Magnolia Down Under Challenge #24 - Trick or Treat

This week's challenge over at Magnolia Down Under Challenges is Trick or Treat. I've said before that we Aussies don't really celebrate Halloween - although I LOVE some of the DPs and stamps I'm seeing on the American blogs and wish we had them here!!! I was VERY lucky to find one set of Pink Paislee DPs instore at my local Scrapbooking Shop though- and had stamped a couple of Kellie's witchy Tilda's a few weeks ago to play with so I had something to use for this challenge.

It may be hard to tell but this actually isn't a card! It's made from a wooden shadow box frame kit I found at the same scrapbook shop I found the DPs, the chipboard fence was from there too. I used one sheet of DP for the background - it had this marvellous design in the corner! I used some sparkling black EP to coat 2 die cut bats and one chipboard branch. The branch was attached to the inside of the frame to give the tree some depth. Witchy Tilda is coloured up this way after I saw the stage show Wicked and loved the green skinned Wicked Witch! Tilda also has Crystal Effects on her boots to give them shine and black stickles on her belt.

I'm not sure where this little gal will end up hanging - but she was a LOT of fun to put together! It's nice to do something other that a card sometimes!

Our wonderful sponsor this week is Bloomin' Pages Online store - they are offering a gorgeous stamp from Alota Stamps as the prize - check it out here at MDUC - along with all the other fabulout DT inspiration.

xXx

Kellie's Weekend Special at Magnolia Down Under

This is the second time this week I've posted twice in one day - what's going on!!!! I was making this card today when I got news of Kellie's fabulous weekend offer. I love this Magnolia cake slice - but after 2 days of clothes shopping with my daughter I think this is the ONLY type of cake I'll be seeing for the next few weeks - the diet starts NOW - why is buying new clothes sooo depressing!!!

The tutorial for the flower I made is here. All of the stamps and DP are from Magnolia and are available from Kellie's store - Magnolia Down Under. I've added some Crystal Effects to the "frosting" to make it look shiny and rich - just how I like my frosting to be. The punched hearts are smothered in Dazzling Diamonds as if they were sugar coated - did I REALLY say I was going on a diet - I'm feeling hungry now - LOL.

NOW check out the Weekend Special!!! From NOW until midnight, 11th October 2009 Melbourne time Kellie is offering these special package deals….

Kitchen Stamp
Chef Edwin Stamp
5.5″ x 5.5″ x2 of each design, giving you 12 sheets of Magnolia paper.

Usually Aus$ 35.30…. BUT for this weekend ONLY, so you better get in QUICK, you can get this pack for Aus$28.30 (this is not including postage) Like this offer? What about this one…

Kitchen Stamp
Chef Tilda
5.5″ x 5.5″ x2 of each design, giving you 12 sheets of Magnolia paper.

Usually Aus$ 35.30…. BUT for this weekend ONLY, so you better get in QUICK, you can get this pack for Aus$28.30 (this is not including postage).

WOW!!! Kellie only has a very limited amount of these packs on offer and it’s a case of first in first served. Once they sell out that is it they are gone. But they will be available as separates in store. So check out this amazing deal HERE…. and DON’T miss out!

If you want to check out how some of the DT have used some of these gorgeous stamps check them out HERE.. There are some wonderful ideas and inspiration for you all in one spot!

(If you are NOT from Australia please note Kellie is in the process of setting the cart up for international orders. If you are interested and don’t want to miss out, then drop her an email…. kelliewinnell@yahoo.com.au).

xXx

Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Challenge #1

Mo Manning's very first challenge has been hi-jacked by her characters Bella and Bronte - and they have chosen the colour "perple" for the challenge! This little guy (Bat Cat) is the very first Mo image that I coloured - and he has been sitting in my work-room waiting to be used for several weeks! As it's getting closer to Halloween I thought it was time he came out to play! We don't really celebrate Halloween in Australia but I do have an American colleague who does miss the fun of this holiday so I thought I'd give this to her - she often brings candy in to share with us so it will be nice to give something back.

But where is the purple you ask! The CS the card is made with is purple and there are purple stripes in the DP. The "boo" is cut out of the purple CS using my cuttlebug and there are 3 purple rhinestones in the top left corner - hope that qualifies!

I'm sooo going to enjoy playing along in Mo's challenges - any excuse to play with these fabulous images is fine by me - LOL

xXx

Anya Ink Challenge #1

YAY - I'm finally starting to feel like I'm getting back on track now! The kids are back and school and routines are back in place - for the most part! Now I can have a chance to play a little!

I really wanted to join in over at Anya Ink's first ever challenge, especially as it combines a colour combo I love with stamps I love - pink and brown with white or cream! I've layered 2 of my Fleur de Lis Nestabilities to create a snowflake - have you noticed I love snowflakes yet - LOL. Some fab DP from my stash created the perfect backdrop! I also added some white flower soft from The Stamp Spot to her earmuffs, muff and pom-poms. I figured the snowflake and Miss Anya were the stars here so I didn't need to much other embellishment!

Now why a Winter card when we're halfway through Spring here in Melbourne!?!?!?! Let me show you the weather on the day I was creating this - brrrrrrr. This hail storm was pretty heavy - I was soooo glad I had just got home from work and didn't need to go out again!!!

You gotta love Melbourne weather - it certainly can keep you guessing!!

xXx

Kellie's Magnolia Down Under Store - A Good Luck Card

Last Friday night I received some HAPPY MAIL from my lovely friend Kellie and new Boss Lady - I got some samples of the new Magnolia DP she's stocking in the new Magnolia Down Under Online Store! I also got some new rubber - oooh this is fun being on her DT! So what did I do you ask - I disappeared into my craft room and PLAYED of course!!!! I had this card made and in the mail on Saturday - a little something to send back to the lovely Kellie to wish her all the best for her new adventure. Of course I've delayed posting it here to give Kellie a surprise when she opens the envelope!

I've just received an email from Kellie to say it's arrived - so now I get to show it to you too - my second post today - unheard of - LOL

Kellie sent me the gorgeous "Kitchen" dresser stamp and I have used it a little differently here. For starters I chopped the top section off and used it as a window!!! I know - it looks fabulous where it is, but I really wanted this Tilda to be sitting on top of the drawers and something had to go! AND it shows you the versatility of the stamp so it's not ALL bad - LOL.

The drawers are actually layered 3 times - to give some depth to the image - very hard to capture in a photo - and there are mini rhinestone drawer knobs too!! Each jam jar is sitting on a different layer, and the top layer is just the drawers.

xXx

More Greeting Farm for The Stamp Spot to Celebrate the Launch of Anya Ink

This week I was going to move away from The Greeting Farm stamps and play with something different for My Stamp Spot DT day - but with Marcia and Tracey launching the first challenge on Anya Ink last Sunday I just HAD to use one - apart from the fact I love them!!!

This fabulous image was sent to me by my fellow Stamp Spot DT member, the lovely Sue - thanx Sue! I also wanted to use this gorgeous Poppy DP by SEI that Marcia sent me - check out the range at The Stamp Spot store here. I've used a strip of the reverse side near the bottom of the card, with a thin strip of Not Quite Navy CS on top. I used some thin double sided tape to attach the blue strip - but it was slightly wider than the CS - the solution - tip some glitter on the excess glue for a bit of sparkle!

The finishing touches involve nestabilities and cuttlebug embossing folders - both available from Marcia - the nesties do need to be pre-ordered though.

This afternoon I am heading out with my daughter to go shopping for an outfit for each of us for her graduation dinner later this month - I can't believe she's nearly finished High School!!! It will be a proud moment for her ol' mum and dad with her having to give a speech too - as outgoing College Vice Captain. She's been an amazing girl to bring up - just hope her brother is as easy through the High School years - LOL

xXx

More Mo and a Blogaversary!!!

I've had this gorgeous digital image coloured up for a few days now - just haven't had the chance to put her together!!! I had sooo many plans for these school holidays and haven't managed to do half of them - doing nothing but relaxing for the past couple of days hasn't helped - LOL. And it's back to the reality of school and work tomorrow - noooooooo!!!

I was reminded to use her though when Mo Manning - her wonderful creator!! - announced that some of the more popular Mo images are soon to be released as REAL STAMPS by Stampavie - GREAT news for those of you who don't like digis! This image - Rae with Journal - is one of the new stamps available for pre-order here.


Now onto the Blogaversary news...

I have been soo caught up in all sorts of things lately that I COMPLETELY forgot to check out my 1st blogaversay countdown! I knew it was coming up and had been squirelling away bits and pieces for a Blogaversary Candy - but haven't completed it yet!!! Thanx sooo much to 2 lovely comments from Sue Fitz and Teena from Toronto for wishing me a Happy Blogaversary and reminding me it was here!!!!

Soooooo - bear with me and I'll announce some belated Candy soon!

xXx

A Catch Up Of Some Projects!

With all the excitement of announcements and blog candy I thought I would slow down and catch my breath and show you sme projects I haven't posted yet!

This recipe swap was for the theme of Grilling! When we lived in America we became BIG fans of Cajun cooking and all of our visitors got introduced to this fabulous cuisine. Of course I HAD to bring a little bit of Cajun home with me - and many of our friends have enjoyed Cajun Blackened Fish on BBQ days at our house - so what better recipe to share with my fellow swappers. I paper pieced my favourite SU chef and popped some black pearl buttons on his top - very swish! A vibrant little fish from Fishy Friends (retired SU) looks quite happy on Cheffie's platter popped up on Dimensionals - hope he stays that way - LOL! Some Circle Circus stamped on the background for bubbles and a colour scheme to suit the recipe and I was done - and then 6 more needed to send off!

This is the other Card and Tag set I made for my library workshop - see here for the one we'll actually be making on the day and the class info. I wanted to show how the same concept can look soo different with DP. I LOVE this Ski Slope DP - think I have enough stocked for the next 10 years - LOL. I have 3D'd the Christmas tree by stamping and cutting out 3 extras on Old Olive and folding them in half before gluing them together - perfect for the recessed window card! A star brad on top hides the slightly messy top where all the points meet!

And this is the little box and bow we'll be making on the day! The box idea comes from the lovely Stampin' Alley and is 2 1/2" square. The bow is a smaller version of Dawn's from her video here. The bow dawn makes is pretty big so I needed to adjust the measurements to fit this cute box! Wouldn't these look great at each table setting on your Christmas table?

xXx

Some More Exciting News - AND I'm a small part of it!!! Woo hooo

Check out this AMAZING blog candy on offer from the wonderful Kellie Winnell. Recently Kellie left Stampin' Up to open her very own Magnolia Only Online Store - a dream she's had since I first met her - AND NOW IT's OPEN - The Magnolia Down Under Store - check it out here!!!!!!

Prior to achieving her goal she has set up Magnolia Down Under Challenges and become a DT member for Magnolia Stamps - a LOT in such a short time - it just shows you the immense talent this young lady has - a lady I'm soo glad to call my friend!

For a chance to win this fabulous candy check out Kellie's post here.

And how does this affect ME you ask???? I'm sooo proud and excited to let you know that Kellie has asked me to be on her MDU DT - along with some other FABULOUSLY talented ladies. FUN FUN FUN!!!

So pop on over and help Kellie spread the word and give yourself a chance to WIN WIN WIN! I know I'll be doing my bit to help her sell her supplies - to me - LOL!!!

xXx

The Candy Recipe is.....
Magnolia Stamp - Kitchen
Magnolia Stamp - Christmas Tree
Magnolia Stamp - Tilda with Strawberry Bucket
Magnolia Stamp - Santa is Coming to Town
Kaisercraft Rhinestones x 3
Kaisercraft Pearls x 4
Kaisercraft Rhinestone word - Friends.
Remember when Chipboard Owl
Remember When Chipboard Bird
Remember When Chipboard Birds on Branch
Remember When Chipboard Label
Bulk lot packet of Ribbon, burgundy, purple, pink, green with white dots and yellow.
Maya Road Red and Orange Suede Stitched Blossoms
Stampin' Up! packet of Felt Flowers
6 Pink Gem Brads
10 pink Paper Roses
Craft Affair Papercraft Brads
Prima Rose - Center Kisses.
1 meter of lace
1 meter of Stampin' Up! Striped Ribbon
1 meter of white lace like ribbon.
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Kiwi Kiss
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Pacific Point
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Riding Hood Red
1 meter of in colour Stampin' Up! Tangerine Tango
1 meter of Stampin' Up! Barely Banana
1 meter of Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery
Stampin' Up! Build A Brad
Prima - Gallery Roses
Prima - Pack of 4 Roses
Prima - Pack of 4 Roses
Prima - Trellis Roses Lemon Creme
Stampin' Up! Trio Flower Punch
2crafty Chipboard Boarder
X-Press It Tape
Pearl Head Pins
Packet 10 Autumn Leaves.

Some exciting news!!!

Marcia - my boss over at The Stamp Spot has some exciting news to share. Along with another talented blogging friend of mine, Tracey Feeger, they are starting up Anya Ink - an Australian based 'The Greeting Farm' challenge blog, that is open to everyone. And they are not just after cards, but whatever and however you use your Anya's, Ian's and Wild Sprouts! And it's launching THIS SUNDAY!!!! So pop on over and check it out here.

Marcia is also celebrating her 2nd blogaversary - GO MARCIA!!!! To celebrate she's offering some fabulous blog candy here - but hurry - it's ending this Sunday.

It's also made me think about my friends and how many I have never even met IRL!!! Blogging has become such a huge part of my life - and mainly because of the wonderful people I have "met" from around the world!! Thanx guys for being on the other side of the keyboard!

xXx