It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

...sort of! At least in the world of card making! LOL

Hello Dear Readers,

How are you today? Are you gearing up for the little munchkins who will be trick-or-treating this week? They are always so cute! The bad thing is that I've already ripped into a bag of mini Mounds Bars! I love coconut and dark chocolate together. Yum! Today, I would like to share with you the card I made as inspiration for the new challenge at Hooked on Craft!

The challenge for this month is to create a Christmas card using nontraditional colors. That means NO red or green! You have from October 29 until November 28 to add your card to the challenge collection! I fell in love with the idea right off the bat! I chose a gorgeous deep blue and white. The blue is a foiled cardstock with a mirror-like finish. Here it is:

I depended on my embossing to set the theme for the card. Then, I chose the colors I wanted to use. I just love how it turned out! The Hooked on Craft Design Team has provided wonderful examples to get your mojo going. Please visit their blogs to see the details on their wonderful creations.

I have used the following products available at Hooked on Craft . Just follow the links to learn more about the products I've used!

Blue Calla Lilies

White Calla Lilies

White Leaves

White Rose

White Water Lilies

White Rosebuds

This challenge will run from October 29 until the 28 of November. Remember, your creation should NOT use red or green! Karen has generously provided a $10 voucher to the Hooked on Craft Store! I could use one of those, how about you? LOL

I hope you will join in this great challenge and even get one of your cards done early!

Thanks for stopping by. Your comments are so appreciated!

XO,

Chris

Magnolia Tilda Halloween Easel Card

Hello Sweet Readers,

Thank you for stopping by! It's been such a long week for me as my sweet husband has been gone for the past eight days and has just gotten home! It was just me and my two little fur babies. They are such good listeners!

Well, today I want to share with you the card I created for the Magnolia-licious Photo Inspiration Challenge. Here is the image that got my creative juices flowing:

Isn't this just a gorgeous photo? I love the colors and I just love, love, love the scene! I knew, right away, what paper I would use! Here is my card:

I have had this stamp since it first came out. This is the first time I have inked her up! She is one of my favorites! I knew I wanted her for Halloween! Here is the rest of the card - guess what - I made it another easel! That's #3 for me! Woo Hoo!

I didn't want to cover up my paper (since it was the connection to the photo) so I kept the bottom minimal (for me, LOL). Here are some details:

There is a removable tag on the top right. You use the bow with the charm as the pull. I used lots of layering. The size of the card is about 6 1/2 x 6 1/2. The clock face has been covered with black Kindyglitz. I also used the Kindyglitz on the candy tops in the bag. There are so many die cuts used. On the bottom, I added a bow and just three small flowers. There is a Halloween ticket tuckd under the bow. The sentiment tags (top and bottom) are from my stash. Tilda has been hand painted.

The following products may be found at Magnolia-licious:

Wild Tilda

Halloween Candy Bag - Autumn and Halloween Collection (This is not in stock, but if you check with Diana, she may be able to order it for you.)

Heart Swirl Doohickey Die

Leaf and Swirl Doohickey Die

Diana is the most wonderful shop keeper I have known. She really wants to make her customers so happy. One lucky gal who participants in this challenge will win a special surprise from Magnolia-licious.

Magnolia-licious is the "GO TO SOURCE" for the best prices on a great collection of Magnolia stamps. The store also features wonderful dies from Memory Box, Magnolia Doohickey, etc. Also carried are Magnolia papers and Magnolia Ink Magazine in single issues! I hope the Inspiration Photo and my card photos have inspired you to join in the challenge. If they haven't then I encourage you to visit the other members of the Design Team and have a "look see" at their gorgeous creations. It's so fun to see how each of us have a different take on the same photo! You have until Nov. 12 to complete your entry. Good luck!

XO,
Chris

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Magnolia Tilda with Lovely Jam Card

Hello dear readers,

It is a very cool day here in southern Utah. We had wonderful thunderstorms last night and this morning accompanied with buckets and buckets of rain! It was wonderful! I savor the rain when it comes. We always need the water!

I've been frustrated this week because my eyes are just being sticklers. I get so frustrated when I don't have the ability to make a card. I sat today wearing two pairs of glasses and a headlamp strapped to my head! LOL NOT a pretty sight! I looked like a miner without a mine! (or mind in my case) LOL I just have learned to go with the flow!

If anyone could tell me how I might change the colors of certain words in my messages, please let me know. I have used the same font code for each word that I wanted emphasized. Yet, one is red and the rest are gray. The same code and way of writing it in html was used each time. I don't get why it changed one to red (which is what ALL of them were supposed to be) and left the others in gray. HELP!

I have a card to share with you today. I don't know how the photos will look on your screen as I just couldn't tell their actual quality. Hopefully, you will get the gist. I chose to use Tilda with Lovely Jam. It is available at Magnolia-licious. Here is the LINK. I also used the Magnolia Kitchen stamp for the background. Diana doesn't currently have it in stock in the standard size, but she does have it in the mini size.You may want to check with Diana to see if she's going to get it back in stock.

The flowers on the outside are from Hooked on Craft. I love their flowers! The flowers on the inside are from my stash. I chose to use gorgeous papers on the front panel from my paper supply. I loved combining the purple, olive, and cream together. On the inside, I chose to use papers from Magnolia-licious. I'm sorry, I don't know from which collection they have been taken.

Here are the photos:

I sure wish I had more of that paper! It is just so pretty with the grape clusters and the yellow floral accents touched with the olive. I was so glad I didn't wreck either of the two sheets I had as I didn't have a third sheet as a backup. Ever ruin a sheet? Sometimes, my cutting gets a little wonky! LOL I always make sure I have at least three sheets just in case...

The jam jar has been covered with a clear product so that it looks like glass. I'm unsure what it was, maybe Crystal Accents. I could be wrong, though! LOL

Thank you so much for stopping by! I would love if you left a comment for me. Remember, on the previous post, if you leave a comment, your name will go into the draw for an unused Magnolia tag die (the one with the stars). What can you lose? LOL

Have a wonderful weekend!

Love,

Chris

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Magnolia-licious Color Inspiration Challenge for October

Hello Sweet Readers,

Did you have a three day weekend? Did you take advantage of this gorgeous Fall weather? I want to say, "Happy Thanksgiving" to my Canadian friends! I just played a bit this weekend and watched our semi-annual church General Conference on TV. It is so uplifting!

This month, our challenge at the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog is being hosted by Cathy. Just below is Cathy's color inspiration photo for you using the colors red, yellow, and brown. You have from October 9 through October 22 to create something warm and wonderful - reflective of Fall. Make sure you have used a Magnolia image, please!

Of course, there is a prize for one lucky player. Diana is the most amazing person when it comes to wonderful prizes. You will win...... are you ready? ............

This will surely be a treasure of a prize, so please consider jumping in and creating a Fall themed Magnolia card using the colors of red, yellow, and brown . I love the colors of Fall, so the photo was perfect for me! How about you?

Here is my card using that lovely Autumn tree as the inspiration. I chose to make an easel card (my second ever) which took me longer than a three paged square card! LOL

Here are closeups of the top and bottom panels:

My stamped images have been hand painted. The chrysanthemums are from WOC. I've used a pop dot to elevate the bristles on the broom head. The owl has also been elevated using pop dots as has the banner. I added some Flower Soft at the base of the trees so it would look like grass.

I used several Magnolia stamps. I have also included the link so you can see the stamps that Diana currently has in the Magnolia-licious store front. If you are interested in some of those that are not currently in the store, you may want to touch base with Diana to see if they might be ordered.

Autumn Tilda with Broom - Turning Leaves Collection 2012

Tree Row Forest

Mushrooms in a Row - Autumn 2008 Collection

Owl - So Spooky Collection 2009
Stitched Fall Leaves Set - Autumn 2008 Collection
Pumpkin and Leaves - So Spooky Collection 2009
Sea Banner - Bon Voyage Collection 2010
Wooden Fence - Fall, Christmas, and Father's Day 2006 Small Pumpkin - Christmas, Winter, and Halloween 2006

Thank you for stopping by! I hope you will leave a comment for me. I treasure your thoughts. Please stop by again and take a moment to visit Magnolia-licious! I hope you will enter this fun challenge. You have until the 22 of October!

Love to you,

Chris I would like to enter my card into the following challenges:

Fashionable Stamp Challenge - Shades of Fall

Wild Orchid Crafts - Anything Goes

Magnolia Stamp Lovers - dies

Good day sweet readers,

The leaves at the higher elevations are ablaze with color. My little hummingbirds have migrated south, and flocks of geese are flying and squawking as they head south for their winter homes. Fall is here. I marvel that those tiny hummingbirds have the knowledge and strength to fly so many miles and return to the same spot each summer. Geesh, there are times when I can't remember something when I walk from one end of the house to the other! LOL

Well, it's also Halloween time! I love Halloween! It's also Halloween at the Hooked on Craft Challenge Blog!. This month, we would love to see you create a Halloween card or layout. It can be cute or scary! Just have fun! This challenge will run from October 1, 2012 until October 27, 2012. Karen has provided the following items as a prize for one lucky gal. I wish I could enter because I love, love, love the calla lilies! LOL

The Hooked on Craft Design Team has provided wonderful examples to get your mojo going. Please visit their blogs to see the details on their wonderful creations. Here is my example. I chose to make a witch's hat-shaped card.

Here is a close up of the cluster. Look at all those scrumptious goodies!

I just had so much fun creating my version of this shaped card. I had seen several like it and thought it was just such a cute idea that I had to give it a try. Do you like it? Here is the image for the interior:

There are so many little details included in this project. Sorry about the shadow at the bottom of the photo. I'm short, so I couldn't get past casting a shadow. I have used the following products available at Hooked on Craft. Just follow the links to learn more about the products I've used!

Orange Mesh Ribbon
Butterfly Trinket Pin
Teardrop Trinket Pin
Purple Water Lily
Orange Tiger Lily
Gardenia
Skeleton Leaves
Orange Calla Lily
Purple Calla Lily

The inside of the card has a little Magnolia Tilda Witch standing on the hat's brim ribbon. I also used another one of Hooked on Craft's beautiful gardenias! There is an empty spot for writing a personal message. The top panel has the sentiment and a little fake candy bar. It was nice that I got to use my rarely used paisley Nestie dies!

Thank you so much for visiting. I am so happy that you chose to take the time to stop by. I hope you will return soon!

Love to you,

Chris

Magnolia-licious Inspiration Challenge - Use Buttons!

Hello sweet readers,

How are you this fine Tuesday? It's officially Fall! Woo-hoo! This is the start of my favorite time of the year which lasts until late March! The downside is that the natural lighting in my craft room is now really poor since the angle of the sun is so different now. That means relying on electricity. I know my photos will look dull and flat now. Ugh!

Before we get to the Button Challenge details, the winner of the last random draw (chosen from those who left comments) is...

#14 - MYRNA

Myrna, if you will e-mail your address to me, I'll get something out to you shortly! My e-mail is to the right.

DISCLAIMER: My husband while watching a football game in the family room was asked to pick a number. If you didn't win, blame him! LOL

Our new challenge at The Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog is to find inspiration by using buttons in your design! How fun is that? You will have two weeks to complete the challenge. One lucky gal will win... **drumroll please,**

>

How fun would that be to win? I love, love, love surprises! Diana is so very generous. I hope you will take the time to do a little creating! Make sure your card has a Magnolia image as well as buttons. That's all there is! Here is the inspiration photo to get those creative juices flowing:

Here is my card design based on the button inspiration:

For my card, I chose to modify my Tilda with Heart Balloons stamp. Then, I replaced the balloons with buttons. I layered the "ground," and added some punched Autumn leaves as well as a die cut fence, tree, and little flowers. The following products may be found in Diana's amazingly supplied store:

Tilda with Heart Balloons - Sweet Crazy Love Collection

Spruce Doo-hickey die - Sweet Christmas Dreams 2011 Collection

Magnolia Cloudy Sky paper from the Bon Voyage 2010 Collection

Fence

Let's look at the interior panels. I had a lot of fun with the top one. I remembered I had a bag of chipboard buttons. My sweet husband found the Rubbermaid bucket that holds my chipboard and after emptying the entire bucket, I found the package of buttons at the very bottom! LOL Figures, huh? I took the button paper that I used for the card and glued it to the chipboard to cover the top surface. Then, I covered it with Crystal Accents (I think that is what it is called), and allowed it to dry for 36 hours just to be safe. Add a doily, a tag, ribbon, buttons, and flowers, and the top was done! Here is the photo:

You can find the Doohickey Scalloped Tag here.

Here is a photo of the bottom panel:

As usual, I kept this panel simple so that the person sending it can add a personal message.

I hope you will take the time to visit the other Design Team Members' blogs and see their gorgeous creations! We love to shop at Magnolia-licious and take full advantage of poor Diana by making sure we get our 2% credit dollars, Diana's wonderful prices, preorder opportunities, and free shipping on orders over $75! I love those credit dollars. I've been so surprised when I wanted to get something and there was the money right there for me to use without actually spending it from my wallet! Diana had saved it for me!

Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you will leave a comment for me. I can't wait to see what you create!

XO,

Chris

Magnolia-licious Color Inspiration Challenge for September

Hello Dearest Readers,

I am so very excited to have been asked to join the Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog Design Team! This is my first submission, and I hope you like what I have done!

Before I share my newest card, I'd like to congratulate the winner of my last blog entry candy draw. My sweet husband picked a number at random, and he picked.....

Number 4 - Candy!!!

Candy, please e-mail your mailing address to me so I can send you a little somethin' somethin'.

I'll be doing this again using the comments from this blog post. Just leave a comment for me and you'll be entered into a random number draw to be announced when I post my next card! How's that?

Here is the photo that I used to draw my color inspiration for my card:

When I looked at the colors in the photo, I saw burgundy, pink, green, cream, and brown. From that, I chose to emphasize the burgundy, cream, pink, green because we're heading into the Fall season. Here is my creation:

I chose to use Goosebump Tilda which I masked so I could use the Open Gate image from the 2010 Hoppy Easter/Spring Collection. I have colored my images using Distress Inks.

In addition to the stamps, I also used some delightful Magnolia dies (as well as other dies) to add those extra special touches to the card. The first die is called Tilda's Doily Doohickey Cutting Die. Also used, but tucked behind the mat, is the So Wrapped Lovely Heart Folded Tag Doohickey Cutting Die. Inside the card, I used Leaf and Swirl Doohickey Die #4

Here are the images for the interior of my card:

I saw something romantic in the photo of the chair and corner grouping. I wanted to add a little romantic look to my card as well.

I hope you will join in the Magnolia-licious Challenge! There is always a wonderful prize for one lucky participant!

Have you seen the new Magnolia Ink magazine? What a source of inspiration! There is something in that treasure trove for everyone including step-by-step tutorials, new products, contests, and oodles of perfectly beautiful and adaptable cards! One thing you may wish to consider is ordering a yearly subscription from Diana so you can lock in current prices. Remember, the value of the US dollar varies from day to day and country to country. If you click the link below, you'll find the subscription signup in the column on the left!

If you haven't been to Magnolia-licious, you don't know what you are missing! Click the link above and browse through the wonderful products Diana carries for us to use. Diana's prices are wonderful, you earn credit dollars with your purchases, and her preorder stamp collections have the best prices ever! You won't be sorry! You'll be addicted! Diana's customer service is the best I have ever experienced!

I hope to see your wonderful creation entered in this month's Color Challenge!

XO,
Chris

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges: