Just sitting here thinking of you ....

Happy Monday everyone!

The quiet in my house is deafening - yes, you guessed it, my boys have gone back to school! I vowed to leave my housework until tomorrow so I could just sit back and enjoy my little guy and some peaceful crafting time today! And this I did.

My new Magnolia Fall kit arrived in the mail at the end of last week and I just adore the new Tilda and Edwin images. This I think has to be one of my new favourites! I don't usually colour in Tilda as a blonde but for some reason this image screamed 'blonde' at me!! I also pulled out my oranges which again is not a first colour choice but I loved the end result. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that some of my new copic colours are orange!!

So onto the card. I've used the fabulous sketch from Claudia this week over at Friday Sketchers. I pulled out my gorgeous MME papers which I painfully cut into, lol! I used the recipe over at the Magnolia Down Under Challenge blog - 1 flower, 2 ribbons, 3 brads and 4 papers. Tilda is sitting on my new nesties labels 8 which is very much like the SU! Top Note die cut.

Thanks for stopping over at my blog today and taking the time to look and leave a comment. As always, your comments are so much appreciated! I hope you all are having a wonderful day!

Hugs,

Danielle x

My cupcake holder

Hi there!

Thanks to those who helped me yesterday in my quest to find a tutorial for a cupcake holder! I did find what I was looking for and it helped me create my own template! Yes, can you believe it, I made my own template!!!! I've never been particularly brilliant at math and numbers etc. so when I managed to figure out my own dimensions and layout, I made this one. Actually, I made a couple and the first one was shallower and longer but I prefer this one. (Apologies for the wonky picture!!)

And my need for a cupcake holder, well I'm doing a birthday party for my neighbour's 10 yr old daughter! And we're making cupcake holders and a card. I was inspired after having received my new Magnolia Fall kit and seeing all the new baking themed Tilda & Edwins!

I am at Heather's today doing a Make & Take using Smooch. I haven't used this product before so I'm looking forward to having some play time! It's raining so it's a perfect day to be hanging around with my craft stuff!!

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful day! And for my fellow Brits, have a fun Bank Holiday weekend!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Edit:

This is my Smooch slider card which I made this afternoon at Heathers. We had so much fun and I thoroughly enjoyed playing with Smooch! This is a very fun little slider card - super easy to do!

I need some help!!!!

Hi there!

I need some help and I'm hoping some of you out there in blogland can oblige!! I recall seeing a cupcake holder project on a blog - a cardboard base with the space for a cupcake to sit in. Do you think I can find it anywhere??? Of course not, not when I want it!

Does anyone know where I can find this tutorial or the instructions to complete it? I've googled a search but I'm coming up with mainly manufactured cupcake holders and not any beautifully handcrafted ones!

So if you're able to help I would be hugely grateful.

THANK YOU!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

EDIT: You guys are just the best!! Thank you so much for all your help - yes, I've found exactly what I'm looking for!!

Thanks again.

Hugs, Danielle x

Red Poppies - Recessed Window Card

Hello friends!

I saw this fab recessed window card tutorial over on Splitcoaststampers and had to give it a go! It is really straight forward to follow and the finished result is fabulous. I decided to use up some of the scraps of paper I had left over from from photo album project hence the same colours! The tutorial can be found here.

The silhouette poppy stamp is from The Stamp Barn which I inked up in Memories Red Barn ink. The embellishments are really simple - the SU! scalloped edge punch, adhesive pearls and a Just Rite circle sentiment punched out with the SU! flower punch.

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to visit and leave a comment! I love to know you have visited and then I'm able to return the favour!

Have a great evening everyone!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Photo Album

Hi!

Well, as promised I'm back with my post. This is a project I've been working on these past few days for a friend's birthday. I was lucky enough to have received one of these from my beautiful blogging friend Linda so I decided to give one a try. I absolutely loved doing it and I really hope my friend will like it. It is so very easy to do, especially when you have co-ordinating papers, lol!!!

I used Prima flowers, border & retro flower punches, metal embellishments, tulle, ribbon and adhesive pearls to embellish the pages.
I hope the photos show well - they still don't really do the album justice though, it's so much nicer in real life!

That's it for today! I'm out enjoying the gorgeous sunshine later today with friends at their pool. Tomorrow I think will involve some more back-to-school shopping for the boys. Boys and shopping don't really ever mix well together so I know it will be as short a trip as possible! Hopefully that means there'll be some crafting time for me as I hear there is supposed to be rain tomorrow!

I hope you're all enjoying a fabulous day!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Inspiring Award!

Good morning my friends!

Firstly, apologies for the severe lack of posts this past week! I was hoping to have had some time over the weekend to spend crafting, instead I was laid up in bed all day with a 24hr stomach bug! Thankfully it was short-lived but spending a whole day in bed put me behind all the other things that I needed to get done! And this is the last week before my boys head back to school so I'm busy with them too!

I have received this award from two fellow blogging friends, firstly Cheryl and now Jon. It's such a beautiful award and I'm really touched that people have thought of me to pass it on to. I am continually inspired every day when I visit all your beautiful blogs and have the opportunity to see your creations. Please take this award and pass it on should you not have received it yet!

I have been busy with a project which I will be back later on today to post. My batteries have died in my camera so are on recharge for a couple of hours! In the meantime, I will blog hop and catch up on all your gorgeous work!

Have a great day.

Hugs,

Danielle x

Cute Card Thursday - Tilda dipping her toes!

Hi there!

I managed to get this card done over the weekend and found these fabulous bright papers at a local store a few weekends back. This card fits in perfectly with the Cute Card Thursday theme this week 'At the Beach'. A dear friend of mine *waving at you Karen* stamped me out some of the new Magnolia summer kit images (which I had neglected to sign up for). Tilda is coloured with copics (she's an older image) as are the ring and water.

The layout is pretty plain and simple. I used some tulle to run behind the image and tied to the side with a pretty flip-flop charm from Bunny-Zoe's on-line craft store. The flower is prima.

I'll be back later to announce the winner of the Santa stamp! Thanks for stopping by and hope you're enjoying gorgeous sunshine like we are!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Anyone want a Santa stamp???

THIS CANDY GIVEAWAY WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19TH!

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!!

Random number generator

11

Penni

I guess he really wanted those milk & cookies you were offering!!

Congrats Penni - please email me your mailing address and I'll get the stamp sent out to you!

Happy Monday everyone!

I hope this candy today will make your Monday a little easier!! Another Sunshine Designs stamp up for grabs should you like it! I think he's a very cute Santa and it's a good time to start getting those christmas stamps out!

Again, just like the previous giveaway, all you have to do is leave a comment below this post and I will draw a name out Wednesday evening using random.org.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Another Notepad Project

Happy day to you all!

I know a sweet girl who is turning 12 tomorrow and wanted to make her a little gift. So I pulled out one of my notepads and got down to altering it with this sweet Tilda image. I used some handmade mulberry paper this time to cover the notepad with - I love the look of it! I decided to go with quite a vintage/distressed look this time. I coloured Tilda with my prisma pencils and OMS. I found this gorgeous brown lace in the dollar store this morning - I bought all the colours they had (only $1 each)!! The corner flourish is a Bosskut die. The paper is from MME Wild Asparagus pack. Here's a close-up picture. I glimmer misted and glamour dusted the flower but it doesn't show up very well in the photo.

And here's how I finished the inside. I used this gorgeous sentiment and distressed the edges of the kraft paper with my distresser and Frayed Burlap ink. I'm going to put this into the Simon Says Stamp challenge 'Anything but a card' - I think I'm cutting it fine with the deadline!!
Thanks for coming by for a visit! If you haven't done it already, be sure to sign up for the cute Santa stamp - you have until tomorrow evening before I pull a name! Thanks again for all your encouraging and uplifting comments - they continually inspire me to continue crafting!
Hugs,
Danielle x

Just Magnolia Too Challenge - 3D card

Hi!

Wow - we've been enjoying such gorgeous sunshine so I do apologise for my lack of posting this week! It's been wonderful having such hot weather FINALLY! Better late than never I guess!!

So today I have this card for you which I've entered into two challenges - Friday Sketchers for the sketch and Just Magnolia Too for their monthly challenge to use the 3D technique superbly demonstrated by Debby on the challenge blog.

Magnolia's Lion is a new addition to my collection and am so happy to have inked it up - it is gorgeous!! I coloured the image in with my copics and distressed the edges with my distresser and Vintage Photo distressed ink. The papers are from the BG Marrakech pad. Jute, twine, buttons, Retro flower punch and my sewing machine add all the finishing details to the card. For some reason the photo really doesn't do this card any justice - it looks so much nicer IRL!!

Here's a close-up of the 3D parts on the lion.

Thanks for stopping by today - I love to have you visit! And I received such a wonderful start to my day to discover I had won this weeks challenge over on the Winter Wonderland blog! I have chosen 3 fabulous sets of digi images/templates from Regina over at The Cutting Cafe. This is the first time I'll be using this so I'm looking forward to playing around with those!

Thanks for your beautifully inspiring comments - I really love reading them! And tomorrow I will be posting my Candy #2 - so be sure to come back!! :)

Hugs,

Danielle x

Cute Candy Giveaway #1!! And the Winner is ....

A CUTE CANDY GIVEAWAY FROM SUNSHINE DESIGNS!!!

THIS POST WILL STAY AT THE TOP UNTIL FRIDAY AUGUST 14TH

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!

AND THE WINNER IS:-

(GENERATED BY RANDOM.ORG)

NO.5

TANYA!!

Congratulations Tanya, please send me your mailing address so I can get this stamp out to you!

Keep your eyes peeled for my Candy #2 coming soon!

Sharon from The Stamp Barn has kindly given me a couple of images to give away as some blog candy for all my faithful followers and commenters! So, if you like this stamp and would like to be in for a chance to win it, just leave a comment on this post and I will randomly draw a name on Friday evening! That's all you have to do! I will mail this worldwide.
And as you can see this is Candy #1 so be sure to stay tuned for Candy #2!!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Snowy Day!

Happy Day everyone!

Today I have for you a new release Sunshine Designs stamp from The Stamp Barn - one of the winter/christmas collection of Roly-Polys. Isn't she just so cute!! I coloured her on watercolour paper with distress inks (Faded Jeans, Dusty Concord, Tattered Rose & Frayed Burlap). I used the new Polar White flower soft (below is a closer pic to show you the glitter and shimmer in it). I 3D her hat and boots to add some extra dimension to the image. To her side I used snowflake stamps and a sentiment, again from Sunshine Designs. The background snowflake doesn't show up well in this pic as I stamped it in pale blue chalk ink but the bigger individual snowflake I used Royal Blue ink. The snowflakes are fabric embellishments from my stash.

A close up of the Polar White flower soft - gorgeous stuff!!

Here are the other new release stamps from the collection - they are too cute for words!!

Well, that's all for today folks!! I thank you for coming by for a visit and leaving your beautiful comments - they really do make my day! I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with plenty of sunshine and fun - and inky fun too!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Trio of Christmas Trees!

Hello!

It has been a few days! I was out and about enjoying the sunshine this week with the boys (it was kind of sporadic so had to make the most of it when it came out!). But, today is dull and overcast so I got down into my craft room. Now it took me a while to get my mojo going but I've been needing to get some Stamp Barn cards made so I picked up this gorgeous christmas tree trio stamp and played around. The challenge over on Winter Wonderland is twinkle and sparkle so hopefully this card counts with my stickles on the stars and decorations.

It's a pretty straightforward card today - the image is coloured with my Prismacolour pencils and OMS, the back panel is distressed with inks and I used a Stamp Barn swirly stamp to create the design. The green organza ribbon and some liquid applique add the finishing touches. It's an unusual colour combo for me but I have to say I rather like it!

Thanks for coming over for a visit and for your comments! Hopefully I'll get to play a bit more as I got some gorgeous new Magnolia rubbah this week (some images from the Pet Collection over at Heathers and The Little Stamp Shoppe).
I hope you've all enjoyed a wonderful weekend and have a great week coming up.

Hugs,

Danielle x

Lilac Tilda .......and some awards!

Good morning friends!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day - we've woken up to blue skies and sunshine today so it should be a fun day for everyone! Today I have a card for you that covers a couple of challenges. The sketch is from Stamp with Fun - I've rotated it so it would work with my image of Tilda. And over on A Spoonfull of Sugar they have the theme 'Floral Fantasy' and I thought this card fit the bill perfectly!
I coloured Tilda using my copics and added 'Fuschia' flower soft to her basket of lilacs. The panel behind her is cuttlebug embossed using the Floral Fantasy folder. I used lace and lilac ric rac down the left side of the card and threaded the circle sentiment through (Just Rite stamp). The flowers are Prima Hydrangeas and I found these cute little lilac roses in my stash. I sprayed Tattered Angels pearl Glimmer Mist over them but it's not easy to see in the picture.

I have received these beautiful awards (sorry I've been slack in posting them). The Circle of Friends award was received from my beautiful blogging friend Linda, thanks Linda, it means a lot! And the lovely Kreative Blogger award is from one of my favourite commenters on my blog, Christine. Please be sure to check out their blogs if you haven't already, they both do such beautiful work!

Edit: I didn't pick up the instructions when I collected this award so to make sure I follow the rules ('cos I'm a rule-follower kinda gal), here goes:-

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.

3. Link the person who nominated you for this award.

4. Name 7 things about yourself that people may find interesting.

5. Nominated seven Kreativ Bloggers.

6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.

7. Leave comments on all seven blogs letting them know you nominated them.

Ok, so here's my list of 7 interesting facts about me:-

1. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, lived in Jersey, Channel Islands and now live in Canada.

2. I spent 2 1/2 years in Bolivia, S America working as a lay missionary with Catholic nuns.

3. I almost became a nun.

4. I'm married with 3 gorgeous boys.

5. I have travelled to almost every continent (except Antarctica!)

6. I read Angel cards and talk to my angels every day.

7. I love a glass of red wine.

And now I'd like to nominate these 7 fabulous bloggers:-

1. Andrea at Impressions are Made

2. Shirley at Shirl's Scrapalicious Studio

3. Tab at Tabby Craft Designs

4. Judy at Judy's Crafty Moments

5. Sheena at Time Well Wasted

6. Sharon at My Creative Space

7. Jenny at One Krafty Kat

That's all for today folks! Thanks for your visit and I truly appreciate your time and comments when you come by!

Hugs,
Danielle x

Walking in a Winter Wonderland .....

Happy Day to you!

I have this Winter Wonderland card for you today. Magnolia Down Under Challenges have the theme this month as 'Winter' and the Winter Wonderland challenge has 'Winter Wonderland'. Must say after some lovely days of sunshine it was a little tough to be making a wintery card but I'm really happy with the result.

Tilda with Candy Cane is coloured with copics as are the trees. I airbrushed the blue sky. Lots of liquid applique for the snow and glitter and the MS snowflake punch add the extra detail to this card. And that's pretty much it. No need to add too much stuff to a card like this - the scene speaks for itself!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day. Thanks for your visit today and for any comments you may leave :)

Hugs,

Danielle x

A Froggy Chorus!

Hi everyone!

This is a quick posting just to show you a very speedily put together birthday card for my friend's husband's birthday! Male cards are always so challenging so I thought this image would work for him. I coloured with my copics and added embossed panels behind the image. Two fabric brads in each corner finish the card. No adding flowers or pearls on this card, but he really liked the card when he received it! So I'd say it was a hit!!

That's all folks - hopefully I'll get a chance to get into my craft room this evening and play around a bit and do a few challenges. Hope you're all enjoying a wonderful Monday - we've had a very pleasant Holiday Monday here in Ontario with sunshine and lots of swimming!!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment - they're always so much appreciated!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Friday Sketchers Card

Hello!

I hope you are all well and enjoying your weekend! I'm having lots of fun back in my craft room and got to make this card using the gorgeous sketch by Jeanette over on Friday Sketchers. This cute elephant arrived in the mail last week from The Little Stamp Shoppe and I couldn't wait to ink him up and get colouring! This was one of the many colouring projects I completed upstairs whilst my craft room was drying out!

I felt this sketch fit this image perfectly and I'm so happy with the way this card turned out. The grey dp is from MME Asparagus collection (one of the double-sided sheets) and the pink polka dots is from stash. I used my copics to colour and I distressed the nestie circle and clear embossed some swirls around the edge. The photo below should show a closer image of this.

Prima flowers, spacer and gem brad, together with the MS branch punch and a Bosskut floral scroll die complete the embellishments. Oh, and 3 pink pearls down in the right hand corner! And some stitching!!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a peek today! We spent most of today in the gorgeous sunshine in our neighbour's pool so we're all wiped out and ready to crash! Hope you all have a wonderful evening or Sunday (depending on when you get to read this post).

Hugs,
Danielle x