MY BLOG CANDY GIVEAWAY!! THIS POST WILL REMAIN AT THE TOP UNTIL MAY 31ST. PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR CURRENT POSTINGS!

THIS CANDY IS NOW CLOSED!! I WILL DRAW A WINNER TOMORROW MORNING, JUNE 1ST

THANK YOU!

Happy day to you all!

I had mentioned that I was putting some blog candy together as a thank you  for the wonderful support and friendships I've made in the blogging world!  So finally, here it is!!  I've had a lot of fun putting this together so I hope you will enjoy what I've included!  This is what you can win:-

Set of 4 stamps (kindly donated byThe Stamp Barn)

1 Background stamp (again from The Stamp Barn)

1 package metal charms

K&Co Chipboard Alphabet

1 package self-adhesive ribbon

1 package baby ribbons

2 spools ribbon

1 package Glitter Film (Blue Lake)

12 cards (assorted colours 3 1/4" x 7 3/4")

1 package rub on letters

Package 3D dots

Decorative corner punch

Fuschia Flower Soft

1 mtr crochet lace

Petal Pink Liquid Pearls

Selection of Prima flowers

1 package adhesive pearls

1 package paper roses

24 rhinestone brads

12 decorative metal brads

To qualify for this candy you will need to:

• Leave a comment below this post
• Post a link of my candy onto your blog
• Sign up to become a follower (if you aren't already!!)

If you don't have a blog you can still qualify for the candy so long as you leave a comment telling me!  I will ship worldwide so please join in!  This candy will close the evening of May 31st.  Good luck everyone!

Big hugs to you all!

Gorjuss Girl - Just a Note

Hi there!

This weekend is flying by!  Yesterday I was a little overwhelmed with the mess in my craft room so I decided to have a good ol' clear out and sorting and my room and desk are now back in ship shape condition, lol!! It makes life so much easier when trying to find stuff, plus I'm not tripping over layers of stuff lying on the floor at my feet!

Anyways, I managed to get this card done and I used the Friday Sketchers sketch and the Cute Card Thursday challenge ' Bling It On'.  Whilst I enjoyed the sketch I did find creating the octagon a little challenging so forgive me if it doesn't look equal on all sides!!  I used this sweet Gorjuss girl and I thought the sentiment 'Just a Note' was perfect for it, with her holding a letter and all!  This is the first time I've bought and used a blingy swirl and I love it - can see more of those purchases being made!!  It's hard to tell on the photo but the white panel is embossed. The sentiment is from The Stamp Barn.  Here's a pic of the inside which I finished - very simple and plain.

Well, thanks for stopping by today and leaving a comment.  Don't forget there's only a few hours left on my BLOG CANDY so sign up if you haven't already done so!  I've been so overwhelmed with the response and the fact that my followers are over 100 and I'm on the verge of 10,000 hits that I will be adding a couple of extra surprise pieces in!

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday afternoon and evening!  I'm off to blog hop and catch up on some commenting!

Hugs,

Friday Sketchers Challenge - One Shy Kiss!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Well, it's still gloomy and rainy here in Ottawa so what better way than to spend it crafting!!  At last I manage to get the Friday Sketchers challenge in before the next one is due!  I've had this sweet Sarah Kay image coloured for a while and just hadn't had the right card to complete it until now.  The FS sketch worked perfectly for this image.

I used my copics to colour it in and I have to say I'm really happy with some of the shading I achieved on this one.  Practice is beginning to show some results, lol!!  The papers are from BG Marrakech.  I ran the back panel through the Argyle cb embossing folder and using my sewing machine to adhere it to the matting behind.  I used my medium and small retro flower punch and a new Bosskut corner scroll die cut (love it!).  I added a twine bow on one of the flowers for a final touch.

Thanks for stopping by today for a visit!  Your comments are always so uplifting so thank you for taking the time to leave one!

Hugs,

Froggy Gift - A Truly Scrumptious Challenge!

Hello everyone!

My first High Hopes stamp arrived in the mail last week and I'm thrilled with it - and now a little hooked on these stamps!!  He is so cute and was just a dream to colour.  This will be a handy stamp for my collection what with 3 boys and lots of birthdays to make cards for!

This card is a Joy Fold Card and am using it for the Truly Scrumptious challenge this week which is to create a card with more than one fold.  This is the first time I've done one of these and it certainly won't be the last!  It is a really great card fold.  The tutorial can be found here. 

I coloured with my Distress Inks (Tattered Rose, Faded Jeans, Spiced Marmalade, Frayed Burlap, Shabby Shutters) and a couple of colours from my Tombow markers.  Paper, buttons, twine and eyelets from my stash.

The sentiment for the inside of the card is a $1.50 find from Michaels.  Apologies for the poor quality pictures, it is miserable weather here today and not very good light at all.

Thanks for stopping by today - I hope you enjoyed my posting and are able to join in with this fun challenge today.  Take care!

Hugs,

Altered Notebooks - And an Award!

Hello all!

I have a quick posting just to share some of the other altered notebooks I finished.  I have had people interested in buying these for their teacher gifts so I guess I will be making more for my own sons' teachers!  It's a good thing they're fun to do!

I will try and be back later with another posting if possible!

Thanks for stopping by!

Hugs,

EDIT:

I received this beautiful award from my sweet and very talented blogging friend, Cheryl. Thanks so much for this Cheryl - it's such an inspiring award to receive!  It is for one who shows great attitude and gratitude! 

The rules of the Lemonade Stand Awards are

comment on this blog

*cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog

*nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude

*link to your nominees within your blog post

*comment on their blogs to let them know they received the award

*link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation

So now I will pass it on to the following great bloggers who are always inspiring me…

Joey

Judy

Christine

Riet

Nikki

Under the Sea - A Magnolia Down Under Challenge

Hi there!

Wow - thank goodness the weekend is over!  Lots of fun but busy busy!  My day at Art in the Park yesterday (an annual village festival) went off very well and I received beautiful comments and compliments about my work.  Had lots of girls stamping and getting enthusiastic for learning more - gotta love that!!  The sun shone all afternoon for us - it was beautiful.

Well, with some quiet time I had to myself this afternoon I was able to get a challenge card done. Over at Magnolia Down Under the challenge this week is 'Under the Sea' so of course I just had to use my mermaid Tilda and the gorgeous rainbow fish (they hadn't even seen ink yet!).

I cut a nesties circle out and glued the fish down in place.  I used a SU! seaweed stamp along the bottom then I covered the whole circle with glossy accents to give a clear water effect.  It took a while to dry but I love the end result.  I coloured Tilda with my Tombow markers, trimmed her then popped her up in the corner.  I used Fantasy Film to matt the nesties circle which adds lots of shimmer and sparkle!  I also added some angelina fibers behind Tilda for yet more sparkle!

The starfish is an Alota stamp.  Cuttlebug embossing folders and clear dewdrops add the finishing touches to the card.  Here's a close-up of the glossy accents over the fish.

I hope you like it!  Thanks for your visit today and taking time to come by!  I'm off to catch up on some commenting!

Hugs,

Baby Carriage

Hi there!

A quick posting for you as my weekend is jam packed with teaching a card class on Saturday morning then doing the 'Art in the Park' on Sunday.  Trying to get as many cards finished and ready to sell! 

However, my neighbours just had their first baby, a little girl, and this is the card I made.  I didn't have a ton of time so it's pretty simple in design and layout.  This baby carriage is a true tried and tested baby card of mine - it's super easy and I really love it!  For those of you who haven't seen it, I punch a 2" circle out of cs, cut it in half and then the other half into quarters. Two smaller circles with brads or eyelets for the wheels, a twisted piece of wire for the handle and there you have it!  Of course, you can pretty it up with different papers etc. but I kept this one simple.

Thanks for stopping by and paying me a visit!  I love to see you here and of course read your comments!  I wish you all a wonderful weekend and hopefully will get to post in a couple of days!

Hugs,

The Next Level - a new challenge blog!

Good evening all!

Just wanted to let you know of this fab new challenge blog to hit the blogging world!  The Next Level sounds very exciting and can't wait for it to start.  In the meantime, be sure to check it out and just look at this fab candy that is up for grabs by going over and finding out what it's all about!

Have a great evening!

Hugs,

Teacher Gift - Tilda Notepad

Hi again!

I'm back for my second posting today!  Our town is holding an 'Art in the Park' festival this coming Sunday and I've signed myself up to have a booth and hopefully sell my cards and demonstrate some cardmaking.  I'm really excited about it!  With this in mind I found these fabulous paper pads at the Dollar store today and decided to alter them into teacher gifts!  I loved doing this project and am thrilled at how they turned out.  This fun paper is awesome for covering the pad and I just love the colours.  Tilda was coloured with Distress Inks and I used the nesties Labels 4 for the main panel.  Here's a close up picture with the Prima flowers and MS branch punch.

The final photo is of the inside panel. I used a journalling stamp from The Stamp Barn to create an 'important numbers' list which was die cut using my nesties curved rectangles.  The flowers were made using my medium and small size retro flower punches. 

Thanks for stopping by again today - I really appreciate it!  I hope you enjoyed my notepad project - I plan on making a few more which will hopefully get sold on Sunday!

Have a great evening everyone!

Hugs,

Another Roly Poly!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I have another Roly Poly to show you - I have used this one before but The Stamp Barn asked me to make them some more cards with these new stamps.  So, of course I did!  This is Roly Poly Chick and I've used my Prismacolour pencils for the first time!!  I was given a set of these over a year ago and they've sat in my drawer unused 'cos I just didn't know how to use them properly and I was a bit intimidated by all the beautiful colouring out there with them too!!!!  Anyhow, I am fairly happy with the end result.  They are quite fun to colour with so I will enjoy picking them up a bit more in the future!

The circle background stamp is also from Sunshine Designs which I stamped in Memento Dark Cocoa.  The flowers I made myself with my medium retro flower punch.  I ran 3 through the circles embossing folder in my cuttlebug and then placed it over a plain one and placed a lime green brad through the centre - I love them - I think they add a real hippy chic feel to the card! The ribbon down the side and the embellishment are from stash.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit today - if you're a Magnolia fan like me, then be sure to check out the previous post and upload your creations to Simon Says Stamp to win a seriously fun shopping spree! 

I wish you all a wonderful day today!

Hugs,

Want to win a $100 shopping spree at Simon Says Stamp???

If you love the new Magnolia "Chasing Butterflies" set and you would like to win a shopping spree worth $100 then carry on reading ! SIMON SAYS ........

"*BLOG CANDY ALERT!

OK Folks, our idea gallery is SERIOUSLY lacking for these new AWESOME stamps! I just know some of you have already made beautiful cards and projects with the Chasing Butterflies Magnolias from above. ..and some of you already have ideas on what you are going to create with these ever so cute designs!Would you enter your work in our blog candy contest? All you have to do is copy and paste the http address into the mr linky below from your work, enter your name, and leave a comment in the comments section stating which stamp(s) you used in your creation. You will be entered to win $100 shopping spree to Simon Says Stamp from your blog post!! The random drawing will be held May 31! Don't have the stamps yet...?? Just click on one of the links above and you will be taken to our store where you can purchase them! Or CLICK HERE and you will see them all in our Simon Says Stamp store.YES, THAT IS RIGHT! $100 SHOPPING SPREE TO SIMON SAYS STAMP!

To enter this fabby competition you need to go to the Simon Says Stamp Blog and follow the instructions below :

*Use Mr. Linky to showcase your work!
*Comment at this blog entry to let us know which stamp(s) you used
*We will draw a random winner May 31 for $100 shopping spree! YAHOO!

Please note that if you enter this blog candy, we might showcase you and your work on our blog and store in the future.

Sound good?

Luv, Heidi"

What are you waiting for........???

Morning Star Unicorn

Good Morning all!

Well, this is a new stamp from Heather's new line called Enchanted Hollow and this gorgeous unicorn is Morning Star.  Isn't she just the most beautiful unicorn you've seen!!  I fell in love straight away, lol!!  Now, this stamp is perfect for really any colour but I thought I would go with the lovely turquoises and sea greens, leaving the main body a neutral ecru colour.   I used my silver sakura gel pen to highlight some parts of her mane and tail.  

The layout of the card is pretty simple, using two square panels of dp with the stamped image being the focal panel in the middle.  I used my 2 sizes of retro flower punches and added 2 plain white prima flowers in each corner.  Small adhesive pearls were used in the flower centers and then I dotted them around the card to give it an extra magical feel.

I have to say I really love this card and it just makes me smile every time I look at it!  This will be a tough one to part with!!

I hope you are all enjoying a fabulous day and thanks so much for your blog visit today!  I love reading your comments so I thank you!

Hugs,

Friday Sketchers Challenge - Roly Poly Bee!

Happy Monday!

It's a happy one here as it's a long weekend and today we still get to relax together as a family!! I've used a stamp from the new set of Roly Poly stamps from Sunshine Designs by The Stamp Barn.  Isn't he cute!!  He was a lot of fun to colour and I used my Distress Inks and tombow markers.  The layout is the Friday Sketchers challenge this week created by the fabulous Claudia! Of course I had to use yellow and black for my colour scheme, with the Roly Poly being a bumblebee and all!  I used a circle punch with a nestie die cut behind.  That gorgeous border punch was a new purchase from Michaels this weekend - it's by EK Success and called 'Parisian' - isn't it just divine!  I placed a pale yellow flower under the lace border with a smaller centre over the top and adhered together with a black brad.  I really love how this turned out.

Thanks for your visit today - I hope you're all enjoying a fabulous day!

Hugs,

Just Magnolia & Magnolia Down Under Challenges!

Happy Sunday to you all!

I've managed to combine two challenges into this one card.  I purchased this gorgeous Tilda with Tulips stamp yesterday on a trip to Heather's and couldn't wait to ink her up!  The sketch layout is the challenge over at Just Magnolia and MDU is Flutter by Butterfly.  I flipped the sketch the other way as I wanted Tilda looking towards the butterflies.  I had tremendous fun colouring this Tilda in with my Distress Inks and tombow markers and have to say I'm very pleased with the final result.  The papers are from K&Co (purchased at Wal-Mart) and the sentiment is from The Stamp Barn.  Flowers, leaf & butterfly punches (MS) and dew drops are from stash.

Thanks for coming by with a visit today - it's always so much appreciated!  And don't forget to sign up for my blog candy giveaway - it's my way of thanking YOU guys for your wonderful comments!

Hugs,

Happy Anniversary Hedgehogs!!

Evening All!

Just wanted to share this little anniversary card that I put together for some friends of mine.  This cute hedgehog image is one I received from Linda - aren't they so cute!!  I coloured using my copics and highlighted the image with my clear sakura gel pen and added stickles to the heart. The image was cut out on the nesties labels and I matted it with a layer of black and cream cardstock.  I used the cuttlebug heart embossing folder and a prima flower with a felt heart embellishment for the centre.  The sentiment is from Studio G.

Thanks for coming by tonight - I always love your visits!  Take care and I hope you have a wonderful start to the weekend!

Hugs, 

Skater Dude - Cute Card Thursday Challenge

Hi everyone!

It's a late night posting so I'll be quick but I got a chance to do the Cute Card Thursday challenge today - to use letters or numbers on your card.  I took the opportunity to make an upcoming birthday card for my eldest son's best buddy who turns 11 next month.  Wow - can't believe I'll actually be ahead of myself for once, lol!!

This skater dude image was a RAK received from my dearest friend, Linda, who has been so incredibly generous to me with the sharing of images.  I coloured him up with my copics, cut the panel out with the curved rectangles nestability and doodled a bit around the border.  The paper is Basic Grey - aren't they awesome boy papers!!  The final element to the card are those super cool screw head brads - aren't they great!  I thought they added a great 'guy' touch to the card.

Well, that's it from me.  I wish you all a wonderful evening/Friday depending on when you read this post!

Thanks for paying me a visit and I'll see you on your blogs!

Hugs,

Edit

I have just seen the Copic Creations challenge for this week and it is blonde hair, so I'm also submitting this card in for that!  

Cute Card Thursday & Friday Sketchers - Gorjuss Girl

Hello!

Wow, I received very happy mail today - my sweet blogging friend, Heather, sent me some Gorjuss girl images to play with and I couldn't wait to get started!!  Thank you Heather,  I LOVE THEM!!!  Uh oh, I sense my wish-list is growing again, lol!!

So I made this card using the Friday Sketchers challenge layout - very fun!  I found these pretty papers in my stash (not sure which company, sorry!) and coloured Miss Gorjuss girl with my tombow markers.  I adore these colours - they're so fresh looking, especially the aquamarine!  I incorporated the sentiment on the card to use for the Cute Card Thursday challenge 'Happy Mail' which can be sent out to children fighting cancer and other illnesses in hospital (Post Pals). I will definitely post this out and hope it gives a child the strength to believe in herself and stay positive in her battle.

I finished up the inside too and kept it pretty simple using co-ordinating paper from the outside. The flowers are the Martha Stewart Hydrangea punch. 

Well, I wish you all a beautiful day.  Thanks for stopping by and for all your inspiring and supportive comments!  

Hugs,

Danielle x

Beautiful awards today!!

Evening everyone!

Wow, I received these awards today from Cheryl and Sue- thank you so much for nominating me for them - I am incredibly touched!  Blogging really is about sharing and appreciating other crafters and knowing your comments can make a big difference in someone elses life.  Your comments here ALWAYS uplift me and make my day an even happier one.  So thank you for supporting me and loving me with your kind words each and every day.  I appreciate each and every one of you and consider you all my dear blogging friends. 

So with all of the above, I can't just nominate 5 people!  These awards are for all of you so please, if you visit, be sure to take the award back to your blog with you and pass it on and spread the love and support!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Thoughts of You!

Happy Monday to you all!

Had some quiet time to myself this afternoon and ignored the housework and went down to my craft room instead!!  I put together this card for the Magnolia Down Under Challenge 'Thinking of You' and also the Just Magnolia challenge which is to use stitching on your card this week.  I coloured Tilda and her wall with my Tombow markers.  Stitching is on both the blue and patterned paper panels.  

I'm making this a quick one as I have to dash out and pick my little guy up from Nursery School! Thanks for stopping by today and taking the time to look and leave a comment!  Hubby is away this week so should have plenty of time to blog hop this evening once the boys are in bed!! :)

Hugs,

Danielle x

Happy Mother's Day!

Good Sunday morning all!

Scout camp got cut short this weekend - we had a day of rain and thunderstorms yesterday and we all decided to pack up camp early!  The boys were a little disappointed but we had a lot of fun with the time that we did have there.  The upside is I'm home with the family for Mother's Day!

Other news that has just made my day even better is I got chosen in the TOP 3 for the Magnolia Down Under Challenge.  I'm so thrilled and can't wait to proudly display my blinkie!!

We don't have much planned today and the weather isn't too great so hopefully I'll get a bit of 'mommy' time and play a bit in my craft room! 

And to all you wonderful mothers and grandmothers out there - have a fantastic Mother's Day!!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Just Magnolia & Magnolia Down Under Challenges

Hi there!

I hope you are all well.  I found a little crafting time this afternoon and managed to do this card and combine 2 challenges in 1!  The sketch layout is from Just Magnolia and MDU was to create a card for Mother's Day.  This Edwin image is a cutie I received from Linda and as I have 3 boys thought it would make such a cute Mother's Day card with Edwin giving roses for his mom!  I loved the sketch - it was really fun to work with.  I coloured Edwin with my copics and I used black on his trousers for the first time - it's a tough colour to work with!  Not sure I'm happy with the end result - more practising required!!  The papers are K&Co.  I sewed around the edges for some simple detailing.  Pearl brads and a small rose/flower ensemble finishes the card off.   I also added Diamond Stickles to Edwin's wings.

To create the sentiment I stamped it with Black Stazon on shrink plastic, used a circle nestie die cut, punched a hole then used my heat gun to heat and shrink.  I am really happy with the way it turned out!  Here's a close up of my handmade charm.

Thanks for stopping by today and taking the time to look and post a comment!  I love reading all your comments, they truly make my day a happier one!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Friday Sketchers -

Hello!

Wow, my days don't seem to be slowing down at all at the moment!  I barely got a moment today but I did manage to squeeze in the Friday Sketchers challenge at last.  It was a fun sketch and I'm using this new release 'Meet the Roly Poly's' from Sunshine Designs by The Stamp Barn - isn't she cute!!  I just love her - maybe it's the whole tea thing - you know, being English and all!! 

The card details are pretty straight forward - I coloured her in with my tombow markers, the cardstock and dp is from Creative Memories and the ribbon is SU!  Flowers are from stash with a sweet lilac pearl stone for the centres.  I used the SU! word window punch for the sentiment and the D'Vine swirls CB embossing folder.  Following the sketch and using the shaped panel on this card is out of my normal 'box' but I like being challenged like that - it's good to get doing things you wouldn't normally do!

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment, I love reading them all and I appreciate every single one of them!  I hope you're all enjoying a fabulous evening!

Hugs,

Danielle x

Tutorial - Collapsing Envelope Box by Marie Browning

Hi there!

I know many of you asked for this tutorial a while back when I posted the box I had made and so finally, here it is!  Many apologies for the delay but I guess better late than never!  I hope you are able to follow it - if you have any questions, please feel free to message me.

1.  Start with a sheet of cardstock measuring 8x12" and score at 2", 2", 4", 2" & 2" along the length of the paper. Turn the paper and score at 2" from the left and 2" from the right along the width.

2.  Cut out a 2" square in each of the 4 corners.

3.  Hand score and fold on the dotted lines.  

 

4.  On the end flaps, fold in each end to form 2 small triangles, as shown.  Glue down.

5.  Fold each corner to form an arrow like shown in the photo.  Glue down to hold.

6.  Tuck each of the 4 flaps behind the triangle fold and glue to hold down.

7. Fold in the middle score lines and as you do this, the box will naturally fold down and the two triangle flaps will meet in the middle.

8.  Cut a 9" length of ribbon and wrap it around the flat envelope box.  Be sure to leave a little bit of room to manouever the ribbon on and off.  Punch out a decorative piece of cardstock, decorate and finish.

My cardmaking session with the girl guides last night was a blast - some incredibly talented young ladies out there.  I hope my passion for cardmaking has ignited a desire in these young women to pursue or continue their love of crafting!  Thanks for stopping by today and please leave me a comment if you enjoyed this tutorial.  I hope to get some challenges done a little later.

Hugs,

Danielle x