Creative Inspirations gets feminine!!!

Hello happy blogging buddies!!
It's time for a new challenge over at
Creative Inspirations,
a nice and easy one,
we'd like to see your feminine side!!!
Make something pretty, elegant, dainty, gorgeous,
and enter it in our challenge!!

This week we were provided with images to create with from our sponsor, Lauretta of Lauretta's Digital Stamps, thank you so much, the images are fun to bring to life!!


I've used one of Lauretta's digi images, this one is called Charleston Lady, coloured with Prismacolors and a little bit of baby oil over the black areas, thank you for the inspiration Lori!!! I've added distress stickles to Lady Charleston's boa and Liquid Pearls to her necklace, had to get my Ranger fix one way or another, lol. The polka dot DP is from Basic Grey's Junebug collection and the other DP's are My Minds Eye 29th Street Market yumminess!! The fibres, lace and golden ribbon are from my stash, so are the pearls, the gorgeous gardenias are from Tracey, still lovin' them.... A LOT!!!! And the punches I've used are Martha Stewart (twigs) and Fiskars (lace border), there is some gold Stickles in the mix as well.


I've also played along with the photo inspiration at
Secret Crafter Saturday, as well as the yummy sketch from Sketch Saturday, instead of corners, I placed a tilted peice of DP that adds interest to the corners, hope that is still okay.

I hope you will have a chance to hop over to Creative Inspirations, to see the brilliant works from the Design Team and that you have a chance to join us this week!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

New pic, unblogged cards, Valentines Day Postal Cancellation Information

Hi everyone,
nothing "NEW" to share with you today,
just a bunch of random things and thoughts
smooshed into one post rather than spread out
throughout my usual waffling.

Firstly, I was tinkering with my profile
and replaced the photo of my cat Batman
with a picture of myself...
Well, I am not very keen to electronics,
I thought that I could swap out one pic
and the other one of my "sister" Rita, the chihuahua
would still be there, but she is gone!!
No more doggie in your followers block ladies,
it is now ME!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

******************************************

Secondly, wouldn't you LOVE to have your
Valentine's Day cards be delivered with a
wonderful Valentine's Day themed postal cancellation???
Here are a list of loving cities
who participate in Valentines Remailings!!



Bliss, NY 14024 -- Postmaster Rosemary Phillippi (585-322-7740) who runs this one-person office says that last year she applied a special pictorial cancellation for Valentine's Day on more than 2,000 envelopes. Her average daily cancellations are 200. This year she will personally apply the unique postmark depicting a cloud bearing the inscription, "Love on a Cloud." The postmark also depicts a shooting heart with stars along the top and bottom. This postmark is available from February 14 through March 14, 2004, only. The media contact is Maureen Marion (315.452.3582).

Heart Butte, MT 59448 -- Acting Postmaster Donel Hall (406-338-2399) is offering a pictorial heart in red ink with a ribbon postmark of Heart Butte during the entire month of February. The Heart Butte Post Office receives several hundred Valentine postmark requests per year.

Juliette, GA 31046 - Postmaster Delores Molton (478-994-6611) says customers can receive a pictorial postmark illustrating Romeo and Juliet with the Juliette, GA, cancellation. Cards must be submitted by February 10 for delivery by Valentine's Day. For additional information, contact Jean Wilkes at (478- 752-8743).

Loveland, CO 80538 -- Loveland Information Clerk Bob Tholl (970-663-3010) says customers can receive a Cupid cachet, love verse and pictorial heart-shaped Loveland postmark. Loveland normally receives an average of 35,000 cancellation requests per day throughout Valentine season, making it the world's largest Valentine remailing program. Loveland receives more than 200,000 Valentines annually from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Senior citizen volunteers do the hand-stamping of the Cupid cachet and love verse.

Loveville, MD 20656 - Postmaster Eva Hall (301-475-5243), who operates the one-person Post Office in rural Southern Maryland, says her daily volume of 1,200 cancellations increases six-fold to 7,200 daily a week prior to Valentine's Day. During this time Hall brings in a clerk whose sole job is to hand-cancel Valentine cards with a unique postmark that depicts Cupid shooting an arrow through a heart. The Cupid postmark is available February 1-14 each year.

Loving, NM 88256 - Postmaster Charlotte Brewer (505-745-3611) says that Loving's special pictorial postmark, available February 1-14, consists of lovebirds sitting on top of a heart over the inscription "Valentine's Day Station." Loving is a small community with a population of 1,400 located near Carlsbad Caverns. Postmarks increase from 500 on an average day to 4,000 before Valentine's Day.

Romance, AR 72136 -- Postmaster Nancy Schnebelen (501-556-5911) reports that two of approximately ten weddings held in the lobby last year were on Valentine's Day. Schnebelen says mail volume increases dramatically during the spring months of April through June as a result of couples wanting the "Romance" cancellation on their wedding invitations. The Romance Post Office postmarks about 400 letters on a given day. Two weeks prior to Valentine's Day that increases three-fold to about 1,300 daily. When necessary, Schnebelen schedules her postmaster relief to assist her in hand-canceling each special piece of "romantic" mail. This year's cancellation portrays a dove trailing a ribbon from its beak, with the ribbon's inscription: "Love is in the Air."

Romeo, MI 48065 - Postmaster Alex Stubbs III (586-752-3823) says customers can receive a pictorial postmark illustrating Romeo and Juliet with the Romeo, MI, cancellation.

Sugar City, CO 81076 - Postmaster Patty McGee (719-267-3333) says the request for the pictorial postmark bearing the description "Sugar City - The sweetest town around," generates several hundred Valentine postmark requests a year.

Valentine, NE 69201 - Postmaster Rick Bordeaux (402-376-1540). A special postmark featuring the words "With Love on Valentine's Day" is available February 1-15. He reports that Valentine's daily average of 3,500 postmarks each day increases to 20,000 daily two weeks prior to Valentine's Day.

Valentine, TX 79854 -- Postmaster Maria E. Carrasco (432-467-2912) operates the Love Station of Texas. Since 1993, students from grades 7 through 12 compete to see whose artwork will be used on that year's special cancellation stamp, and each year the cancellations has been different. Carrasco, with the help of her postmaster replacement, will hand- stamp cards and letters February 1-14. In 1994, a record 39,000 pieces from all over the world received the Valentine postmark. On an average day Carrasco postmarks approximately 100 cards and letters. Two weeks prior to Valentine's Day, that number increases to 1,000 to 2,000 daily.

Valentines, VA 23887 -- Postmaster Denise Evans (434-577-2456), who runs the one-person Post Office, says her daily average of 100 cancellations jumps about 400 times to 40,000 two weeks prior to Valentine's Day. During this time, Evans brings in her postmaster relief for the sole purpose of hand canceling Valentine cards with a unique postmark depicting a red heart with several flowers around the heart. The red heart postmark is only available mid-January through Feb. 14 each year.

So here is what you need to know:
Make sure to affix correct postage to your cards,
Use a larger envelope to enclose your cards,
I suggest USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelopes ($4.95),
and mail to:

POSTMASTER
c/o Valentine Remailing
City, State, Zip

Remember to mail early so you don't miss the "cut-off,"
international mail, be extra cautious of time constraints,
if it takes 3 weeks for your mail to arrive,
then sending it to Loveland a week before
Valentines Day isn't going to work out, lol.

*********************************************



This is a card I made for Tracey, my MDUC teamie, that I did not have the chance to blog. It was meant to go into about 7 challenges, but each passing day saw another challenge deadline missed and before I knew it, I just never blogged it!! My Christmas schedule was insane!! Nevertheless, think back to the "nontraditional Christmas colours" challenges a few months back, this is when I created the card. Basic Grey papers, Magnolia stamps from Kellies shop, as is that brilliant wire heart, the tulle and velvet rickrack are from my stash, she's coloured in distress inks and dosed with a fair amount of gold stickles. The pressies were pieced with BG papers and hemp was added around the boxes. I wonder what's inside!!?


This little gift bag was made as a last minute gift for my favorite postal clerk, thus the envelope!! I was going to enter it in the slew of last minute present challenges and a colour challenge, but the same story, not enough hours in the day to create, work, blog, work, work, eat, maybe even some sleep... The papers are Basic Grey, the stamps came from Kellie's shop, the DP is Basic Grey, the doiley was the beginning of a very long phase in my crafting, they are hard to resist, everythings cut out and popped up on foam dots, coloured in distress inks and coated in Stickles. Hemp, lace and ribbon are from my stash, the charm is from Blue Moon Beads.


******************************

I actually have more to blog,
but I think I will give this a break
and save some for Thursday or Friday!!
Tomorrow I have a card to share for the
new Creative Inspirations challenge,
and hopefully I can get some awards passed out
in that posting too :)

Take Care,
Stephanne

Be Mine or else......

Hello everybody,
I hope all is well with you!!
As you can see, there is some new rubba
over at House of Stephanne
and I could hardly handle waiting to ink them up!!
This one is called "Drucilla",
from the Moonlight Whispers line of
Kraftin' Kimmie stamps,
and I love her wacky butt to bits!!
The characters remind me of Nickelodeons' Rugrats!!


The DP is My Minds Eye from the be*loved release,
cardstock is Bazzill, and everything else is from my stash,
except for those little red buttons from Princess Bling.
I've coloured in distress inks,
added Stickles and Peach Spica pen,
as well as Pewter Liquid Pearls.
She seems like a spunky gal so I gave her
a few highlights and burgundy lo lights, heehee!!


I've used the sketch over at
Stampin' For The Weekend,
I've used Drucilla's legs as a component of the sketch,
at Kraftin' Kimmie's Challenge,
they've set a colour challenge of
red, pink and brown + hearts,
Crafty Creations
is hosting a Valentine's or Love theme,
and that is it, I guess.
So many sketches at the moment,
really puts a damper on my challenge combo's....

Thanks for stopping by tonight,
have a wonderful weekend!!
Stephanne

Ike and Mike play with Creative Inspirations!!

Hello ladies, and possibly a gentleman,
it's Wednesday and you know what that means,
a new challenge for you over at
Creative Inspirations!!
We have a fabulous sketch by Nat
for you to create with, it's a good'un too!!!
Here's my take on it!!


As some of you know, I have been on a quest for a penguin image and these little penguins from Whipper Snapper Designs are just what the doctor ordered!! Here we have "A Hug for Ike," Ike the penguin is getting a bear hug from the superbly adorable Mike!! Love these, I am totally pleased with my WSD purchase, as always, and even though it's a little late in the season, I think you'll be seeing more from Ike and Mike very, very soon!!


DP is K & Company, cardstock is Bazzill, the image is coloured in distress inks and layered, popped up with foam dots, background distressed in faded jeans, snowflakes have been stamped onto the back panel with Brilliance Moonlight white ink, Star Dust stickles has been added here and there, and the punched snowflakes are courtesy of a Martha Stewart punch, they've been glimmer misted in pearl and stabbed with these fabulous curdoroy brads from the dear Princess Bling Kristy, thanks snookums!! The snow is Martha Stewart coarse glitter and the sentiment is a stamp from Recollections, I cut and shaped a white peice of Neenah into a banner shape, distressed it in Old Paper, stamped the sentiment on it in Faded Jeans and slapped on some Stickles, the idea was to make it look snow-kissed, not sure I pulled it off, but a grand idea nevertheless!! More sewing, lots of distressing with scissors, scrummy lace from my stash, and there you have it!!


Seems sort of plain after my last couple of cards, but I wanted to show off the image work and the yummy paper and distressing, not to mention, my rapidly-improving sewing skills, lol!!

I have, of course, fit this into several other challenges:
A spoon full of sugar wants to see lots of layering, oh yesssss, I can do that!
Colour Create is hosting a kraft, white and blue + texture challenge,
Double Dutch wants to see our frozen, frosty creations,
PaperPlay Challenge is hosting a Furry Friends challenge,
Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential is suggesting we let our snowflakes go wild!!!
And of course, our sketch from Creative Inspirations


I hope you all will have a chance to play along with us this week, we have a yummy prize up for grabs and beautiful inspiration from the DT!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

You're Sinfully Sweet!!!

Hello lovely bloggers,
I hope you've been crafting up a storm!!
The time has come for
Magnolia Down Under
to post a new challenge,
and wouldn't you know,
the theme is Valentines Day!!!
Hearts, reds, pinks, frilly things, etc.
We'd like you to warm our hearts
with your romantic side, wink wink ;)



Well, I was besmitten by Cupid and over the course of a few days crafted this Valentiney creation. Actually, this is the hardest challenge I've taken part in lately. Let's just say it wasn't coming to me. All that talk about Cupid was a lie!There was, however, a wonderful envelope of Valentines supplies in my mailbox from my lovely blogger buddy Sue that I've put to use straight away, thanks for saving my project Sue, things were looking pretty grim for a while there.



Challenges that begin with the letter C, Alex.
Crafty Creations is hosting a textures challenge,
Creative Inspirations is hosting a distressing challenge,
the sketch is from the truly talented Chelsea of
Crafting Lifes Pieces and at
Charisma Cardz there is an
Anything New Challenge.
As some of you may have noticed,
I was the random lady to win a
7 Kids College Fund
gift certificate at Just Magnolia,
and I've used it to get the following new goodies:
Made with love charm, spica pen,
and Zva Create blossoms,
I also picked out another Mag to add to the family,
she'll be making her debut in the next month or so,
thanks 7 Kids and Just Magnolia :)




In addition to the products previously mentioned,the images are coloured in distress inks, Stickled here and there, white gel pen here and there, Spica pen here and there, cut out and placed on a doily on top of a wonderfully embossed peice of paper from Sue and I believe that she uses a Cuttlebug, that amazing heart doily is handmade by Sue's sis, the punch used for my leafy things is a maple leaf punch by Martha Stewart, lace, ribbon, pins and pearl strings are from me old stash box, love charm is Blue Moon and the heart brads are from Kaiser. I've distressed in Vintage photo and stickled in gold around the edges of the distressed Bazzill Kraft cardstock. I've sewn up the side of my papers for some extra flare.

Well, I bet that anyone reading this
is ready to take a nap,
sorry about the rambling.
Be sure and stop in over at
Magnolia Down Under
and see what sort of fun stuff is happening,
hint hint, we are looking for guest designers ;)
Til Next Time,
Stephanne

Creative Inspirations DT New New New

Hello ladies,
Wednesday is upon us and that means
it is time for another challenge over at
Creative Inspirations,
a nice and easy one for you,
New Year, New Products!!
We want to see you create
with some of that new stash you got
from Santa or bought for yourself
in the last couple of weeks!!


I have had new deliciousness overload!!
With Christmas and my birthday in close vicinity,
gift cards and birthday cash,
punch cards ready to be redeemed,
I tell you, I am in Crafters Heaven!!


Some of my new loot used on this project include
Distress Stickles, 2 new colours of distress ink,
the K & Co. papers, how did I ever craft without them!!?
The gorgeous vintage rose Tilda never inked until now,
and my lovely sewing machine,
sure it isn't BRAND BRAND new anymore,
but I bought it in 2010, new enough, lol.


And my beautiful insignia stamp from Kellie!!
Check them out at MDU here,
truly adds that finishing touch to the project!!
Other items used are MS punches,
beads, pins, lace, ribbon and charm from stash,
Tilda was painted with distress inks in watercolour paper,
then cut out and placed onto Gina K cardstock
that I added a shadow to in faded jeans distress ink
before placing the cut out Tilda on top.
The beautiful gardenias are from Tracey, love them!!
And the mini roses are a custom-coloured item
by yours truly, layered in glimmer mist and inks.


I am playing along with a few other
challenges this time around:
Charisma Cardz
is hosting a colour challenge of
pink, brown, cream and toffee
Crafting Life's Pieces
January Sketch #15,
gorgeous ideas from an extremely talented crafter,
Cupcake Craft Challenge
is going girly this week!!
PaperPlay Challenges
has a Precious Metals Challenge
The Pink Elephant
is hosting a birthday challenge,
and although my creation isn't overtly
BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY BIRTHDAY,
it is indeed a birthday card.

Thanks for stopping by and checking out my creation,
I hope you have a moment to hop over to
Creative Inspirations
and see the other samples,
they are dreamy!!
Oh, to be in their craft rooms
with that new stuff, fun fun fun!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

You're sweeter than strawberries!!

Hello everybody,
I hope you are staying warm,
and Aussies, I hope you are staying cool.
I have a card to share with you.


Information on the joy-fold card is
toward the bottom of this post,
I've used this darling hAnglar image
coloured with distress inks,
along with some fun new-to-me
DCWV Farmers Market papers,
my new toy, the sewing machine, haha,
I had a breakthrough today ladies,
next time I use it, I think the results
will be a little less wiggly,
gotta ease off the throddle, hahahaha,
a Penny Black sentiment,
the Martha Stewart doily punch
and lace ribbon and cherry blossoms.


This is a definite change of pace,
bright bold colours and patterns,
I think I am trying to warm up mentally
because I can't physically or something!!



I have a few challenges that I'll enter this in:
ABC Challenges is up to L,
L is for layering, you know it!!
Cute Card Thursday
is hosting a NEW challenge,
and I went with new-to-me stash
for my "new" requirements,
Dutch Dare Card Challenges
was my inspiration,
they are hosting a Joy fold card challenge,
and have a tutorial included in the posting,
thank you ladies, I enjoyed this lots and lots!!
I had a lot of fun looking at all of the
DT works at these challenges, fab stuff,
I think a lot of us are whipping out
bright and bold papers and embellies, lol.

I hope you all have a wonderful week,
get some crafting done,
visit lots of fellow bloggers,
waffle waffle waffle, with ME, lol!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

Creative Inspirations DT project-Anniversary!!

Hello my blogging companions,
how have you faired
through all the Holiday Mayhem??!!
Any new stamping goodies from
The Man in the Red Suit?
I won't lie, Santa brought me stamps,
he ever wrapped them and put them
amoungst the gifts under the tree!!
I was a good girl this year,
kept a clean house,
paid all my bills,
laid off the swear words a little...

Now that things are getting back to normal
and I can get back to being a good little blogger,
I have some fantastic news to share!!
As if somehow she already knew
I was thinking about branching out
and applying for a design team
or two or seven, lol,
Nat from

Creative Inspirations

invited me to join their challenge blog!!
How great is that?!?!
Have you seen the talent over there, my God!!
I will have to pull out all my best goodies &
learn some new techniques to keep up with them!!



So without further ado,
the challenge this week is:

ANNIVERSARY!!!

And here is my sample,
a card I made for my dear husband,
as our "first-date" anniversary
is just around the bend:


I've created an PeepShow card,
I used a Fiskars circle lace punch
to dress up my peephole!!
The paper in from Graphic 45,
those darling little hAnglars
are painted with distress inks.


I've distressed my papers with Old Paper
and Vintage Photo inks,
I tried to sew, hahahaha,
don't look too closely, I've never sewn before!!
I had this little rinkydink handheld stitcher,
but that was a waste of $10!!!
I just entered the Big Leagues
with a real sewing machine I got for
my birthday this past December 29th, woohoo!!
And like a true paper addict,
the first thing I sewed was a card,
I might try my hand at hemming some jeans
or something a little more practical soon....


My sentiment is something I typed up
on my computer, ENTRUST, now that is heavy, lol.
But it makes perfect sense with the images,
so entrusting the key to my heart it is!!
I have some more sappyness to add to this card,
but figured I would spare anyone reading
of the extra sap-fest.


I've layered lace, velvet and hemp
and tied some charms on.
I want to stick roses on this SOOO BAD,
but it is for a MAN, so I won't :(

Are you still with me
through the Waffle-Fest???
I hope you'll pop in over at
Creative Inspirations
and check out all of the gorgeous
Design Team works this week,
Simon Says will be sponsoring us this week,
so you're gonna wanna give this challenge a go!!
This is also going to be entered over at
Sketch Saturday,
I gave it a flip, as usual, lol, and
A Spoon Full Of Sugar
is hosting a HEART challenge,
and since that is pretty much the theme
to my card, you know, aside from the key...

Have a wonderful week!!
Stephanne

LATE MDUC Project shaken up with a few other challenges

Happy New Year!!
I hope everyone's Holidays have been fantastic!!
I have been avoiding my blog,
just thinking about typing and linking things
has got me stopped in my tracks!!
Too much time typing lately!!
Enough boohoohooing, time for my VERY LATE
design team project for this months challenge at
Magnolia Down Under,
Dear Waffler Kellie set an optional challenge
for us to participate in, if we'd like,
that will run for 4 weeks instead of the usual 2,
which is "Stamp with another Use"
meaning, use a stamp from a specific collection
for something totally different!!
You could get really creative with this one,
or you could play it safe like I did,
either way, you've got a full month,
well, a month from the date of the MDU posting
back in December (hangs head in shame...),
you must pop by and see the DT works
and the amazing prizes on offer this time around!!


I've taken a Christmas stamp and used it
on a few Thank You cards....
You know, thanks for the gifts....
Not very imaginative, but it definitely works.
She's coloured in distress inks,
cut out and mounted onto another image
that I shadowed with Faded Jeans distress ink,
splattered with gold Stickles,
placed on Basic Grey DP,
the sentiment is from the Brenda Walton
Inkadinkado Baby clear pack (it's baaaaaaack....),
the lace trim is from Hancock Fabric,
these are nice and flat for mailing.


I followed the colour challenge over at
the previous fortnights
Colour Create challenge,
which was Pink, Burgundy and Ivory,
but I have been a slacker about blogging
and completely missed the cutoff,
Creative Inspirations
has set a Thank You Challenge,
Roses On Paper
is hosting a favourite colouring medium challenge,
The Pink Elephant
has 2 sketches to choose from,
I chose the one with the circle....
but the circle wasn't working for me,
but thought I would show where the musings
were derived from while crafting these!!

Well, I think I am ready to get back to normal,
I can't wait to see what everyone's been up to
and hopefully there is a whole lot of you
with loads of new crafty stuff from
the man in the red suit!!
Be sure to swing by
Magnolia Down Under
so you can take a looksie at the fabo
design team works and those prizes, wowie!!

Happy New Year!!
Stephanne

Holiday Cheer Gift Set

Happy Holidays everybody,
I hope everyone had a fabulous occasion
and made lots of great memories for their kids.
We had a good time over here,
although it is a little heartwrenching being
1500 miles away from home...
Anyhooooo, to fight off the Holiday Blues,
I put together this gift set for a friend of mine
who has been very supportive and even a bit of an enabler
since I hopped on board the Blogger Train this past March.
She's received her parcel, so now I can blog it.
Very fittingly so, I made a Tilda set.


Here is the card that I made with
Christmas Eve Tilda,
you can catch all the details here,
as I already blogged the card,
what can I say, I am an Internet junkie
and couldn't resist blogging something!!


Now here we have a "refurbished" jar
that I've stripped of its original label and turned it
into a lovely decorative jar complete with choccies inside.
Tilda is joined with Basic Grey papers
and that beloved Martha Stewart punch, and a doily
to adorn this jar, as well as sprigs and berries
that I Stickled and hot glued onto the lid of the jar
to create a festive topiary.


Next is the Tilda gift bag,
which started out as an ordinary lunch bag,
$1.50 for a pack of 40,
and I went to town revamping the basic shape of it.
I cut out a window, bordered it with papers
that were cut with scallop Fiskars shears,
then added shrinkwrap to the interior to make the window,
I don't have vellum or acetate,
so improvising, as always, was done.


Here's a nice example of the colour variance of papers,
this Tilda was stamped onto GinaK cardstock
while the other 2 were stamped on watercolour paper,
all were painted with distress inks together
in the same paint-fest and look at the difference.
The post stamp is also Magnolia,
the lace is from Hancock Fabrics, love it!!
Those gorgeous gardenias were sent to me from
my lovely bloggy buddy and fellow teamie Tracey,
I love them, love love love them, this colour especially,
I think I will pluck the rest of them out of the
bushell of flowers and make something decorative
for myself with them so I can
have them around me ALWAYS, lol,
the leafy punches are by Martha Stewart,
the beads are from the bridal department at Michaels.
For closure, I simply punched 2 holes in the top
of the bag and ran this gorgeous organza through it.


Well, that is about it.
In the photo you can see a lace satchel,
I just prettied up a store-bought bag
with some beads and a little extra organza,
there are some fun craft goodies stuffed inside.

There are some challenges about
that I will be entering my project into:
Creative Inspirations has set Christmas Gift challenge
Double Dutch It's all about the wrapping indeed!!
Secret Crafter Saturday Challenge
has set a last minute gift challenge,
Stamp Something has set a
Holiday Somethings Challenge,
and I used the sketch from Just Magnolia,
but I blogged that already!!

A lot of the challenges have extended deadlines,
which is great for me,
that means I will actually get in on time,
hahahahaha!!!
I hope you and your family
had a wonderful holiday and will have a
safe and happy new year!!

Take Care,
Stephanne

Merry Christmas To You

Hello Happy Bloggy Buddies,
I hope you are well and aren't freaking out
too badly with the big day just a few sleeps away!!
I wanted to share with you part of my big project
that I eluded to in a previous post.


I've used the fabulous sketch that Mina provided
over at Just Magnolia this week.
I love Minas sketches, they are always fun to use!!
This is Christmas Eve Tilda kindly stamped for me
by the fabulous Sue of
Sues Rubber Stamping Adventure,
she's painted in distress inks,
hit with the Crystal Stickles,
cut out and popped up on foam dots,
all papers are Basic Greys new Chrissie pack,
all punches used are Martha Stewart,
I've used a doiley sprayed with glimmer mist
and the lace is from Hancock Fabrics,
the beautiful gardenia that I loaded with
Stickles and Ice Stickles is from
my bloggy buddy and fellow D-teamie Tracey,
you are going to want to head on over to her blog
and check out her amazing creations!!
I've used shankless buttons inside the punched snowflakes &
the bead stems are from the bridal department at Michaels.


I am going to pop this in over at
the following challenges:
Just Magnolia provided the sketch,
Simon Says is hosting a Christmas challenge,
well, that's it I guess!!!
I've gone and missed all the Christmas challenges,
what do you know, lol!!

Now remember ladies,
it is perfectly fine to eat the chocolates!!
Happy Holidays!!
Stephanne

Magnolia Down Under Challenge #29

Hello gorgeous gals,
I Want to share with you the latest
Magnolia Down Under Challenge
and scrummynummy prizes for this
double-fortnights happenings.
Yes, double fortnight, lol.
Our challenge this time around is to unlock
the hidden potential in a collection image,
in other words, we want to see you take a stamp
that seems event-specific and use it another way.
Here are some examples,
although neither of these is my DT card,
they are older cards, just examples.
But first, the prize!!!


Now the old examples made by yours truly:


There will be runner-up prizes too,
you need to scoot on over to
Magnolia Down Under,
take a gander
and see what the amazing Design Team
has come up with to inspire you.
There will be a creation by me soon,
I do have something to blog but I am having trouble
getting on my computer lately,
due to time constraints and a back ache.
I need a backiotomy, hahaha.
I hope everyone is well and getting a sliver
of crafty time in at this hectic time of year.
I have a BIG project going on,
I can't wait to share it with you all :)

Seasons Greetings, Blogger Buddies,
Stephanne

Warm Winter Wishes

Hi folks,
I have a card to share with you.
I tried to step away from the Magnolias,
but I am not so sure that was a good idea!!
My husband just kept saying,
"The mouses don't make any sense."


I am late on many of the challenges I made this for,
except for Stampin' For The Weekend
whose challenge is to use blue and brown,
and House Mouse Monday Challenge
whose challenge is nontraditional Christmas and
Stamp Something is having a
Winter Wonderland Challenge.
The sketch is from the previous fortnights
Creative Inspirations challenge.
Only 5 days late, that's not so bad...


The image is called CloseKnit Friendship by House Mouse,
coloured in distress inks and popped up
on foam dots for dimension.
The dotted paper is K&Co. and the flakes are MME.
The snowflake punch is MS,
coated in MS glitter and waterfall Stickles,
pins, lace and gems, the pretty goodies are from my stash
and the doiley, hahaha, it is by Wiltons....

I hope everyone out there is
doing okay with their Christmas agendas!!
I spent an hour in the post office today
and just have a few more things to make
before I can say I am done.
Would anyone like to make some fudge for me
and ship it out ASAP??
Any takers??? No!??? Nuts!!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

Tilda's dreaming of a White Christmas

Hello blogger buddies,
I hope you are all well!!
I came across this sketch over at
Stamp with Fun
and knew I wanted to have a dance with it.
Thought I would try something light and non-traditional
just to break things up a bit.
I've seen colour combos similar to these lately,
namely, last weeks Just Magnolia DT line-up
and I thought I would give it a whirl.
I'm glad I did because I love it!!


Tilda, kindly stamped for me by Sue, thanks Sue!!
is coloured in distress inks,
yes, I love them, lol,
the coat and cap are coloured in a medley of tones:
peeled paint, tea dye and pine needles,
and the wings and "leggielegs" are done in faded jeans.
I get a lot of inquiries about how I do my whites,
so here is the trick: Old Paper Distress Ink.
Check out that stickles on her coat, Frosted Lace!!
I've used Websters Pages (text) and Magnolia (music) papers,
scalloped papers covered in organza and lace,
lovey roses sprayed in glimmer mist,
I love them, can't live without them!!!
Some cut up pearl strings and
leaves punched with a MS oak leaf punch.
I will be popping this in at a few places:
Just Magnolia set a Christmas challenge,
Cupcake Craft Challenges is hosting a
Christmas Carol Challenge,
I couldn't pick a favourite song,
but Tilda likes White Christmas!!

Thanks for looking,
have a wonderful weekend,
Stephanne

MDU Challenge--The Party of the Century!!

Hi everyone!!
I hope you are warmer than I am today,
at a bonechilling 16 degrees farenheit,
I will be hard pressed to slither
my way out of the cave today!!

We ladies at Magnolia Down Under
were set a challenge by the amazingly talented

Jodie

to make a party invitation
with our wonderful Christmas kits that
The Waffling Boss Lady Kellie sent us.
So after much anticipation,
my stamps arrived and I got straight to work!!


Firstly I must apologize for the photos,
there is no natural light out here lately,
so I had to make do with what I had and well,
I guess that is meant as an apology to myself,
since I am the one who notices it the most, eh?
I was lucky enough to be assigned
Tilda with Crackers
as my design team stamp.
The moment I saw this, I "NEEDED" it,
I just see that ornament, fixated on it really,
it could pop right off the page if one felt so inclined...
So then, my mission was clear, lol.


She is adorable!!
I love her hair in this stamp!!
I've coloured in distress inks,
the ball is done up in Gold Lame Smooch
and then coated in Crystal Lacquer and
popped up on foam mounts.
She's bordered in Gold Stickles.
I wish I could say FIND HER HERE,
but she is sold out at MDU!!
You can, however, head over to find
this lace, the wire star, and the papers!!
There are still a selection of new stamps,
check them out HERE.
I've created this with a few challenges in mind:
Stampin' For the Weekend
wants to see traditional colours of red, green and gold
and Sketch Saturday
provided me with the layout,
though my interpretation is rather loose.
Everybody Art Challenge is hosting a
red and green colour combo challenge,
Pile It On is hosting a
Tinsel Town challenge, use your glittery blingy stuff!!
Saturday Spotlight with Hidden Potential
are hosting a Christmas Flowers challenge.


Well, I hope Jodie approves of my creation
and she can make it to my party this Christmas...
I will be back tomorrow!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

I'll bet you've looked everywhere for these!!!

Hello my lovely chickadee's,
I just had to come and share this with you!!
I have no idea where she found them,
but Kellie at Magnolia Down Under
has just added personalized stamps to the shop.
These gems will be personalized to your liking;
name, even texts and prints are negotiable.
Here's a sample for you,
but if you've been hunting around for something like this,
you'll want to drop in MDU and
check out the variety of stamps that can be made

just for you!!


Have a wonderful day,
I hope it is warm and cozy where you are at!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

DT-MDUC is getting Bedazzling!!

Hi there dear blogging pals,
I hope you are all well today,
I hope you are getting some rest
from the Christmas shopping mayhem
that is taking place, no doubt!!
It's time for a new challenge over at
Magnolia Down Under Challenges
and it is
Bedazzled
so get out your Maggies, gems, Stickles, glimmer mist,
rhinestones, glamour dust, Smooch, perfect pearls,
oh, you get the idea!!!
We can't wait to see what you come up with,
and with Christmas right around the corner,
this challenge goes hand in hand with the season!!
You're going to want to get in on this one,
Kellie is sponsoring this challenge with the
overtly-precious Christmas Eve Tilda as the prize!!
She is definitely on the "NEED" list and would be
the perfect little Christmas gift for YOU!!!!
So go check it out!!


And without further ado, here's Snowie!!!


And to think I was having a hard time with this challenge...
The wonderful Sue stamped me this cutie snowman
and I am so glad she did because it is precious
and loads of fun to bring to life!!
I've coloured in distress inks and gone around
in Diamond Stickles to make Snowie sparkle!!
The papers are from the new Magnolia collection,
you can find yours at Magnolia Down Under here,
the punches are Martha Stewart,
the snowflakes were glimmer misted and then
Stickled in Waterfall with a
Jolee's Swarvoski crystal placed in the center,
the charm, lace and hemp are from my stash.


A slight side angle to show you my stamped snowflakes.
It's nice, you can see them when they catch light,
I stamped snowflakes onto the Magnolia paper
with Brilliance Moonlight White ink and then
heat embossed with Crystal powder,
which is quite nice to have executed,
usually I scorch the paper when I try to heat emboss.
This paper is magical I tell you!!


In true Challenge Hog fashion,
I've got some places I'll be popping this in at:
Layout courtesy of PaperTake Weekly,
Stamp Something is hosting a Glitzy Somethings challenge,
and Simon Says use charms!!!
Have you seen SS Stores' charms?? Totally gorgeous!!!


I guess I'd better wrap this up before I
am accused of Wafflery!!
Make sure to pop your project in at our
Magnolia Down Under Bedazzled Challenge,
we can't wait to see what you're all creating!!
Take Care,
Stephanne

A very merry Magnolia Christmas

Hi everyone, I hope all is good with you.
I've got another card to toss in the pile,
how is everyone else doing with that?
Caught up, barely starting, DONE??
I think I am about 40% above sinking.


This is something I've cooked up with some
of my superyummy supplies the gorgeous Kellie sent.
I am glad I went ahead and placed the bulk of my
Christmas Magnolia order with
Magnolia Down Under
because if I hadn't, I'd still be waiting for them!!!
You can find the lace, papers, and the
adorable Christmas Eve Tilda here.
That lace is super yummy, a very tightly stitched
and detailed variety, I am hooked!!
Some laces are rather flimsy and lack fine detail,
not so with this fabby stuff!!
Okay, enough about lace, onto the card!!


Beyond Magnolia products,
I've used Martha Stewart punches,
Bazzill cardstock, tea roses "Stickled" in gold
and I've coloured in distress inks.
I love the saturation of colour I get with them and
the availability to layer on tones is nice.
I resisted the urge to glitter and shadow her
thinking that it let her look more rustic??? Maybe???

I've gone along with the challenge SPLURGE and will
be popping this in over at:
Colour Create whose colours are green, red and white,
with the optional extra, naturally being Christmas!!
Cupcake Crafts who are hosting a colour challenge
of green and red,
Just Magnolia provided the wonderful sketch,
I loved this, I think I will use it in excess!!
The Pink Elephant set a challenge of colouring in our favourite medium, and when I've got the patience to experiment with it, distress inks are DEFINITELY my favorite!!
Crafty Creations is hosting a challenge that is right up my alley, Lace and Distressing, so I'm going to join in there for the first time, and
Stamp With Fun is hosting a Christmas Challenge, and I want to pledge allegiance to The Waffler Kellie, so I will play over there for the first time as well.

I hope whatever you are doing today,
that you are enjoying yourselves.
I give you permission to take some time out
of this crazy seasons happenings to take a hot bath
or eat half a pound of chocolate alone in your craft room.
Just tell your family, "It's okay, Dr. Stephanne said!!"
Happy Wednesday!!
Stephanne

Calling all Magnolia Addicts!!

The pre-order for the NEW Magnolia Ink Magazine
has officially begun over at
Magnolia Down Under



**PLEASE NOTE** This is NOT available for distribution from Magnolia until January 2010. Pre-Orders will begin DECEMBER 2009. Place your preorder TODAY and be one of the first to get your hands on the next series of MagnoliaInk!! Rumoured to be the FAIRY TALE Issue!!! Magnolia has packed this issue full of inspiration, ideas and tutorials to help you get the most from your Magnolia Tilda Stamps and will feature: * Inspiring Cards, * Sketches, * How to use Distress Inks * Fun Ideas * Step By Step, * New Products, * Featured Artist, * How To Do, * Templates, Events, Shop Directory and more..... The pictured cover is subject to change and is provided as reference. *

Pretty in pink, isn't she......
Have a wonderful day, and if you've got a minute,
stop by Kellie's blog and wish her a happy anniversary!!
Stephanne