A mid-winter Christmas card.

I've had fun with this, I love making Christmas cards in winter, and this has been fun.

A new Addiction....

and yes it's legal lol! I've become very keen to entering cards in challenges, I have decided it's a great way to make me think outside the square and out of my comfort zone. So with that said the latest one is a challenge over at The Official Magnolia Inspiration blog ,  and talk of out of my comfort zone, this challenge involved YELLOW!!!! I never work with yellow, but I decided to have a go and my wonderful friend came up with the idea of Autumn, which of course it is here in New Zealand, well it's really winter but the colours are still golden and brown, so with that inspiration in my head and her fab idea of Autumn leaves, this was the result. I'm really thrilled with it and am not having pink withdrawals at all, might be the start of a new phase. :)
Thanks for looking.

I used Nestabilities to cut the background for Tilda, the leaves are punched and inked, the flowers are punched, inked and molded with a ball tool and the net sprayed with Glimmer mist. I have coloured Tilda with Distress inks and water colour pencils.
Just a wee bit chuffed I must say.
PS This is the sketch I had to follow,

Tilda Challenge.

I have been doing my usual and browsing blogs that feature Magnolia stamps, and I found this challenge on http://magnoliastamplovers.blogspot.co.nz/ and decided to get brave and enter a card. I was going to upload the one I made last night but when I was going through the ones I've made I'm undecided which one to enter lol! However I have to make a decision soooo I'm going to enter this one.

I love this stamp, pretty sure it's called "Tilda wants a hug"! I have used Prima flowers and also Handmade ones, the key, heart and padlock were cut on the Cricut and "Cuttlebugged and embossed. The decorative corner is Spellbinders. I have coloured Tilda with Tim Holtz Distress inks. There are also pearls as well as Perfect Pearls on here. Have also used various papers and muslin.
Hope you like it and thanks for looking.

Monday Sugar Fix.

Been playing with this card over the weekend and just finished it, not quite happy with how it sits, but happy with the card, of course it's a Tilda stamp, the fold is called a Napkin Fold.

Some of the latest...

Magnolia cards, I do have other stamps but right now I just can't go past these little sweeties. Plus these are the new ones I got for Christmas so excited to finally get to play with them.
I have used various papers, Spellbinders Nestie Dies, Cuttlebug embossing, Cricut diecuts, and gallons of Stickels and Perfect Pearls.
To say I'm unashamedly chuffed about the way they turned out would be an understatement. :)

How cute is this little girl?

I just love the pose of this little Tilda. I was inspired by the latest Magnolia magazine to make this card and I'm really happy with it.
So many layers but a great effect when it's finished.
I painted her with the Tim Holtz Distress pads, I just smear a little on a tile and use a water brush to paint with. Sometimes I use the refill bottles, I think these are best cos you can just drop a little onto the tile.
I have become very influenced by what I see done in the Magnolia Magazine. the European ladies do such gorgeous work, lots of lace and flowers etc etc. I used the Cheery  Lynn Designs Holly branch die behind my flowers, I love this wee die as a base. The lace punch is Martha Stewart and the little sentiment pendant is Spell-binders. I have recently discovered Perfect Pearls and can now see how fabulous they are to add that little something. The butterfly's are assorted punches I've had forever.
Anyway I had some new magnolia stamps arrive yesterday so I'm planning on playing with them today before I go to work.....and then two days off Yah! There will be time to play I hope!
Ltr.

Another Christmas Card.

Saw this type of card on youtube and thought it would be great for those "newsy cards", when you want to include a letter.
My Minds Eye papers, Magnolia and Girls Paperie stamps, Distress Stickles and Perfect Pearls
Now onto the next one!

Starting to look like Christmas

Have been working on this for a couple of days and I've had fun and now I'm blown away!AmaZing what you can do when you are having fun!

Yah the sun is shining...

it's been very cold here all week, not like Autumn, more like winter, but today is gorgeous. The sun's out and there is a bit of warmth in it as well.
Well another extremely busy week, but as well as continuing to be busy at work life at home has been crazy as well..... we have decided to take the plunge and decided the time is right, to continue on with our renovations. So stage two will be window frames, weather boards, the front porch and hopefully something done with the kitchen. Oh and then of course painting the house.....mmmmm quite a list I know but needs must so it's going to be exciting if not scary. But the action starts on Monday with a round of visits from trades-people and discussions, quotes decision making etc etc.
But firstly tomorrow I have the day off and I'm going to spend it with my scrap buddies, not scrapping but making cards cos........my new Tilda stamps arrived on Thursday and I haven't had a chance to get them near ink and paper so I'm desperate to play.
So I must go and start packing my stuff so that I don't have chaos in the morning.
Not being awful but I won't mind if work is a teeny bit quieter tonight tee hee.
Oh before I go, anyone in the Dunedin area you must try the new Gaslight cafe that has opened on St Andrew street, their chef is Logan McPherson, a two times Beef and Lamb Ambassador, and a wonderfully creative guy. His menu is based on French and Italian cafe type food and will be amazing. Check it out.
As for me....I'. gone! Ltr.

Well today

has been a wet miserable Autumn Monday, but the sun's been shining here....cos it's my day off! It's been a really busy weekend, Saturday was busy at the hotel and yesterday we had a stand at a Wedding Show, it was really really great. We had lots of interest at our stand, took lots of names of potential brides who may be interested in having their reception in our restaurant and at the same time had heaps of fun and saw some amazing wedding decorating ideas, so a good day really. We have another one in 4 weeks and I couldn't sleep last night planning the set up and decorations. I didn't have much time to organise for this one but next time it's going to be a stunner....well that's the plan.
Very exciting this morning, finally checking my emails, the first time since Thursday, and found that our next Scrap Sunday is this week and wahoo...... I'm off so Carol, Naomi and the crew make room for me cos I'll be there!
Apart from that Gussie's feeling a lot better, despite the fact that I stopped those tablets, I didn't like the fact that he seemed so "out-of-it", and he kept running away from us which is not like him at all. So touch wood he will keep improving without them.
The other exciting news is that my Magnolia stamps have shipped from the states so watching the post intently, and today made a card with one of my new stamps in mind, so it will be ready when she arrives.... yeah I know thoughts of kid+Christmas come to mind LOL, but you need something in life to be passionate about, it keeps ya sane.
But right now Gus wants his dinner so better run.
Ltr.

Anyone for shopping???

Just love this little Magnolia image, she makes me want to hit the mall LOL! Been sitting at my desk since 8am this morning, just lost in creativity, gotta love that.

Now it's time for lunch and Gussie's vet appointment, oh boy there go my ears! For a cat that doesn't meow he sure turns up the volume when we get in the car.
Wish me luck.

On a Roll...

Ah yes, she's baaack! Been on a roll, finished this one and started another one. So good to be back.

Of course this is a Magnolia Stamp, coloured with Distress Inks, Iv'e used Tattered Rose, Faded Denim and Weathered Wood. I coloured the hair with Marker Pens, following the tutorial in the latest Magnolia Magazine, which now by the way I have subscribed to, and guess what, the day after the March one arrived, the local bookshop where I had had it ordered rang to say they had the first one for 2011 in stock! So I'll end up with the whole year after all.
But back to that "hair tutorial", it was amazing doing it their way what a gorgeous result you end up with, very excited....can ya tell???
Anyway off to finish the next one. I'm toying with the idea of taking them to work and selling them, and the money can go to the Christchurch appeal, just need to figure the how and where questions.

 

So this will be my last Christmas card before Christmas. I still have one more very special one to make but was waiting to get the new Magnolia magazine which I got this morning, so my best friend will get her card....late! But hey she's used to me. This one is for my other best friend who spent time in Paris some years ago so anything French is definitely her thing.
I hope everyone has a very Happy, Safe and Peaceful Christmas and look forward to sharing ideas etc next year.

Merry Christmas.

Sad Card

 

I love the card, but the ocasion is sad, one of the girls in the restaurant is leaving to continue her working holiday. She is from Germany and such a lovely girl, not to mention a fantastic member of staff, I'll miss her heaps.
I hope she likes her card.

Of course the stamp is Magnolia and I've coloured her with Ranger Distress Inks, the punch is Martha Stewart and I think I need to add some bling, so that will be Sticles. I've used a bit of Glimmer Mist on the doiley shape as well.

Another Tilda

 


I am so excited about these stamps I just can't stop making cards. And of course finding a copy of the "Tilda Magazine" on Saturday has done nothing to curb my addiction.
I have some more of these little stamps on the way...can't wait.
This one I had a ball making. Those little Paper Doiley hearts I got at Scrapbook Paradise..... very cute eh?
Well off to play...my day off!

Been awhile...

since I posted here but I've been busy. Had a week away in Moraki staying here, a gorgeous little cottage right across from the harbour and of course Fleur's wonderful restaurant, which of course we had to visit. We went for lots of walks, sat in the sun and had a couple of day trips to nearby Oamaru and then went to Christchurch for just one night.... it was all heavenly, however I don't feel like I've stopped since I came back. Work's been chaotic and looking like to's going to get worse if the next few weeks bookings are anything to go by..... oh well it'll soon be Christmas.
Anyway by way of stress relief I've been making cards with my gorgeous Magnolia stamps and am totally hooked. (Got some more coming by way of an early Christmas pressie methinks).
I have really been going nuts with these cards, I was struggling to come up with ideas for scrapbook pages but the inspiration for these cards seems endless at the moment. The one on this post I used the Cuttlebug embossing "Christmas Tree" folder and then cut around the embossed edge, just love the result.
As I say I seem to be on a roll and have started thinking I need to actually do something with them, it has been suggested that I should sell them and I'm thinking I might and donate the profits to a charity. Any ideas how to go about this would be appreciated.
Anyway off to have a play before work.
Thanks for stopping by.


On a serious note my heart goes out to the people of Greymouth who have that dreadful disaster going on in the mine, can only hope that prayers work and they are rescued soon.

And just before I go...

another Tilda card I finished this morning. I've used paper from a pad I got at Warehouse some weeks ago which has perfect papers for these stamps, also a paper Doiley which I cut with a Heart Nestabilitie, Distress Inks, Pearls, Punches and some tiny little flowers.
I have to say I'm addicted to playing with these stamps they are so gorgeous, and the blogs I've found that feature them, so inspiring.
Anyway it's off to work now :( no more play today.

Another Look

 

Just a wee close-up, very happy with this... can ya tell?

Same Card

 

Better light, tok the photo on the dining room table and the light's not the best unfortunately.

Tilda Love

 

Been playing again, this wee Tilda stamp just seemed to want to hold something so I couldn't resist giving her this sign. Think I like it now it's down. These cards are addictive every time you make one you think of something else you want to try.Didn't get to far tonight sadly, sat on the couch to watch the final of New Zealand's Next Top Model and fell asleep.
Anyway did manage to finish this one. Like it better in real life than in the photo, but I must admit I do love playing with all the pretty stuff for a change. Have gone back to using punches I've had since I very first got into scrapping, all the cute stuff sure goes with Tilda that's for sure.