Copicendium - New Mini Mag about to be released.

How could I not share this as this would be a perfect mini mag for me as I just received my order of 14 Copics on Thursday.  So I really need to learn a lot about how to colour with these pens.

Sammi over at M4M (Mad for Markers) is putting together this A5 sized mini mag full of Copic colouring ideas.  She is looking for submissions for the magazine here some of the details......also here is a link to her blog for all the details.

Copicendium will be an A5 booklet ... scheduled to be available in late June... We will therefore be accepting Submissions* and Advertising* up until 20th May!

*Submissions
We are looking for creations using Copics .. from beginners to advanced colourers!

This first issue - we are particularly looking for:
- creations using Copic coloured digi images
- pictures of your Copic storage solutions
- Scrapbooking projects incorporating Copics.

Please email your submissions to sales@madformarkers.com.au

* We do ask that you only send NEW creations that have not been published online or in print .. and that you will not publish in either until after Copicendium is released.

* Please be prepared to send through instructions, a product list and most importantly the Copic colour codes you used in your project (on acceptance).

* Please also be prepared to send your project to us (with a self addressed envelope should you want it returned to you)!

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Wedding - DT Card

What amazing creations you came up with for our Recipe challenge over at Cardmadfairy Digi Days.

I had such a wonderful time going around and checking all your entries out.

Congratulations to the very lucky winner and top three entries.

This challenge is all about Weddings.  This was a first for me as I have never made a Wedding Card before.  However, I did enjoy the challenge.

I started with a blank white square card and then added a layer of this beautiful pink heart vellum that I was given.  Next I used Cardmadfairy's 'Heart Vase'.  I kept it simple and coloured the vase a light blue and added Kindy Glitz to the heart flowers.  Much more glittery in real life.  To finish I drew two black lines along the left and bottom of the topper.  To finish the card off I added a silver Congratulations sticker from and this lovely heart brad.

Now it is your turn. :-)

This challenge is open until 13th May.  Please remember you must use a digi stamp on your creation and while we would love it to be a Cardmadfairy image it is not necessary for your entry.However if you use one of our digi stamps you may enter as often as you like, but if your entry uses a digi from another source you are limited to only one entry per person. (All Cardmadfairy Digi Stamps can be found here.)

Our sponsor this challenge is Whoopsi Daisy.

They have the cutest Digital Stamps available....be sure to check them out.

Have a fun weekend everyone....

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

Crafty Sentiments Designe - Royal Wedding ends 5th May

Lili of the Vallery -#94 Love is in the Air ends 5th May

Kaboodle Doodles - #64 Here Comes the Bride ends 30th May

Pay it Forward Winners

Hi everyone, I did have a card to share with you but the photo is on my daughters camera and I think she must have it with her.  However, I will be posting a card later today for the new Cardmadfairy Digi Days Challenge.  Wedding is the new theme. :-)

But now without further ado........I am very sorry to be so slow in posting these names.....the winners of my Pay It Forward envelopes are...........

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

3
7

Timestamp: 2011-04-28 23:25:29 UTC

I had seven lovely people comment on my post here....  so lucky No. 3 is.......... Ilo and lucky No 7. is Lesley.  Could these two ladies please email me with their snail mail addresses.  Thanks so much.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to comment on my blog.  It really makes my day reading your comments and then popping over to your blog to see what you have been up to.  

See you soon with my Design Team card.

Oh, and I had a wonderful start to my day today.....I found out I that my name was pulled out of the hat for the redraw at Southern Girls.  I get to spend $15.00 at The Paper Shelter.

Craftmad April Card Swap - Not a Rectangle or Square Card

Sorry, forgot to add details to this post.

Better late than never....it has been a busy day.

I used my scalloped edge Spellbinder die for the base of the easel card.  Using Bazzill cardstock - Heather.  The paper tole is Happy Birthday Girl and Rabbit...isn't she so sweet.  I like all the flowers in the background.   There are nine layers to this image.  Once again I have used a envelope from Mel Stampz wonderful template collection.

I will be back in the morning with the two names of people I will 'Pay it Forward' to.  Again just have run out of time.

Champagne Birthday

The house is mine, all mine.  :-)  Yes, everyone has gone back to school and work. 

Now it is so (too) very quiet....never happy hey!

Another card for my April Swaps over at Craftmad.  I found a template for this card in one of the magazines my Mum had given me.  I cut the shape out using Bazzill card - Parakeet. Then I cut some gold foil out for the top section of the card and embossed the cork line.  I cut some strips from my Celebrate Dandelion Wishes patterned paper.  I wrapped this around the bottle then created the seal by using my circle Spellbinder.  The top layer is a bronze foil which I embossed free hand by drawing swirls on the back.  Next I needed a label so I added another piece from the patterned paper and printed out my own label  on the computer.  Once again I had to create my own envelop....this one was a little more challenging as I had to use an envelope I had here as a template and adjust the sizing.

Don't forget tonight over at Craftmad is the Create and Chat night.  Kaye will be talking everyone through the making of a Circle Album.  Material List here and Times here.

A couple of challenges I would like to enter:

Make It Monday - #34 Anything Goes ends 2nd May

Sparkles Forum  Challenges - Anything Goes ends 30th April

Delicious Doodles - Anything Goes ends 29th April

Hap-bee Birthday

Morning everyone, last day of our long, long weekend.  Yes, today, Tuesday was appointed a public holiday as a substitute for Easter Monday due to Anzac day falling on that day.  This is also the last day of school holidays.  So everyone is out of the house tomorrow.... Wednesday. :-)  We have had such perfect weather over the weekend.  It was a pleasure to be out and about catching up with friends and family and at home giving gardens some much needed attention.  I even grabbed my cuppa, craft mag and towel and sat up the back yard in the shade of a tree.  Pretended I was on holidays for a moment.  Also took the time to watch the white puffy clouds get blown across the sky.

Okay, time to talk about my card.  This is one of the cards I have made for my Swap partner over at Craftmad.   This month we swapped cards that were not rectangle or square.  You can check out the other creations in the gallery at Craftmad.

I dug out my Octagon Spellbinders and cut several layers of the different papers and card.  Thought this shape was perfect for a bee card (honeycomb).  I started with a base white card, then black card and then a layer of this pretty new Blue Edge patterned paper called Rosewillow Daisy.  Not only is the pattern pretty on this paper, I love the fact that I can choose the smaller version of the design which is attached to the bottom of the main 12" x 12" paper.  Hence, the 'Combo Paper' name.  Next I printed out the sentiment on the computer and added this cute little teddy bee sticker.  Finished with a pretty bow.  Next I had to make an envelope as nothing I had was the right size.  So thanks to Mel over at Mel Stampz for her 100 envelope templates.

A little reminder that the next Craftmad Create and Chat night is approaching really fast.

Wednesday, 27th April and Kaye is all set to talk us through making a circle album for Mother's Day.

Material list here and times here.

Challenges I would like to enter:

The Corrosive Challenge - #113 Welcome to the Jungle ends 1st May

Paper Sundaes - #66 Sundae Bar ends 27th April ( used Yellow and Die Cuts)

Ellephantastic Challenges - Not a Rectangle or Square Card ends 30th April

Fussy and Fancy Friday - Springtime ends 28th April

Amazing cards created by Laura of Mi Sello Personal

Morning everyone, I just have to share these absolutely amazing cards.  

These cards were created by the very talented Laura over at Mi Sello Personal.

I have been following her blog for a little while now and seeing her amazing work. So way back in January I sent an email and asked if she would make four cards for my wonderful school friends. (Known each other 30 + years now, omg!) :-0

The plan was to give them one each on their birthdays. Well I think that the work that has gone into these cards is too fantastic to hold on to so I gave them to my friends on the weekend.

We had a get together for a farewell.

As one of our friends is taking a once in a lifetime journey to Italy for 6 months and leaves at the end of the month......we are all just a tad jealous.

Anyways, I sent Laura a couple of photos of us all together and told her a few details about ourselves and this is what she came up with.

This is while her sister was seriously ill and herself not well at all.  That is why her blog is so quiet.

So I think Laura is a very generous person.

Now the first card I have sent to our friend who is now living in New Zealand but luckily we get to see her every one or two years.  She is the one with the little black dog beside her....a labrador called 'Guinness'.  Then it's me, next is my crafty friend Helen that I mention from time to time, then the friend that is a mad keen photographer and at the end our running and cycling friend.

So everything on this card Laura has created.  There are layers of papers for the ocean, the palm trees are fringed, she has drawn each of us.

Look at the bike on this card.....drawn and cut out by Laura.  I so love how she has used the movie advert as the background.  So so clever.

Yes, this is us to a tee....we love to have our coffee get togethers.  Although, they seem to be a bit spread out these days as our families grow older.  I love the detail of the faux stitching around all the edges.

It seems I have a couple of photos of us altogether on a lounge somewhere posing for our photo.

So this is, so us.  I bet we all wished we fit on the lounge as well as we do on this card.  lol

Once again....amazing details all created by Laura's artwork.

I hope you have enjoyed these cards.  I certainly found it hard to part with them but luckily have these photos.

Have a great Easter Monday which is also ANZAC day here in Oz.

A day to remember all those we have lost in past wars and the soldiers, sailors and airmen currently serving overseas.

We will be down at the local parade as our daughter proudly marches each year and I proudly watch.

Stamping Vacation - Sticky Situation Challenge DT Card - Baby Stickers

Oops....forgot I had these photos scheduled with the plans to come back later and add details.  blushes.

These two cards are for the Sticky Situation challenge over at Stamping Vacation.

This month Denise has asked us to use 'Baby Stickers'.  This can be baby bottles, dummies, etc.

I thought, this would be so easy as I have lots of baby stickers.  How wrong could I be.  I had plenty of stickers that said 'Baby Boy' or 'Baby Girl' but no images.

No problems I headed off to the shops and in the third shop I found these which I do love and a bargain at .76c a sheet.

After shopping I visited my Mum a mad keen crafter.....thought she would have a baby sticker for sure....nope...same as me, only words. lol  Hope that is not the case for you.

Anyways I started both of these card with blank white card then a layer of (boy) Bazzill - Jet Stream and (girl) - Bazzill - Quartz.  Then I used some new papers from Blue Edge Crafts. (boy) -  Sweetiepie Stripes, (girl) - Sweetiepie Dots

I cut the bib shapes our with my Spellbinders - Scalloped edged circle and plain circle.  I used my oval punch to cut a section from the top and added a piece of ribbon.  Ran the white part of the bib through the Swiss Dots embossing folder and then added the appropriate stickers.

Now it's your turn.  I would so love to see what baby stickers you can find in your collection.  

You have until the 21st May to enter this challenge and will be in the running for the monthly $25.00 gift certificate to the store of the winners choice.

I would love to enter these cards into the following challenges:

Crafts and Me - #31 Pink and Sweet ends 26th April (Card Two)

Claudia & Company - Clean and Simple ends 30th April

Craft your Passion - Spotted (dots) ends 25th April (Card Two)

Craftmad Swap Cards, Cardmadfairy News, Create and Chat Night

Morning everyone, the day before the Easter long weekend.  Hope you all have some relaxing plans planned.  We are catching up with friends Saturday and the rest of the time doing day by day.

I just had to share these wonderful cards.  I received them from my swap partner over at Craftmad.  This month we had our first ever 'blind swap'.  Which means we have no idea who we are getting our cards from....they just appear in the mailbox.  Brilliant.   The theme of this swap was two cards that were not Square or Rectangular shaped.

I think my partner definitely achieved the challenge of the swap.  The circle card is so pretty with the papers, flowers and flourish.  The shoe card is even prettier in real life.   The red shoe really glitters and is so elegant.

While I am talking Craftmad I would like to let you know that our next Create and Chat night is coming up next Wednesday, 27th April.  This time Kaye is going to show us how to do a circle album for Mother's Day.  So come and join the fun.

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

More exciting news CARDMADFAIRY CREATIONS is having a special offer for the Easter long weekend.  

ALL digi stamps are Buy One get One free.

For every digi stamp that you buy for only 99p (approx $1.50 AUD) you will be able to choose another - totally free of charge - and if you buy 3 you will get six images for only £2.97(approx $4.55 AUD) - what a bargain!! 

The offer starts at midnight UK time on Thursday 21st April and continues until midnight on Monday 25th. 

Just add the items you want to pay for to your Paypal basket and when you complete the payment process just add the free images you would like in the comments window - easy! 

Stamping Vacation - DT Card - Fountain of Youth Challenge - The Zoo

Hi everyone, I have another Design Team card for you. 

This time it is for the Fountain of Youth challenge at Stamping Vacation this closes 20th May.

This month it is all about Zoo's.

I dug through my digital images and came across this wonderful Hippo which I received from Alison over at Free Digital Stamps.

I remembered that I had this fantastic water background paper.  So I printed the image out on the water paper also added the 'Hello' word.   Then I printed the hippo out again onto some textured grey paper from DCWV.  I then cut the hippo out and paper pieced the image.   Finished by adding three bling. 

A nice quick card but I so love the results.

So now it's your turn to show me all your zoo related creations.  I can't wait to visit and see them all.

Remember every time you enter a challenge (a different challenge everyday of the month) you go into the monthly draw for a $25.00 gift certificate to the store of the winners choice.

Another reminder......once Stamping Vacation reaches 400 followers and followers name will randomly be drawn and will be give a $20.00 gift certificate......we are currently at 383 followers...so not long to go.

I would like to enter into the following challenges:

Claudia & Company - #80 Clean and Simple ends 30th April

Scrap Creations - Digital Images ends 26th April

Stamping Scrapping - Rain or Water ends 24th April

Clown Birthday - Easel Card

Allison G put me on to this cute little image over at MelonHeadz.

So glad I found MelonHeadz...there are lots of wonderful images available there.

Another card for the When I Grow Up challenge over at Stamping Vacation.  This month it is all about clowns.  I am really enjoying using all my stripes and spots for these cards.  Also all the wonderful bright colours.  This challenge ends the 3rd May and all that enter go into the draw for a $25.00 Gift Certificate to the store of the winners choice.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Stampin Up

Paper - DCWV

Image - MelonHeadz

Colouring - Aquamarkers, Copics and Watercolur Pencils

Brads - Stars - Blue Edge Crafts

Oh....great news, I was the lucky winner of Annette's Mini Candy.......big grin from me!!!

Birthday Clown Card and Pay it Forward

Morning everyone, another wonderful day here in North Queensland.  Although the clouds are creeping in....but that would be good timing as the gardens are starting to dry out a little.   Some rain would be great for the vegie garden I rediscovered on the weekend.   The 1m high weeds are gone....found three pineapple plants, garlic chives and two types of mint.  Oh, and lots of lots of worms.  The most I have ever seen in my garden so this made me very happy and keen to plant.  I planted some corn seeds and six tomato seedlings that my wonderful mother had given to me the weekend before.  My motivation. :-)

Now on to my card.  Finally found another clown image to made up a card for the the When I Grow Up challenge at Stamping Vacation closes 3rd May.  Yes, it's all about clowns.  I printed off this fantastic clown image.  Sorry not sure where I got this from....something called Make and Share?  If you know I would love to correct this.  I found this lovely spotted paper from a magazine giveaway and used those colours to colour my clown.  I used my Aquamarker pens and a touch of Kindy Glitz.  I then dug out my Stampin Up card which I still so love for matching colours.  Started with SU Tangerine Tango and SU Taken with Teal.  Finished with these wonderful letter stickers from the Sticker Store.

Just had a discussion with my daughter on how lucky I was that I had the right amount of circles to place the letters and the all the letters to spell the words.  Would be nice to say that was the plan.  However, I did panic when I discovered most of my alphabets are missing 'happy birthday' letters.  The fact that I have right amount of circles was shear luck. :-)

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

Now on to something different.

"Pay It Forward" is the idea of blessing someone with a random act of kindness without expecting anything in return. It’s passing on a kindness, hoping that your recipients will do the same, and forming a never-ending chain of goodwill. But it isn’t only kindness, it is also a means to connect and share instead of just keeping it to ourselves.

Fun right?

Recently I entered into Corry's Whopping Candy (closed now).  Corry added a extra little challenge for this candy.  She offered a sketch to complete a card to win a seperate prize.  This is my entry here.  Now the sketch was a 'Pay it Forward' gift from Claudia and Corry kindly sent everyone that used this sketch a 'Pay it Foward Gift'  some lovely papers and a beautifully coloured Tilda on a tag.

So now it is my turn take part in this 'Pay it Forward' chain.

I have these two, envelopes which will be filled with some papers, something from me and something from my area, envelopes ready for:

- TWO PEOPLE WHO COMMENT ON THIS POST.  
I WILL USE ONE OF THOSE RANDOM NUMBER CHOOSING THINGS AND PICK TWO COMMENTS ON WEDNESDAY, 28TH APRIL.

You do not have to continue this chain of Pay it Foward but would love it if you did.
I sure hope you all take the time to pay it forward. 

There's nothing better than sending, sometimes a complete stranger, a little something to say hi! 

Wedding Card - Tying the knot

Morning everyone,  how is your Monday going so far.  Mine is wonderful, another day of school holidays, so a few plans have been made.  

This is the second card I made for my friend who asked for a wedding card. (Made three all up)

I have to admit this is my favourite.  

The couple that are getting married are sailors and apparently they made their own invitations.  On the invites they had attached lots of different sailing knots.

So I decided to follow that theme.

I started with a plain white card, added some gold vellum paper.  Then used this lovely pearlised white paper which I ran through my 'Victoria' embossing folder.  I printed out the sentiment on my computer.  and tied this 'Clove Hitch' on to some bamboo skewers which I cut short.  My husband helped me choose the knot as I did want one you could use in sailing....and yes, he enjoys his sailing too. Plus we both like the fact that the name is 'Clove Hitch' and this couple are getting hitched.

I would like to enter into these challenges:

Totally Gorjuss - Not Patterned Paper ends 23rd April

Frosted Designs - Homemade Embellishment ends 22nd April

Polka Doodles - #15 Tying the Knot ends 24th April

Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - A Recipe - DT Card

Once again, I had so much fun tripping around blog land seeing all your wonderful creations for our last challenge - Easter.  You are all so very creative.  Congratulations to our lucky winner.

The new Cardmadfairy Digi Days challenge is a:

Recipe:  1 image (remember this must be digital), 2 papers and 3 embellishments.

So for my card I have used Cardmadfairy's fun 'Joey' image which I coloured with my watercolour pencils and aqua pen.  I chalked around the edges and even remembered to put a shadow under the skateboard so it didn't look like he was floating on air.  I started with a blank white card, some blue paper  and then a layer of this wonderful new Blue Edge paper called Sweetiepie Diamond Check.  I added some Stampin Up ribbon across the bottom and added three star brads.  To finish I printed out the greeting using a variety of fonts.  Tore the shape I wanted and attached it with this little paper clasp I picked up cheap from the supermarket.

Now it is your turn to share in the fun.

I can't wait to see your creations.

Be sure to check out the Cardmadfairy Digi Days blog as there are a couple of changes this time around regarding the winner of the challenge.  We are also adding a Top Three to show appreciation of the work you put into your creation.

Almost forgot the import info:

Our sponsor this month is Wax Fruit Company.  

Be sure to pop on over and see the wonderful items they have available.

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

Simon Says - For a Child ends 20th April

Make It Monday - Anything Goes ends 18th April

Wedding Card and Bukuro Bag

Morning all, it is such a beautiful Autumns day here.  Clear skies and touch of coolness in the air.  The kids are sleeping as it is the first day of school holidays or officially a 'pupil free day'.  :-)  Bliss.

Today I am sharing with you my first ever wedding card.  A friend has asked me to make a wedding card for her to give to some friends.  

It's an okay card....I have made another two that I much prefer but one is for DT so can't share yet.

I have started with a blue base card as the couple getting married are sailing people....so I was thinking water.  I rounded the corners and added a layer of this beautiful vellum paper with roses on.  This is the last piece. :-(  Then I added the ribbon and attached a bow.  Finished by adding some gold wedding stickers from the Sticker Store.  I added a bling to each heart.

I would like to enter this into the following challenges:

Crafts and Me #30 - Ribbons ends 20th April

Creative Craft World - Love and Marriage ends 26th April

Scrapbook Sisters - Wedding or Anniversary ends 26th April

Here is another Bukuro bag that I made.  I used slightly smaller pieces of material on this one and it has turned out so cute.  I hope everyone is having fun creating these bags.

Flashback Friday Challenge #10 - Stitching

I so love this challenge although I have only entered it once before.  Silly me forgot to follow so that I could remember the name.  Thankfully a blog I follow mentioned this challenge and here I am again.

It's called Flashback Friday and they challenge you to go back on your blog and find the first card you posted that is relevant to their challenge.  This time it is the first project with stitching on.  Here is mine.  I really do like to stitch around the edges of my cards.  Shame I can't leave my machine set up as I think I would do it more often.

When doing the challenge you have to remember to repost the card into a current post.

Here is the link to my original posting back in November 2008....omg, have I been blogging that long.

******Sorry to edit this so many times.  I was just sitting here rereading what I had typed on the post.  Then trying to remember the card that I had entered in my other one and only Flashback Friday challenge.  Lol....it was this same card.  Can you believe it!!  

You can see it here....it wash Flashback Challenge 4.0 and asked for your first ever Christmas card.***************

Sorry I haven't been around much....I have caught up on a couple of blogs I like to follow but not all.  The kids and life are once again keeping me busy.

Work experience for my daughter which she is loving but this means two hours out of my day driving.  But hey, I get chatting time with her.

Our son is dealing with a passing of friend from school.  They were not best buddies but in the same year level and have spent time together in the past four years.  Some our sons mates have known this boy since they started school.  So seeing them so upset is also affecting our son.  

Personally, I didn't know this boy but it just puts you in a quieter mood and I have been doing lots of thinking.  My heart so goes out to the family that has to deal with this.

On another note....kids start school holidays this Friday for ten days.....so either will have time at home while they are off with their mates or we will be tripping around.

Take care....and I will catch up with you soon.

List of Fours

Stacie from All Things Crafty has tagged me to play along and after I am done I will be passing this on to 4 other people!

4 Shows you watch:
1. Project Runway
2. Cold Case
3. Warehouse 13
4. Hotel Inspector

4 Things you are passionate about:
1. Our kids
2. Crafting
3. Exercising (but not overly passionate....can miss doing any for a couple of days)
4. Food

4 Words/phrases you say a lot:
1. It's your turn to take the rubbish out
2. Set the table
3. Any dirty clothes in the wash now
4. OK

4 Things you've learned about the past:
1. Try not to worry as it will work out.
2. All smudges on cards can be covered by a butterfly
3. Get your wheels align early otherwise it could mean four new tyres...ouch!!
4. Buon giorno is for the morning and Buon sera is evening.

4 Places you would like to go:
1. Back to Italy
2. Finland
3. Canada
4. Places in Australia I haven't seen

4 Things you did yesterday:
1. played tennis
2. swept the floor
3. coffeed with a friend
4. drove to Cairns and back twice

4 Things you are looking forward to:
1. Relay for Life 18/19th June
2. Travelling to Brisbane with our son for an Open day at a Media College
3. The possibility of another trip with my hubby
4. The weekend

4 Things you love about spring:
1. The weather
2. Flowers
3. Playing in the garden
4. Butterflies

Tag 4 people to play along:
1. Kaye
2. Alisha
3. Thearica
4. Paola

Thank You Hound Card

No clown card from me today.  I tried to find inspiration and the time but the two just did not come together at the same time.  Plus my kids were keeping me busy helping them find some work experience.  Thankfully that is all settled now.

So here is another project I am working on.  Mandy from over at Craftmad has asked for donations of cards with Cats or Dogs on to donate to a Charity Event in aid of Animals (16th April).  See more info here.

Thought it was time to do another 3D paper tole embellishment.  This guy looks so regal and faithful so I made him the star of the card.  

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I am hoping to find some time to do some more dog or cat cards so hope to have them to show you next week.  Also have family coming for morning tea so that will be lovely to catch up with everyone.

Take care and catch up with you next week.

Supplies:

Cardstock - Bazzill - Leapfrog and Pine Cone

3D Paper Tole - Collie and Dogs

Design Paper - Blue Edge - Rosewillow Green Sqaures

Sticker - gold Border Sticker

Brads - Star Antique Metallic