birthday Wishes
My Time to Craft = #129 Hats (Party Hat)
Top Tip Tuesday = #23 Bling it on
Kaboodledoodles = #55 Break Tradition (Big Buckle card)
Ooh La La Creations = #74 Pink
Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Pastels
Stamptacular Sundays = #99 Someone Special
Card Makin' Mamas = #15 Happy Birthday

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!

Wendy

Supplies:

*  Stamp: Magnolia, Congratulations Tilda 

*  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

*  Paper: PTI White and Vintage Cream Cardstock

*  DP:  My Mind's Eye, Home

*  Border Punch: EK Success, Parisian

*  Corner Rounder Punch: Creative Memories

*  Slot Punch: Ek Success

*  Stickles:  Cotton Candy & Star Dust

*  Shimmerz: Pixie Dust

*  Foam Tape

*  Pearls: Recollections

*  Copics:

   Dress/Shoes: R85, R83, R81, RV000

    Gift/Bow/Hat: BG18, BG13, BG11, YG95, YG23, YG03, YG21

    Hair: Y21, E31, E35, E25, E47

    Skin: E11, E00, E50, R02, R00

    Shadowing: W5, W3, W1, C1, BG0000

"Wicked" Good Book

I'm a HUGE fan of the book and Broadway musical, WICKED.  And this past October my husband took me to New York for my birthday along with tickets to see the show on Broadway.  I have to tell you, it was seriously the best gift EVER and I haven't stopped thinking about since!!!   I have my adorable stuffed flying monkey that I got at the show sitting in my craft area so I can see him everyday.   Even the screensaver image on my iphone is the musical's poster.  So when my sister confessed that she still hadn't read the book (that I gave her for Christmas 2009 - gasp!!) I decided to make her this bookmark as an enticement to get started.  :) 

I've used Magnolia's, Witch Tilda with Pumpkins.  She's colored with YG Copics to resemble the main character, Elphaba (The Wicked Witch of the West).  And I added the Tim Holtz Sprocket Gears to represent the Clock of the Time Dragon.  (If you're familiar with the book or play then you'll get it.  If not...you can read about it HERE.)   The bottom of the bookmark was punched with Martha Stewart's border punch (Iron Gate). The sentiment was computer generated, using Trinigan and Architect fonts.

  I loved how it turned out so much that even though I have a Kindle now and no use for a bookmark anymore...I made one for myself too.  

If you're like me and love everything Magnolia, then you'll want to order your copy of the brand new Magnolia Magazine (Will You Be My Valentine) available for purchase now at 7 Kids College Fund.  You also won't want to miss the new So Special collection now on pre-order.

Hope you're having a great week!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Wendy

Supplies:

* Magnolia (Witch Tilda with Pumpkins)

* Memento Tuxedo Black
* Basic Grey (Origins)
* DCWV (Citrus Stack)
* Martha Stewart Border Punch Iron Gate
* Tim Holtz Sprocket Gears
* Offray Ribbon
* Copics
   Hat/Dress: C7, C5, C3, C2, C1

   Hair: 100, C5, C3, C1

   Skin: YG95, YG63, YG23, YG03, YG01, R00

   Outline: N0

No Peeking!!

I'm so excited to be Guest Designing with my girls at Paper Sundae's this week!!  

This week's challenge is to Adorn Those Corners.  

You can use pearls, buttons, bling, stamps, corner rounder, etc...  (I finally was able to use these cute little metal photo corners I've had for seriously 8 + years!! )

 And our fabulous sponsor of this challenge is  

They have a HUGE selection of Magnolia's.

Which is where you can find Sneaky Tilda, Unwrapped Tilda ,Wedding Tilda and the Christmas Tree (which seems to be sold out at the moment).  

I was inspired a few weeks ago to create a door hanger for when you're wrapping gifts when I saw a little wooden sign in Cracker Barrel (A Country Restaurant) that said "Wrapping in Progress...No Peeking!"  I knew right away that I would use my Unwrapped Tilda and Christmas Tree.  But a few days later I saw Mindy Baxter's card where she grouped a few Tilda's together like this and decided that the more Tilda's the merrier!!  :)

Here you can see it hanging on my craft closet door.

I thought this would take me FOREVER to color and started becoming intimidated by it.  So I sat down one evening after dinner and just started coloring while chatting my husband.  It did take me almost 3 hours but I was finished just in time to put the kids to bed.  The next morning I put everything together and added some sparkle!  I wish you could see this in real life.  When the light hits the Christmas tree it looks like it's lit up and shining, it's so beautiful.    I only added Stickles on their hair bows, the Christmas tree and the ribbons on the packages.  I really didn't want to over do it.  The sentiment is computer generated and has Stickles along the edge too.  I also used my last sheet of Bo Bunny ('Tis the Season) DP.  :(

Challenges:

Totally Gorjuss = #58 Oh Christmas Tree

One Stop Craft = #108 Christmas Cuties

Stampin For The Weekend = #51 Winter

Craft Challenge = #78 Christmas Present Project

Charismacardz = #47 One For The Girls

A Spoonfull of Sugar = #131 Anything Goes

Pear Tree Designs = #27 Colorful

Really Reasonable Ribbon = #12 Christmas

Copic's Used:

I promise to update later...or you can email me.

Thanks so much for stopping by!!

Wendy

Recipe:

Too Cute To Spook!

Good Morning!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend.  

It's Sunday which means it's another challenge at Paper Sundaes.  This week we are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp and we'd like to see your Fall or Halloween Colors.

My entire card was designed around using that big black Prima flower.  (I decided after much too long, that showing half the flower was good enough, LOL)  This is another poor Tilda that just saw ink for the very first time after sitting on my shelf for over a year.  (shame on me!)  And this poor girl almost didn't make it on the card at all.  I was so disappointed over how the green in her dress was coming out that I almost crumpled her up and put it in the trash.  Only because I was really tired did I decide to make it work.  I like her, but I don't LOVE her...know what I mean?  I was so tired that I even forgot to add any shading to the outside of her body and I think she looks "naked".  LOL  

Challenges:

The Secret Crafter = #101 Anything Goes

Alphabet Challenge = U is for Unused (The black flower)

Creative Card Crew = Fall or Autumn

A Spoon Full of Sugar = #121 Fall into Autumn

Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Halloween challenge thru 9/25

Let's Ink it Up = # 3 Favorite Stamp + Charm
Color Me Copic = #4 Straight Hair Tutorial by Amy Young

Copic's Used:

Shirt/Socks: YR24, Y15, Y11

Apron: G99, G94, YG95, YG23, Colorless Blender

Skirt: YR14, Y19, YG23, 100, C3

Hairbows: YR18, YR14

Skin: R20, R00, E11, E00, E50

Hair/Shoes: C9, C7, C5, C3, C1

Broom: E29, E35, Y26, YR21, Y21

Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy

Recipe: 

Stamp: Magnolia (Tilda with Broom)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

DP: My Mind's Eye (Boo to You)

Border Punch: Martha Stewart (Iron Gate)

Flower: Prima

Charm: Making Memories (Halloween)

Dimensionals

Guest Designer for 7 Kids College Fund!!

**Second Post for the day

Scroll Down for my YNS Challenge project**

I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I am today to be Guest Designing for 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog!!!  Not only is it seriously my favorite place to shop, but their DT consists of some of my most favorite Designers!!

The challenge this week to create a fall card using this 

sketch designed by Suzanne Dean.

Well now that I'm writing up my post, I realize that I left off the sentiment.  I am the worst at sentiments.  If you notice, most of my cards don't have sentiments.  (Making a mental note to do better on this....)  And I guess I took the sketch a little too literally with the leafs and flowers!! Can you believe this is the first time that this Tilda has ever been inked up?  I've had her for a year now and I haven't given her any love.  :(  But it reminded me how fun coloring Tilda can be so you will be seeing more Magnolia projects from me soon.

Challenges:

Lexi's Creations = #22 Flower Power

Wee Memories = #22 Fall into Autumn

Allsorts Challenges = #69 Colors of Autumn

Totally Paper Crafts = #33 Lets Go Dotty

Totally Gorjuss = #47 Flower

Magnolia Stamp Lovers = Halloween Challenge
Paper Play Challenges = #36 Autumn is Comin'
Marks Finest Papers = #20 Fall Colors
A Spoon Full of Sugar = #121 Fall into Autumn
Creative Card Crew = Fall or Autumn

Copic's Used:

Outfit/Hat/Shoes: W7, W5, W3, W1

Skin: E11, E00, E50, R00

Pumpkins: YR18, YR14, YR12, YR00

Hair: E35, YR23, Y23

Buckle: Y26

Top/Lace/Socks: BG0000

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Wendy

Recipe:

Stamp: Magnolia (Witch Tilda with Pumpkins)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper: My Mind's Eye (The Spider's Web)

Jewels: K & Company (Fall Harvest)

Nestibilities: Circle

Cricut: Accent Essentials Cartridge (Circles 3 3/4" & 4")

Flower/Leafs: Ashland Fall Floral (Michael's)