Willow with Flower Basket

Hi, Madge here.  Today I’ve chosen to use a Whiff Of Joy stamp called Willow with Flower Basket.  I love the simplicity, yet beauty of these stamps – and Lora, at ONE CRAZY STAMPER, has such a wonderful selection and fantastic prices to go with them.
My friend Wendy, (thank you Wendy!) sent me this double-sided card Creatable – I chose to use copics to match the paper. I’m sorry, I did this card a week ago and have misplaced the list. 
I used the following:  Xpress-It Blending cardstock, Memento, Tuxedo Black ink, Copic Sketch Markers, Pearls , SU Lacey Border Punch, and miscellaneous cardstock and ribbon from stash.
This is the last week to take part in the April “Flower” Challenge for the chance to win a very nice gift certificate to One Crazy Stamper.  Someone will win, and it may as well be YOU.  Can’t wait to see what you create!!
~ Rubber hugs, Inky Wishes ~

Magnolia-licious Easter-Spring Extravaganza Contest entry

Side view of card to show dimension. 

This is a very long post – so if you’re going to read it to the end – go potty, grab a cuppa and be prepared to sit for awhile!

Front of Card - I used the lattice punch to build the trellis.  Happy Tilda  has socks -- which I converted to shoes.

My entry was ready two weeks ago…then reconstruction took place….one week ago…more reconstruction….and finally today. I have de-constructed s-o-o-o-o much,  I decided, enough is enough. 

I’ve been told that this is a Concertina card??  I have no idea.The above picture is really squished up to fit in. It is a double interlocking layer. It looks huge – when in all actuality it is only 5 1/4” wide  x 5 3/4” high  (outside perimeter of lattice) and 5/8” deep.  It ties neatly with a ribbon and can fit into a bubble envelope for mailing.

I stamped Tulip Walkway, bleached out the background and stamped over top. Tilda Picking flowers was cut out and popped on with 3-D dots.  Flower Soft was used for her bouquet.

Tilda with Curls has a Flower Soft Bouquet, and Leaning Tilda (image swap) were used.  On the inside front I wrote:
“Welcome to Angel Park,
where Magnolia children play.
They hike, they swing, ride bikes, pick flowers,
or simply enjoy the beautiful day.
Friendly critters scamper,
darting here and there.
Everyone is happy,
Spring is everywhere! “

I made this type of a card 4 – 5 years ago – spurred on by a creative friend who showed me one that she made.  It was absolutely gorgeous, so I had to try it.  Totally different card back then (vintage collage), but I’ve been dying to have a go at it once again and the Magnolia-licious contest gave me the reason.

 

At the back of the card (inside) I wrote another sentiment:
“Hoping you liked your visit,
to Angel Park today.
Isn’t it a wonderful place,
to enjoy the beauty of a Spring day.
Magnolia Angels speak from the heart,
never having to make a sound.
This card was made especially for you,
to feel the happiness around.”

The swing is made using jute with Cherry Tilda popped up on 3-D dots. Tilda with Bike has a Bouquet of Flower Soft.

Jungle Tilda is colored in "Spring" Camouflage.

Tilda with Hawaii Flower  / Tilda Carrying Lamb, Tilda with Straw Hat and Tilda with Flowing Hair:  White Flower Soft was sprinkled onto the lamb and colored Flower Soft onto the bouquet and basket of flowers.

  It was so much fun creating this ……ideas kept mushrooming…...  some frustration and a lot of indecision, but mostly fun, now that it’s finally the way I want it, I am pleased with it and ecstatic that I can get on with another card!!
The gigantic problem?? Which Magnolia stamps to choose……..believe me, that is one tough decision!!!!!  They are all so sweet and cute. If you had 100 children – which 14 would you choose??  lol 

Tilda with Butterfly Jeans is sitting on a fence with a cloud background (image swap).  Tilda and her bunny is so sweet, the tail on the bunny has Winter White Flower Soft sprinkled on it.

The initial card construction was easy-peasy, creating the scenic ambiance was fun and “interesting”.  The stamped background is Orchid Park (Alota Rubber), which I stamped, masked and stamp-ma-jigged to create a continuous scene.  That was lightly colored  with copics as I didn’t want it to distract from the main focus of the Magnolias.  All  Magnolia images were colored with copics…..  (what fun!!  like a kid in a candy store).
The lattice was cut from a EK Success punch and the hundreds of tiny flowers for the front were from an edger punch. I cupped them with my stylus, and dotted the centers with yellow. The leaves are from an older vine punch.  The magnolia blossoms that you see are all from the Open Gate.  I colored them, cut them from the fence, added glossy accents and then fussy cut them.  They cover a multitude of glue faux paux.

I hope you enjoyed looking at my creation and would love to hear what you think.  If there is enough interest I will do a pdf file for a tutorial at a later date.

Also, Thank you to the gracious and very generous  Diana from Magnolia-licious for sponsoring this contest.  It blows me away looking at all the talent this group has…….. I have my four choices for voting all ready  (until the deadline, then I may change my mind) 
Please support all the wonderful talent of this group, by casting your vote – and I don’t mean for me, (not that it wouldn’t be appreciated) but for the cards and projects that you absolutely L-O-V-E. 
~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

Tilda is “Just sitting here waiting”.

Two posts in one day!!  Really unusual for me.  I can’t keep away from those sweet little Magnolia’s from Diana's store, Magnolia-licious.
A friend has a Birthday coming up, and I thought I’d make her a card with a daffodil – Here is “Tilda holding a Daffodil. 
I have been squandering a piece of Basic Gray paper from the “Porcelain collection” and decided to use it for a Pink and Green Challenge, the sketch is from Mojo Monday, Sketch 186.    












Here is a close-up of Tilda. As you can see, she is wearing pearls (added with white pearl pen), and the daffodil has glossy accents added.  The “bench” she is sitting on is an MS punch, punched back-to-back.  These little people are getting cuter and cuter……….and I love practicing with my copics……. practice makes perfect, right?
I’m entering this card in the following challenges:

Magnolia-licious colour challenge # 6 - pink and green

Mojo Monday - Sketch 186

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

.

Windows to the World

Hi all,  Madge here.  I’m late posting today because I had a sticky situation with glue.  First it wouldn’t dry – and then I knocked my finished card smack dab in the middle of it – face down!  Do you ever feel like it is just not your day??  It wasn’t my night.  I finally packed it in and started all over again this morning.

This stamp is from a Flourishes stamp set called “Windows to the World”.  April is “flower” month at One Crazy Stamper – so I thought “flower soft” would fit in quite nicely.

I chose to do a gate-fold card to keep the image in the focal point.

 

The beauty of polymer stamps is the storage, seeing where your image is going to be stamped……….and flexibility!!!  The “Wish you were here!” is in a straight line.  I thought curving it to match the arch of the window would fit into the design better…….  and yes, it did. 

List of supplies used:

Copics, Designer Paper, Xpress-It cardstock (especially for copics) Spellbinders Large Labels die, Flower Soft, Memento Ink, misc cardstock and distress inks.  All available at One Crazy Stamper with prices that cannot be beat. 

I hope you’ve entered the April OCS challenge for a chance to win $$$.  Can’t wait to see what you enter.

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

One Crazy Stamper April Challenge

HAPPY, HAPPY HAPPY APRIL FOOLS DAY!!  No pranks or jokes today – – Lora at One Crazy Stamper doesn’t have any either  -- but she does have the best prices in town!!.  You will be amazed at all the stuff she has on sale (everything!!!!!)!!

Don’t you just love poppies and daisies together…they are signs of spring. A friend has a backyard full of these blossoms and it is a  beautiful field of Red and White in the spring.

Today I’m showcasing a card made with Sheena Douglass’s beautiful “Poppies and Daisies” stamp set.  The images were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento Ink onto X-press it Cardstock and coloured with Copics.  Lora recommended I try X-press-it Blend Cardstock made for copics  and I am so glad I took her advice!!  Copic colours “pop”, blending so easily.  I think the reason they blend so well is because the Copics stay wetter longer. 

Liking to add variety of card formats, I decided to make a Stair Step Card. I stamped the poppy image onto X-press it C/S, masked it, then off -stamped the sentiment to make it appear in the background. Spiced Marmalade Distress Ink was used to sponge the outside perimeter.   The daisies were cut out and popped onto the side steps. The rest is self explanatory.

Hope you will join us at One Crazy Stamper with your submission of “flowers” for the whole month of April.  There will be a $25. prize awarded to some lucky person.  Someone has to win – it may as well be YOU.  Looking forward to visiting your submissions!

Keep stamping!   ~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~   

2012 Calendar Tutorial

Hi all,  Madge here with a Christmas Project Tutorial to get you started on gifts for special people.  A homemade gift is straight from the heart and shows that you have taken the time to make something special.  I have been making these calendars for about 3 years. Last year I made 30 to give as a “Christmas Card” to my stamping buddies.

You can adapt this to any size you would like, but for this sample / calendar, I have made it A4 size  4 1/4” x 5 1/2”.

Materials:   Sturdy cardstock:  5 1/2” x 8 1/2” (or 6” x 12” or 5” x 10”).  Length is double desired height.                 

         2012 file  (Print onto white cardstock, and cut apart).

          Unfortunately, my calendar pdf could not be uploaded - if you print the above at 6 columns and “gray font”. You will get a good replica.

         4 designer papers:  4” x 5 1/4”   (Good way to use up those Designer Paper pieces & scraps).

I used 4 wonderful 6” x 6” pages from Webster’s Pages. purchased at OCS  Lora has a wonderful selection of 6” x 6” pads.

 4 Mats:  To coordinate with papers chosen. (scraps! scraps! scraps!)

Assorted embellishments:  stamps, inks, punchies, Designer Papers.  Scraps! Scraps! Scraps! 

14“ Soft ribbon  (ie: satin, organza)

1/4” hole punch or anywhere punch

Strong adhesive to guarantee your calendar can                  withstand a year of being displayed.

Lets get started:

 Step One:   Score cardstock in half along longest edge  (8 1/2”)  This will give you 4 “pages”.

Step Two:  Cut out each month, and mat in groups of 3.

Jan. Feb. March  / April May June / July Aug. Sept. / Oct. Nov. Dec.

 Step Three:   (Tip) I make a 1/4” frame to visualize the placement I want for my “page” layout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step Three:   Cut Designer paper 1/4” smaller than your “page”   ie:  4” x 5 1/4”.  Adhere to “page”.

 

 Step Four:   Add matted months and any embellishments.

(Let your creativity run wild). 

 

 Step Five:  Punch 2 holes about 1/2” apart on the centre bottom of your pages.

 

 Step Six:  With Jan. Feb. Mar. facing you - thread your ribbon into the two holes, leave 1 1/4” on the pieces in the middle, and tie a bow.

Your calendar will be freestanding and ready to give to that special friend on your list.

P.S.  Don’t forget to sign or initial each page.   Enjoy!

If you have any questions, email me at madgeh@shaw.ca, I’d be happy to help you.

Be sure to check in at the  OCS challenge for April  and a chance to win $$$.  See you there!

 

Bernadette Admiring Spring Flowers

Hi all,  Madge here once again.  Today, I’m going to show you what I’ve created using one of the many gorgeous images from Stampavie, Sarah Kay’s wonderful “Bernadette Admiring Spring Flowers, available at One Crazy Stamper.
If you follow along with OCS’s challenges, you’ll know that this month our DT Leader Jacilynn supplied us with an awesome sketch.  Well,  to keep up with the challenge, my card has followed her sketch (well, sorta / kinda).  


I turned it into a platform for a Round Easel Card.  (The blue background is the mat to my little Scor-Buddy, which I just L-O-V-E.)
Inside, “may your day bloom with happiness”, is stamped.





I really loved the way this card came together and even used a piece of patterned paper that has been kicking around forever – hundreds of pieces of cardstock and dp’s and this is the piece that saved the day!
Supplies used:  Copics, (too many to mention), Spellbinders Scalloped Circle dies, MS border punch, Prima flowers, MS Fern punch, Bazill cardstock, and Organza Ribbon and butterfly charm from stash.
Next week, I will be doing a tutorial for a Christmas Gift that you may like to see, along with a pdf to help you along.  So, see you next week, same time, same station.
~ rubber hugs, inky wishes ~ 

 

Can Spring be far away?

Here Tilda sits in a ray of sunshine, thinking that Spring is only a couple of days away.  Yesterday was blustery and cold, today, sunny and warm, what is it going to be?

I love this image of Tilda with Big Bow.  I used copics to color her with thoughts of spring.  Pink and Green came to mind.

I used the Beaded Oval Spellbinders and cut the center out with a basic oval die, mounted it over a larger white oval and made a little ledge for Tilda to sit on. The Doohicky Swirl is coated with Stickles, as are the flowers

I’m always reluctant to send flowers in the mail, but I have learned that if I coat them with Glossy Accents, it hardens the fibers and they don’t arrive looking like they have been beaten with a club.  This card is for a very dear friend, who has been going through a tough time lately.  The inside says -- “To Cheer You”.

I’m entering this card into the

Magnolia-licious home card challenge

Little Claire’s  pink & green

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Hi all,  Madge here again.  Today I’m using the cute little image from Whiff of Joy by Elizabeth Bell which can be found at One Crazy Stamper.  These gorgeous images are whimsical, yet detail perfect.

I used copics to color the image, too many to list.  I apologize for the picture as my computer had a much needed “surgery” and I’ve lost my photo editing software (temporarily).  Also lost all my email contacts / and emails…….  (ugh, grrrr, rant, rave). Hopefully it will be restored soon.

Supplies used:  WOJ Umbrella Girl, Copics,  Glossy Accents, Oval Nestabilities,  Wild Orchid flowers, MS fern punch and misc. cardstock. 

Hope you’ve submitted a card for the OCS challenge for a chance to win $$$.  Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

~ rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

Teddy Bear Picnic

Hi  all,  Madge here.  I’ve chosen to share a card with you today using the  adorable set by Penny Black called “Teddy & Company  from http://onecrazystamper.com/ .

It may be still cold and bleak looking outside, but we may as well dream “spring”.

A little over a year ago I was asking myself if copic markers were worth their “over-inflated” pricing.  After a year of playing with them, the answer is “YES”.  I love the way they blend, I love the way the smallest most minute touch lends itself to colour.  YES, my friends they are worth every penny!  Check out Lora’s prices at the OCS Shop ….they are so inexpensive! 

OCS also has a contest for March involving a sketch – submit your interpretation of the sketch and you will have a chance to win $$$ at Lora’s shop.  Can’t wait to see your submission!

Supplies used:  Teddy & Co., Copics, MS punch, Dew Drops, SU cardstock and paper from unknown source.

Keep stamping, and keep smiling – Spring will be here soon!

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~

Tilda’s in a jam

I am a hopeless Magnolia lover!!  Can’t get enough of them, can’t colour enough of them……………..  it’s an addiction. 
Enter the “loverly”  Jam Tilda.  She is just so sweet.  I don’t have this Tilda, but received the image through an image swap.  I may just have to buy her also.
I was lucky enough to acquire a Marianne Creatable die cut for the doily.  Just love those dies also……..  Have a butterfly that is just waiting for a place on a card.

Ok, wasn't quite happy with the plain jane variation that I first came up with -- added the rather large flower...still not happy.......... will try something else.

I’m entering this card in the following challenges: 
                   Mojo Monday Sketch 179
                   Magnolia-licious Highlights – Spring theme
                   Stamping Scrapping Challenge Central  - product
Here is the inside of the card - ready for a stamped Sentiment.

Hope you have a wonderful day – keep stamping and keep smiling!

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~
Madge

Let’s skip winter and move on to Summer

OK, I’m ready for summer………..let’s get this snow melted and the temperature heated up!!  While I was away, I think that sneaky little groundhog did a number on me and saw his shadow.  Brrrrr.  Two weeks ago, I had a sunburn……  should have stayed put and refused to come home!!

I’m sure there are places with worst temperatures that our balmy –4 celsius.  (But my mind is still on the Cruise Ship, sitting in the warmth of the sun, sipping iced Chai Tea Latte’s.)  OK, enough complainin’!!

Today, I’ve chosen to showcase a beautiful Sarah Kay image available at One Crazy Stamper.  Lora has so many beautiful images, it is hard to decide on just one to work on.  This week’s card is a very simple one – as I’ve been suffering with an ugly cough / cold and haven’t felt very creative amongst the kleenex piles. 

A friend (thank you Wendy!!) came to my rescue by sending me this “paper”……….and the colour was absolutely perfect for a quick card not to distract from the gorgeous image (coloured with my favorite, copics) of “Roses Garden” from Stampavie.  Head right over there to look at all the stamps Lora has on sale.  ------ Wait!!, before you go, please view my card………. It has been a couple of weeks since I’ve done this, so…………. *   ta   da  * .  YEA! it worked.

And here is a close up of Rose………………………………………….and of the card opened. 

I’ve left the inside blank, so I can add one that will be appropriate when I need a card.

 

Ok, I’m finished.

You can head on over to One Crazy Stamper and shop til you drop, and then some, with Lora’s awesome prices.  See you next week.

~ Rubber hugs, inky wishes ~