Mini Magnolia Fun Tutorial

Last week I posted some little key-rings I made for Christmas using my mini Magnolia Stamps - you can see that post HERE. I had a couple of people ask how I made them so I thought Id show you - it's really easy! I also decided to use a different Tilda for a change - but make sure the image you choose fits underneath the glass...

You'll need crystal effects, glue, a rectangular glass tile cabochon (these are flat on one side and have a curved edge on the top), a glue on bail and a coloured image. I bought my hardware at a recent craft show from a  Queensland company called Beads N.Crystals and the links I have given are to their pages.

I keep my glass in the plastic until I'm ready to glue it on to keep it from getting dirty- although I still give it a clean before using it. Once you have your coloured image ready add some crystal effects to the flat side of the cabochon and then flip it over and onto the image. Press firmly.

There will be some excess crystal effects ooze out from the side - simply use a scrap piece if paper to scrape it away before it sets. Now comes one of the hardest parts - WALK AWAY and leave it to dry - LOL.

Once it's dry flip it over and rub some dark ink over the back to hide the colouring lines and give it a clean look.

Then you can flip it back over and use a sharp knife to remove the excess paper.

I also use the knife to carefully clean any dried crystal effects left on the side of the glass - working the blade away from your hand for safety!!!! I also lightly sand the edges of the paper from the back.

The bail has a flat side and an indented side - designed to sit over the top of the glass and leave the back flat. 

I use a glue called GOOP to glue the bail on - it gives a nice strong bond. You can see the inked back in this photo too....

I then cover the back with more crystal effects to seal and protect the paper. And once again comes the hard part - WALK AWAY and leave it to dry - I usually leave it overnight just to be sure!!!!

Then just add your keychain, necklace or whatever else you want!

See I told you it was easy - I hope you give it a go!

Copics Used - Skin (E11, E00, E000, R20, R11) plus E44, E43, E41, E18, E13, BG49, BG13, BG11, BG000, G03, RV69, RV66, RV19, RV10

Mini Magnolia Fun

Before Christmas I made these little key-rings to pop into a couple of Secret Santa parcels I was sending out - they were so fun to do and sooo easy! I used this mini magnolia because she fit the glass tile I had the best - some of the others would have had bits missing - LOL. After colouring them up I simply used some crystal effects to glue them together. I also used an ink pad to tidy up the back before trimming to size and adding more crystal effects to the back to act as protection for the paper. Then it was a simple job to glue on a ring and add the key chain. 

I had it in my mind to make these into pendants but my daughter thought I was a bit strange and said no-one would wear them - although I don't think she knows what we crafters can be like at times - LOL. There is a pendant coming though - I can feel it in my bones!

Copics Used - 

Skin - E21, E11, E000, R20, R11

Hearts - R39, R27, R24, R21

Blue Tilda - B99, B95, B93, B91, E47, E44, E42, E40, W5, W2, W1

Yellow Tilda - YR27, YR24, Y08, E18, E17, E13, B93, B91

Guest DT at Deep Ocean Challenges

I was so excited when I was asked to be a Guest DT over at Deep Ocean Challenges this week. The theme is “Sporty and Outdoors”. I chose to use ice skating Tilda as she reminds me of all the years my daughter did figure skating. Unfortunately here in Australia we don't really have outdoor rinks but she has been lucky enough to skate outdoors in Paris and London so she can't really complain.

I learnt to ice skate outdoors up in the Swiss Alps where we lived when I was 5 - it's a memory I hold dear. I think the Make it Crafty ice skating lake and snowflake chipboard frame I used are a perfect link to those memories and tie everything together.

Check out what the rest of the DT have come up with and join in the fun - you have 2 weeks for this one.

Copics Used - Skin (E21, E11, E00, R20, R11) plus B21, B000, B0000, YG63, YG61, YG0000, C4, C3, C1, C0, C00, E29, E18, E17, E15, E13, RV55, RV52

Framing Mini World Magnolias with Scrapmatts

When I saw these gorgeous layered frames from Scrapmatts I just KNEW I wanted to use one of them with some Mini World Magnolias and how cute do they look sitting on the ledge?!?!?! The frames were easily coloured with copics, white ink and a gel pen to give each section definition - and a small piece of DP was added to the base piece before the rest of the frame was put together.

And now for a cheeky trick I used - I didn't have enough of this DP to cut out the backing piece for the frame as well as for the card back so I worked out my layout and cut a piece out - if you pull everything off the front of the card you would find a rectangular hole hidden by the flowers, frame and doily! I often do this sort of thing with the backing card - cutting out a matching shape with my nesties to frame and image.

Copics used - Skintones (E11, E00, E000, R20, R11) plus E44, E43, E42, E40, R89, R85, R83, R81, C5,C4, C2, C00, B97, B34, B21, G24

Make It Colourful - Re-Colour an Image

We have something a little different for you with our new challenge at Make It Colourful - it's a journey about self discovery! Our challenge this week is to re-colour an image that you coloured previously.  Zoe reminds us every day that we can only compare ourselves to ourselves.  If you’ve been following along with the challenges this year, you’ve had the opportunity to really stretch your colouring muscles.  Now, you can go back and look at where you were before and see where you are now.  You can check out the DT’s challenge projects in the GALLERY.   

I chose to re-colour an image I used on THIS card last year - I've really learnt a lot about deepening shadows, "Zoe pleats" and creating scenes over the past few months - and it's fun to see how it comes through when I compare. I haven't had a chance to pop this scene onto a card yet - but our challenges are about colouring so you don't HAVE to enter a card! I'll be sure to post my card when it's done though - have been running a tad behind this week!

I decided to add some of Make It Crafty's background stamps to create more of a scene - I've used the Ivy Swing (just the branch) and Cobblestone Path. This photo shows the Wedding Bling I added - soo hard to photograph so the quality of the picture isn't great - but I do love me some bling and wanted to show it off! It's fairly subtle on the bridal gown and veil which is just what I was hoping for!

Due to the Christmas holidays, we’ll have extra long for this challenge.  You have until January 11th to get your entries in!

Copics used for re-colour - R20, R11, R08, R05, R02, R01, R00, R000, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40, E11, E00, E000, C7, C6, C5, C4, C2, C0, C00, YR23, Y19, Y00, G28, G24, B0000

My Tilda Cuddles Give-Away

Don't forget to enter for a chance to WIN an EXCLUSIVE Shopbron Tilda Cuddles for yourself - check it out HERE.

xXx

Shopbron's Aussie Christmas Give-Away

The lovely Bron from Shopbron has invited several Maggie lovers from around the globe to play along on a Christmas give-away and I'm so proud to be one of them. Bron sent us all one of her EXCLUSIVE Tilda Cuddles stamps to give-away to one lucky person who visits our blogs. So if you leave a comment below you are in the running - I'll announce my winner next week - Monday 12th December. 

I just love this little Aussie Tilda cuddling that gorgeous Koala - I have a photo somewhere of me in a similar pose with my daughter in my arms and my husband holding a real Koala so this brings back fond memories. I also wanted to make my card as Aussie as possible - hunting down some fun Aussie versions of classic Christmas carols - and ending up using the same one my fabulous friend Kylie Keuter (thanx for the inspiration gorgeous lady!). I also borrowed a flowering gum stamp from a friend - thanx Deb A. I thought this Basic Grey DP tied in well too with it's Aboriginal painting feel.

So don't forget to pop along to Bron's Maggie Lover's Challenge Blog to check out all of the work from the designers from around the world and to see what other fun things Bron has planned.

Copics used - 

Flowering Gum - YG67, YG63, YG61, RV69, RV66, RV55, RV10, E57, E34, E31

Tilda Cuddles - R20, R11, E11, E00, E000, 100, C8, C5, C4, C3, C2, C1, C0, C00, E50, E44, E43, E42, E41, E40, E35, E33, E31, R01, B95, B93, B91, B0000

Make It Colourful - No Black Lines

Oopsie - I'm running a little late with this post - but then I wasn't sure I was going to get this done in time anyhow as I've had a nasty head cold since Thursday! Our challenge this week at Make It Colourful is to colour without using black lines on our images - so stamp in light coloured ink or reduce the opacity of your digital image before printing.

This was my first attempt at this technique and I probably used an ink that was too dark - I used a pale blue. I had meant to try again for this challenge with a pale pink ink but being ill made it hard to concentrate - and I couldn't figure out how to change the opacity of my digital images with the programs I have - it's on my to do list when I feel better!

There is a little bit of black on my Tilda - I felt her eyes and eyebrows needed to be seen so I used my black spica pen to pop them back in - the slight shine in her eyes almost makes her seem like she's watching me - LOL.

I admit I put this card together in a bit of a hurry after a nana nap and wish I'd had a chance to think about my ribbon choice - I worry it's a bit too overpowering for the softness this technique gives Tilda - ah well -  live and learn!

The Gorgeous ribbon slider is a lasercut chippie from Make it Crafty and is one of the Fancy Ribbon Sliders set.

Check out all the AMAZING tips on this technique at our blog HERE and then head on over to our NEW MiC GALLERY to see the DT examples and join up to showcase YOUR Make It Crafty masterpieces.

xXx

Make It Colourful - Pleats and Folds

This week at Make it Colourful it's all about adding pleats and folds. Our sponsor this week is Magnolia-Licious so I've used a Magnolia Christmas sentiment. I've also used Make it Crafty's Sitting Annalise digi stamp and popped her on some pleated and folded ribbon candy. The candy image came from one of my favourite decorative painting designers - Debbie Mitchell of Cozy Cubby fame. I have several of her gorgeous patterns and books from when I painted and always loved her ribbon candy - I thought it would be perfect for this challenge.

I've always found it fascinating to make something 2D look 3D by adding highlights and shadows with colour. I know there are some other AMAZING ideas for this challenge from the other MiC DT gals too - so check them out on our blog HERE. I've also used some Make it Crafty Flower Leaf Swirls lasercuts to add some sparkle.

xXx

Couture Collection Blog Hop

Today we have something special for you - my gorgeous and talented teamie Denise from Magnolia Down Under Challenges also designs designer paper - and it's just GORGEOUS! She asked some of us if we'd like to help her launch her latest designs using the card makers pack from the Couture Collection available HERE - and check out the rest of the range while you're there!

There is also some blog candy on offer for those that leave a comment at each stop on the hop!

I LOVE the gorgeous tones of this DP and since it is the STAR of the hop I didn't want to cover up too much of it. I used a glittered frame for my little Magnolia gnome to sit on rather than a shaped piece so the paper isn't hidden - it's just tooo delicious!

You're next stop on the hop is the fabulous Debbie Dolphin's blog - enjoy!

Here's the full hop list in case you get lost along the way

Meg

Denise

Bron

Debbie Pamment {ME}

Debbie Dolphin

Janiel

Fran

Jane

Karen

Louise

Sending You Well Wishes

When I saw the the Mini World Magnolia's I realised they would be fabulous with many of the Just INKlined landscape images. This is my second card to mix the 2 together and I'm really happy with the result. This is the Wishing Well and is available HERE. With little Tilda perched on the edge it shows it can work as a background as well as a central image - you gotta love that!

xXx

Magnolia So Special Collection Pre-Order

Hi all, I just wanted to let you know that you can now PRE-ORDER your Magnolia 'Your So Special Stamps HERE… at Tickled Pink Stamps, but you better get in QUICK, they are already flying out the store with 15% OFF and this is one of the cutest collections yet!

 Also the new Magnolia Ink is available for pre-order and is expected to arrive next week!!! Woo Hoo!!

xXx

Tickled Pink Stamps Monthly Sketch Challenge #7

Kellie has another fabulous sketch for us this month at Tickled Pink Stamps Monthly Challenges - and you can see she's liking the long and skinny style of cards at the moment. Unfortunately I'm a lover of the square card - so I included the sketch within my card - can you see it??? - it's standing on end. Sorry Kellie - you didn't get me to do a long card this time - LOL.

I used one of my Christmas Magnolia's that I bought from Tickled Pink Stamps. The DP is from the gorgeous Basic Grey Jovial paper pad. The little reindeer is from Stampin' Up.

Don't forget you have a whole month to enter and you can check out what the rest of the Tickled Pink Stamps DT have come up with to inspire you HERE.

xXx

"It's Show Time" at The Burtonesque Dolls with a Blog Hop!

Welcome to the start of what we hope will be a funtastic crafting adventure for all. The Burtonesque Dolls  are open for business and we're starting with a fun Blog Hop so you get you meet the DT in all their crafting glory.

If you've arrived here from Catherine's blog you're on your way. But if you've just happened upon this post you can always go back HERE to the START to check out the fabulous prize on offer and the rules of the game.  

The theme for our blog hop is the movie Beetlejuice. I used the movie poster to inspire me. The B&W stripe DP is a free digital paper from the wonderful Jak Heath. Beetlejuice's suit inspired the use of this particular paper. I've used Magnolia Stamps Bride and Groom for Barbara and Adam. The haunted house is a colouring page I found HERE on the internet. The movie quote was also found on the internet and just seemed to suit the card.

Before you go here's the clue you need to collect from me....

" Could go searching for victims in the London fog "

Before you go to the next stop in the blog I have this little prize for someone who comments on my blog. I'll be selecting a winner using random.org on May 4th - the date we have our very first challenge!!! My prize is your choice of 3 wonderful digital images from Spesch Designer Stamps.

Now head off to Jen's blog to collect the next clue.

Good luck and have fun!

xXx

Magnolia Ink Subscription Offer from Tickled Pink Stamps

Do YOU love the Magnolia Ink magazine??? Would YOU like to make sure you don't miss out on them for the next few months??? If the answer to these questions is YES then Tickled Pink Stamps has the answer for you. Kellie is offering a limited number of 5 issue subscriptions - check it out HERE. The pre-order for the next single issue is listed too if you just wanted to go one at a time - we're up to Magnolia Ink #4.

And how exciting for Kellie - that's HER card featured in the ad for the next issue - and isn't it just tooo cute!

Sorry - Australian residents only!

xXx

Life's a Fairy Tale at Tickled Pink Stamps

Magnolia's Fairy Tale Collection is currently on pre-order over at Tickled Pink Stamps - they only went on pre-order last Friday and Kellie's already sold out of many of the stamps! But don't stress - she has just listed her second pre-order of these beauties.

To coincide with the release Da Boss Lady asked the DT to use one of the Fairy Tale images on an easel card. What a hardship - LOL. I decided to make mine into a scene from Cinderella. The gorgeous princess carriage is one of the new release digis from Whimsy Stamps. The lace, orange flowers and DP were bought at Tickled Pink Stamps back when it was Magnolia Down Under. I found the shoe sticker in my stash - it was originally lilac so I coloured it with my white gel pen, followed by one of my blue copics and then doused it in dazzling diamonds - NOW it fits my colour scheme - LOL.

And did you notice the "Fairy Godmother" fluttering over the carriage to keep an eye on things??? Isn't she CUTE! Once again the photos just don't do the glitter justice - maybe one day - sigh!

I'm also going to enter this into Bec's Creatalicious Challenges - they are asking you to create something that has both flowers and wings on it - what a fun challenge!

xXx

A Family Portrait ...Of Sorts!

I'm not quite sure who's family this is but I kinda like 'em. Today I have a card for you that originated from a challenge one of our newest Magnolia Down Under DT members set for the rest of the DT. The lovely Kylie set us a challenge to use MASKING! Of course she set this because she knew our wonderful Boss Lady Kellie has never used this technique - way to get in good with Da Boss Lady - LOL. Kellie added to our challenge by asking us to use stamps from different companies - can you guess why????????

I ended up using these stamps -
Baby Buds - Owie
Magnolia - Background
Kraftin' Kimmie - Charlotte and Doll

After I had worked out what stamps to use I had to work out how to present them! I had some faux wood I'd made for a previous challenge left over so the "portrait" idea evolved - the faux wood tutorial I used is HERE. I've actually raised the "frame" up on dimensionals to give the card some more texture - I must admit to missing "popping" up my characters! I must also admit it took me FIVE attempts to get them almost right - I forgot to mask one set, I didn't line the background up properly on another, a stamp smudged etc, etc, etc!!

I ended up using the FIRST one I stamped out - typical!!! The problem with this one was some ink got on the edge of my tree stamp and left some nasty black marks sitting up in the "sky"- soooooo - after all those attempts out came my paper snips and I cut the whole lot out and glued it onto some speckled blue DP - LOL.

The fabulous leaves and flowers I got from Magnolia Down Under and my personalised stamp, also from Magnolia Down Under, finish off my card!

I THINK I had fun - LOL - Thanx Kylie and Kellie for the challenge!

xXx

The 50th Card For My Daughter To Give!

Last weekend we had my daughter's boyfriend's family over for a BBQ. Apart from having a lovely time getting to know each other I also managed to get an insight into what sort of card Matt's mum would like for her 50th - I made THIS one for Matt to give her but still had to make one for my daughter to give. Robyn seemed to prefer to simpler ones and loved the Father's Day one I made HERE - so this CASE of Norma's idea was the perfect choice - and it was the one my daughter chose too! I've used this idea twice before to make 40th cards - but guess my friends are ageing with me and the 50th's are starting - LOL.

The DP is Basic Grey while the main flower is layered using Kaisercraft flowers. The 50th was computer generated and then printed onto SU's Elegant Eggplant CS. After cutting them out I clear embossed them twice to give them some glass like shine. Unfortunately I had been using white embossing powder the day before and several flecks found their way onto the top layer - aaaaaaagh. What to do - reprint the numbers and start again - or make a positive out of a negative???? I ended up sprinkling on some extra white EP and heat setting it to see how it looked - and as both Sarah and I thought it looked more interesting this way I kept them! I did learn not to hold the heat gun at an angle as the white flecks slid sideways as the clear EP melted - see the top of the "5". Never mind - these are one off numbers - LOL.

I've been busy working on Sarah's debutante album - it's only taken me 18 months to get started as I'm really not a scrapbooker - but I DID promise her one and now it's taken over my work space!!! I'll share some pages with you soon....

xXx

Just Christmas and Birthday Cards Sketch #49

I haven't had much chance lately to play over at Just Christmas and Birthday Card Challenges so I'm rapt I had an opportunity today! This week's sketch is by Karin and I just love it! I have twisted it on it's side though.

The reason I had a chance to stamp was that without any warning the electricity company decided today was the day they needed to replace our connection to the grid! So without power and unable to leave home as they needed access to the garage, it was the perfect chance to craft! I was supposed to be out sourcing blinds or curtains for the room my BIL and his wife will be staying in when they arrive next month from England! Guess what I'm up too tomorrow - LOL.

I've used some DP from Stampin' Up and paired it with Whisper White and Pacific Point CS. The sentiment is also from SU - a retired set called Flaky Friends. The snowman is from last year's Magnolia Christmas collection - I thought he better see ink before my new season snowman gets here - you should check out the new ones at Bizzy Becs - they are sooo cute - it was hard to stop at getting just one of them!

The large snowflake is a nestie and I have covered it with Crystal Iris Chunky Glitter from SU. I may have resigned as a SU demonstrator recently but I still love their products! I have topped these with a plain punched snowflake and a pale blue rhinestone!

Now to work out which one of my friends this one will go to at Christmas - there's a few it might fit - LOL.

xXx

Another 40th Birthday Card

I know I know - another CASE of a previous card I've done - this one - LOL. But this card from Norma is just waaaaayyyyyyy too adorable to only CASE once - and I've gone with completely different colours and even a different Tilda this time! I also used my brand new leaf punch from Bizzy Becs. I love how this colour combo turned out. My previous card was a lot more dramatic in red, black and white. This card is fresh and pretty - perfect for a Spring birthday - although technically the actual birthday girl was born in Winter - the party was on a beautiful sunny day with Spring in the air! I'm sure this isn't the last time you'll see me CASE this layout - I just can't go past it for a BIG birthday!

Thanx again Norma - you are a true inspiration to soo many of us!

xXx