A Boxing Day Birthday!

I've had the pleasure of having some family from England staying with us for Christmas and the New Year - and to add to the celebrations my niece also celebrated her 19th birthday with us on Boxing Day (Dec.26th). As we were heading off to Phillip Island to see the Fairy Penguins - a local park where the wild penguins come in from the sea every evening to their burrows! - her mum asked if I could make her a birthday card with penguins on! I had these gorgeous penguins from Angel's Landing already so what could be easier!

We had a FABULOUS night but as you aren't allowed to take photos I don't have any to show you! You used to be able to photograph the penguins without flash but unfortunately too many people ignored this rule and there had to be a blanket ban on cameras!!! Why do the few ruin things for sooo many others????

Back to the card... Unknown to me I also managed to use my niece's football team colours - blue and white - am I a good aunt or what - LOL! The penguin on the RHS is popped up for some added dimension. The fabulous leaves are from Bizzy Becs while the flower was a find at my local scrapbook shop. For some birthday sparkle I added some stickles to the background panel which I had already cuttlebugged. More stickles went onto the flower edges.

I also made a card to give my niece from my family - it's a CASE of a this card I made for my daughter's friend's 18th. I LOVE this digital fairy from The Greeting Farm - Mainly because I love the way you can layer the flower for extra dimension. She's also a perfect choice for teenage girls! The last time I coloured her I made her have black hair - but I reckon she looks pretty good as a blonde too! Once again I've sparkled her wings and flower up with dazzling diamonds.

Now I'm about to head off to bed before a packed day tomorrow - NEW YEAR'S EVE - aaaagh - a new DECADE is nearly upon us! I hope you ALL have a FABULOUS night and that the year ahead brings you lots of fun, laughs and STAMPING - LOL.

xXx

Magnolia Down Under Christmas Swap

A few months ago Boss Lady Kellie came up with a fabulous idea for the Magnolia Down Under DT - we were invited to join in a Christmas card swap! The AMAZING creations that landed in my letterbox just blew me away - I knew these lovely lady's were talented but to see their work IRL has been incredible - I am honoured to be in their company! I am going to make myself an inspiration wall with these after I frame them up - a job for the New Year!

 I also received some other gorgeous handmade cards and email Christmas wishes from other wonderful blogging friends - and for that I thank everyone - it has made my Christmas extra special this year!!! I hadn't blogged these earlier as I wanted to make sure the girls had all got theirs - but I thought I'd better blog them now or the Festive Season would be well and truly over - LOL!

A few weeks before Christmas I found these gorgeous wooden snowflakes in a little gift shop! My imagination took over and I knew I would use them for the swaps! I bought 3 different colours and decorated them with a layered snowflake, Christmas Tilda, some rhinestones and a ribbon bow! Now to make the card to go with them.....

I decided to re-size the "box and a card" I made here to create a card and packaging in one, the top opens up to be the card. I'm really happy with how it turned out - though there were a few frustrations along the way getting the drawer to fit just right!

Here you can see Tilda snuggled up in the drawer on some bubble wrap for the journey to her new home!

The handle for the drawer was a build-a-brad and I popped some Magnolia DP behind the bubble. The stamps, DP and gorgeous red lace ribbon all came from Kellie over at Magnolia Down Under Online Store. The CS and taffeta ribbon is from Stampin' Up. I used SU's chunky glitter on the large snowflake and Dazzling Diamonds over some liquid applique on the hat band and pom pom. I use a mix of Touch and Copic markers to colour!

I can't believe another year is almost done! I hope everyone is getting over their overindulgences of Christmas and are readying themselves for a new celebration to see in not only a New Year but a New DECADE!!! Have a safe and happy one.....

xXx

Magnolia Challenge #29 - Stamp with Another Use

How often do you want to enter a challenge but don't have the exact right stamp for the job!!! Well this is the challenge for you! At Magnolia Down Under Challenges this week we are asking you to think outside the box and find a use for one of your Magnolia stamps that is different to the use it was designed for. Here I have used an Easter stamp to make a baby card. Or you could use a Christmas stamp for a birthday card - do you get the idea??? If you're still not sure pop over the see what amazing examples the wonderful MDUC team has come up with to inspire you.

As it's Christmas in only a few more sleeps this challenge will be open until January 17th - when the next challenge will be up. We also have THREE fabulous prizes on offer - check them out HERE.

All CS for my card is SU. The DP is from Magnolia and available at Kellie's Magnolia Down Under Store. The flowers are from Bizzy Becs own range - and they are GORGEOUS. I must say it was FANTASTIC having the chance to play with my stamps after the forced break I've had - it has done my mood the world of good - I'm now ready to face Christmas head on - LOL. Thanx for all your well wishes about my stresses of the past week - I'm putting them behind me until I return to work at the end of January - life is toooo short to waste time on negativity!

xXx

Another Christmas CASE

Before I give you all the information about my card I must apologise for being MIA lately. My posts last week were scheduled as I was away showing our English family the beautiful scenery of the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians. I then came home to a week of stress and upset at work - not knowing if I would have a job next year and then not knowing if I WANTED to take the position on offer! I've had sleepless nights and been up emailing work at 5am. And then there's trying to finish off the Christmas shopping before the kids finish school for the Summer today. With all of this I haven't had the energy to craft or to visit you lovely people out there - so please bear with me - I can smell the ink pads beckoning and feel the need for some down time with my stamps! The joy of seeing the AMAZING work others have been up too is also on my "To Do" list!

Now onto my card. When I was at Stamp Camp a few weeks ago the lovely and talented Kristy Young asked me if I had seen THIS amazing snow globe card made by the always inspiring Kirsty Brown! When she showed it to me I was itching to get home and CASE it - I knew exactly who to give it to - it was PERFECT. The video tutorial for these is HERE. I did add some Glycerine (usually available at Health Food shops) to the water as it makes the liquid more viscous and the particles are suspended longer - sorry - a hint of my Science background there - LOL.

I made 2 "globes" but did have one leak a little - so I did secure the seam with some Pritt Power Gel - I think I got some water on the adhesive on the one that leaked! I have also been wanting to try a double bow with my new Bow Easy - and it turned out not too bad! I think lighter ribbons may work better though - or more practice - LOL.

All supplies are SU except the digital ticket stamp from Bizzy Becs, the embossing folder I used under the ribbon and the holly leaf punch.

I'm not sure how often I'll be posting over the next couple of weeks so in the meantime I'd like to wish each and every one of you an AMAZING Christmas and nothing but good things for 2010! Thanx for all of your support and inspiration in 2009 - you guys make blogging SUCH a rewarding experience!!!

xXx

A Christmas CASE

Recently I saw a stunning Christmas card made by Cheryl Joshua at My Card Making Heaven using a Monday Mojo sketch and a Christmas wreath. Not long after seeing this card I found this wonderful snowflake wreath stamp by Hero Arts and knew I wanted to use it to CASE Cheryl's card. I used my SU markers to add some different greens to the stamp and used a SU sentiment across the middle. Some red, green and clear rhinestones make it sparkle!

I did this CASE from memory so missed a few of the layout elements - but then I didn't want it to be exactly the same as Cheryl's either. Inspiration from other talented bloggers is at such a high standard - and I have sooo many ideas tucked away for use someday. Thanx to everyone out there who inspires me everyday - and that's NOT just to crafters - I get inspiration from many different people in many different ways!

Take care

xXx

A Magnolia Down Under DT Challenge - Jodie

Kellie from the Magnolia Down Under Online Store had a fun idea recently - she has asked each member of her DT to take turns to come up with a challenge for the rest of the DT. Our very first challenger is the amazingly talented Jodie Turner who asked us to use our new Christmas stamps to create a Christmas invitation. We each receive a different stamp in out DT kit from Kellie and we have to use our own stamp on our project!!! I chose the Christmas envelope for my kit - I already had most of the other cuties on order - LOL. I have layered some of the holly leaves and the bow - it really does look better IRL. The holly berries have red rhinestones on for some fun sparkle.

The invite was made by stamping the sentiment (from SU's Sincere Salutations) onto some Whisper White CS before running it through my script embossing folder. I sponged the edges and over the raised script before rolling the corners over. The gorgeous DP is from Magnolia - I just love the texture and feel of this paper - it's soo easy to work with! The lace is also Magnolia - and trust me it's gorgeous!!!

All of my Magnolia supplies came from Kellie at Magnolia Down Under.

If you want to check out the rest of the DT's work here are the links to their blogs....
Debra
Jodie
Kellie
Kristy
Stephanne
Tracey

xXx

Hippo Birthday to You!

It's Wednesday again and that means it's my turn to post a DT card over at The Stamp Spot Blog. Today I've used this cute image from Stampavie - Lelo Designs, Hippo Birthday. I've coloured him in with my markers basing the colours on the We R Memory Keepers DP that is perfect for boys - it was almost a shame to cover some of the fun images up. I've used my diamond plate embossing folder on the blue CS - I LOVE this folder for boy's cards! I also distressed the edges a bit as I don't know any little boy who is super neat all the time - LOL.

The stamp, DP, buttons, cuttlebug folder and nestabilities are all available from Marcia at The Stamp Spot Online Store - although the nesties do need to be pre-ordered and are currently listed at 15% off!

I can't believe Christmas is soo close - I still have sooo much to do - so apologies for this being short and sweet! I hope you are all enjoying the festive season - but not toooo much - LOL!!!

xXx

Some Christmas Decorations

While I was at Stamp Camp - gosh was it really over a week ago now!!!! - I was talking to the lovely Annette about some of the other crafting I do. I mentioned I had held a painting class recently - and she wanted to know what I painted. These are a few of my light globe Christmas decorations - a great way to recycle burnt out light globes! I made my first one back in 1999 and gave one to my son's teacher for Christmas. The next yearI had orders for over 100 personalised decorations - aaaaagh!! I had a real production line going that year - LOL. They have been great for presents over the years and I've had friends from all over saving me light globes - I even had someone turn up with a car brake light globe in case I wanted that!!!! Do you KNOW how TINY they are - LOL. They are starting to phase these type of globes out here in Australia - so I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to make them!

Apologies for the shine on the photos - they have been finished with varnish so are fairly reflective. I did try some with matt varnish but I much prefer the high gloss.

My recent class painted the Rudolph - who was co-designed by my sister Sharon and myself! When I ran my recent class I got the girls to try out foam sheets for the antlers - they are easy to cut and much sturdier that the felt I used here.

The snowman's hat is a polystyrene cup that has been shrunk in the oven like shrinky plastic - if you try this be aware it melts quickly and can produce toxic fumes if you cook it too long!!!

I hope you enjoyed a little look into some of the other stuff I do. And now Annette will be able to understand what I was talking about - LOL.

xXx

Personalised Stamps Arrive at Magnolia Down Under

NEW Stamps at Magnolia Down Under Store…

Kellie is really, Really, REALLY excited to offer you personalised stamps at Magnolia Down Under! These stamps are really popular and are great for personalising your work. When Kellie took hers to stamp camp, everyone loved them and wanted to order one for themselves so she thought "why not stock them myself"! Kellie doesn't muck about and has been speaking with Lisbet from Scrapmagasinet who has made the samples in the store HERE… these stamps are made and delivered from Norway but Kellie's designs are in English. Here is a couple of examples of what's on offer…

Plus MORE, so be sure to check them out HERE…. Please be sure to read all the details on the stamp listing.
**PLEASE NOTE : That you can't order these as Christmas presents as they will not arrive on time.**
 
xXx

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #28 - Bedazzled

This fortnight's challenge over at Magnolia Down Under is "Bedazzled"  - feel free to go crazy with crystal effects, dazzling diamonds, glitter, rhinestones etc - anything you like to bedazzle your project! I found this gorgeous Christmas ornament at my local shopping centre and thought it would be the perfect base for this challenge! With the frosted glass and silver glitter spots it looked fabulous as it was - but add in a glittery poinsettia flower and leaves, a big red bow and Tilda unwrapped and I'm loving the result. I added some crystal stickle spots to the wrapping paper and some red stickles to the ribbon in Tilda's hair!

Luckily I managed to get her whipped up at last weekend's camp - so for once I was ahead of schedule - LOL. Now just to get the Christmas tree up and pop her on!

Don't forget to pop over to the MDUC blog and check out the rest of the DT's amazing inspiration for you - I got a sneak peak and there are some AMAZING creations on show!!! And check out this gorgeous stamp that Kellie and her Magnolia Down Under Store is kindly giving away to the winner of this challenge - she's adorable!!!

xXx

More Stamp Camp Fun

Apart from being wonderful company the girls at last weekend's Stamp Camp are also fabulous and inspiring crafters. I was very lucky to have the lovely Alison at my table - and she managed to produce close to 60 amazing projects for a stall she's having this Friday!!!!! She certainly stunned us all with her fabulous work. One of the items she made was a cute card/box. Alison got the tutorial for this from Dawn Rapsas at UStamp and we were lucky to convince her to have a break from her pile of projects and teach us too.

To make mine I used the gorgeous Tilda Wrapped stamp from this year's Magnolia Christmas collection. Kellie from Magnolia Down Under turned up to camp with my order - it was like Christmas opening up my parcel and having a play! The DP and flower are also Magnolia - from Kellie's store - although she's still waiting on the flowers to arrive for sale - this was from a sample pack she gave her DT. I have used a touch of red stickles in the flower centre for a bit of glitter and colour - it looks much better IRL!!!

The top of the box opens up and becomes the card - I've stamped a SU Christmas tree on the inside leaving space to write a note too. The little drawer came in handy too. I came home from camp with a pile of punched snowflakes and other goodies tucked away safely inside. It was sooo much fun playing with other people's tools - my Bow Easy (Bowezi) caused a lot of fun and giggles thanx to Kristy and Kellie - the terrible twosome - LOL

I loved this little box soo much I worked on resizing it to fit a project I was working on for a gift - I'll show you that when I can!

Hope all your Christmas plans and shopping aren't causing you too much stress!!!

xXx

Fun and Funky Wednesday at The Stamp Spot

This is my second post for today - be sure to scroll down to check out Lisa's fabulous birthday blog candy - she has 5 prize packs on offer....

Now onto today's card - it's my Wednesday card for The Stamp Spot...

Last week I bought this gorgeous limited edition 80's Anya from The Stamp Spot Store and I just had to ink her up straight away. I love the cute legwarmers and off the shoulder top - a look I never mastered myself in the 80s so will finally master it now in ink - LOL. I chose this fabulous Bo Bunny Kitchen Spice DP to go with her - the combination is fun and funky and suits the 80's look - but would also look fab in many other layouts- I love stripes and checks!!!! Some gorgeous embroidered ribbon, rhinestones, doily and flowers embellish the final card.


All supplies are from The Stamp Spot Online Store except the CS - which is from SU.

Sorry this is a short post - the silly season is upon us and I have a mountain of things to do before I can get the Christmas tree set up!!! It was actually fun to make something that wasn't for Christmas for a change - LOL.

Take care - and I'm hoping to find some time soon to catch up on my bloghopping too - it's such a crazy time of year!!!

xXx

Lisa's Amazing Blog Candy!!!

My lovely friend Lisa at The Craft's Meow is celebrating her 50th birthday and giving YOU the chance to win one of 5 fabulous prize packs - that's one for every decade she's been alive! Check it out HERE.

It's simple to enter and I'll leave a link on my side bar too - you have until 11:59 PM Pacific Daylight Time on Sunday, December 13, 2009. Lisa will announce the winners on Tuesday, December 15th.

Good luck to all and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LISA!!!

xXx

Magnolia Ink Magazine Pre-Order

Kellie has just opened up the pre-orders for the second issue of the fabulous Magnolia Ink Magazine! The first one was full of wonderful inspiration and ideas - mine has been thumbed through several times now! And don't forget the template for my gingerbread house came from there too! The last issue sold out quickly so make sure you pop over to the Magnolia Down Under Store and pre-order your issue so you don't miss out!

PLEASE NOTE : This is a pre-order only - they are not available till January 2010 from Magnolia  - please keep this in mind when placing your order.

xXx