Magical Monday - Orange and Purple

Hi Everyone!  Today it was my turn to choose the theme for this fortnight's Challenge over at Paper Cupcakes, There's Magic in the Air Challenge Blog.  With Halloween just around the corner Nina has a fabulously fun image (What Characters) and a few sentiments which you can download for free to play along and which the DT has featured.  So my choice of theme was easy and I made it simply to use the colors Orange and Purple on your card.

For my card I have combined these two colors on a elongated purple card base.  Using some orange corrugated Cardstock and some other bits from my scrap hoard.  The night sky and my sentiment background I have done using my new Gelatos and a Water Brush, whilst the characters, moon and the tree branch have all been colored with my Tria Markers.

Be sure to pop over to the TIMITA site to check out all the DT's creations using this fun image and don't forget if you play along using any Paper Cupcake image you get two entries into the random prize draw.

Magical Mondays - Anything Fall

Hi Everyone!

I am a bit late with my Magical Mondays post this week for Paper Cupcakes/There's Magic in The Air, there just seems to be not enough time in the day of late nor do I want to bombard you with more than a couple posts per day!

This fortnight we want to see you create Anything Fall related!

For my card I have used the Paper Cupcakes Image - Harvest Geese!  And staying true to using up my scraps and old stash, I have teamed it with some old Stampin' Up! papers.

There's lots of signs in blog land this month of the arrival of autumn, so lots of challenges you can combine with our Anything Fall Challenge over at There's Magic In the Air!  So I do hope you'll play along.

For lots of lovely fall inspiration showcasing the wonderful designs from Paper Cupcakes be sure to head over to the TIMITA blog and check them all out!

I have heaps on the creative horizon this week so stay tuned.  I will be back a bit later today to share my Day 3 - Use Primary Colors and Day 4 - Fallen Leaves cards for the 31 Day Card Challenge.

Magical Mondays - Things with Wings

Hi Everyone!  I was asked to choose the theme for the Paper Cupcakes Magical Monday's Challenge this week and as I am a lover of all birds and butterflies I couldn't go past choosing to include something with wings on your project.  It can be something winged in the main image or an embellishment. ie. Fairy, Butterfly, Bird etc. on the card.  

I have gone for a bit of a distressed look (used my paper distressor around the edges) with this one,  choosing some more vintage oriented colors/papers and the Gorgeous Sunday Afternoon Image from Paper Cupcakes.  I have also broke out my SU Pastels/Chalks for this one, so my coloring is a bit distressed also.......lol.

For my things with wings I have the adorable goose on the main image and three butterflies which I have stamped using Unity Stamp Co KOTM stamps.

So for more winged inspiration be sure to head over the TIMITA Blog and checkout all the wonderful DT Creations and we would love for you to play along too!

I am also entering this card into the following challenges:-
Vintage Elusions Cards and Crafts - #5 Distressing/Anything Goes Challenge
Crafty Card Makers - Challenge #74 Winged Things
Tammy's Scrapping Corner - #26 Anything with Wings
Quirky Crafts Challenge - #18 Recycling on the Farm (Have Recycled Leaf from Christmas Centrepiece)
Craftymess Challenges - #16 Animals with a Blue Theme

Magical Monday - Just Say Hello

Hi Everyone!  It's time for another Paper Cupcakes  Magical Mondays Challenge and this week we want to see a card you create for a teacher, neighbor, friend etc to say Hello!

The DT Cards this week are all showcasing this month's freebie called 'Greetings'.  Simply follow the link over on the TIMITA site to download it!

I colored the image in with my Tria Markers, and the two papers I have used are some that I have had in my stash forever, I know that one of them was from Basic Grey but not sure about the other.  The colors are those I don't normally use, but I thought together they coordinated wonderfully, so I colored the image accordingly and  have gone for a simple layered design. 

So if you create a card saying, G'day Mate, Hi, Hello, Bonjour this fortnight we'd love to see it!  And don't forget this image is only available free for a limited time, so act quickly.  And whilst over at the TIMITA Site be sure to check out all the wonderful inspiration from the DT using this image.  As always if you use a Paper Cupcakes Image on your card you will be entered into the random prize draw twice!

Magical Monday - Decorate with Doilies

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.  We had some glorious winter weather here, so we made the most of the sunshine and got out and about in the garden.  Its such a wonderful time of year with Spring just around the corner and our garden is home to such a vast array of wildlife.  Throughout the day one part of the garden in particular is frequented by numerous birds coming to see what feed may have been put out for the lorikeets.  Wild Woodland Ducks, Galahs, Rainbow Lorikeets, King Parrots, Doves, Magpies, Cockatoos, just to name a few. 

In other parts of the garden including just outside our bedroom window (my cats favorite viewing point is here) we have the wrens, honey eaters, willy wagtails, fantails and peewees. It really is quite Magical to watch them all.

Speaking of Magic this week for Magical Monday's with Paper Cupcakes at TIMITA we want to see you decorate your cards with Doilies.  Whether it be a paper, a die cut or a stamp if it's a Doily we we want to see it! 

For my card today I decided to go with a paper doily and make a circular card using the doily as the background.  It's something a bit different to what you would be used to seeing here on my blog.  It was the perfect shape for the beautiful Mandelina (image) to adorn.  I have simply colored her with my Tria Markers.  

I created my circle card base with my Spellbinders die which I also used to cut out the frame and sentiment panel for the centre. I simply layered my Doiley over the green shimmer card base. For embellishment I used some green in a similar shade to my card base in the way of the ribbon roses along with some white paper roses and some blue rhinestones and coordinating green ribbon.  And every fairies wings needs a little glitter so I have added some Crystallina Kindy Glitz to  them.  The Sentiment is from Stampin' Up!

For more beautiful Doily inspiration be sure to pop over to TIMITA.  Don't forget if you join the fun of our challenge and use a Paper Cupcakes Image you have two chances to win.  To help you do just that Nina has the beautiful flower cupcake image available in store for just $1.

Magical Monday - Waste Not!

Hi Everyone!  I hope you are all doing well, I've been a bit quiet on the crafting front of late other than my DT Projects as I have still been feeling a bit flat and have lots of other 'stuff' for want of a better word going on at home.  We've got tradesmen doing some fix ups at the old house including painting the exterior, whilst we have been doing a bit of tidy up (still sorting through boxes from our move) and fix ups of our own around here which has included redoing our drive way (well 1/3 of it so far) with a new layer of road base.

This week at There's Magic in the Air our theme is Waste Not! This fun theme was set by my fellow DT Member Shirley who wants to see you reuse/recycle something and use it on your card/project such as a coke tab, game piece, tag etc.

For my card today which I have to admit I was a bit rushed for time for I have used two recycled items.  Can you pick what they are?

Firstly the patterned strip across the bottom of my card isn't actually a piece of scrapbook paper its actually cut from the packaging page that displays what items are included in the pack of scrapbooking papers.  This one is from the Echo Park Merry Christmas Collection as seen below.

The second item is the ribbon and jingle bell which is from a Lindt Gold Bunny I normally get for easter each year similar to the ones shown below.  On coming in to the office to do my post this morning I picked up my card from the desk to find the ribbon and bell missing (just a pop dot remaining).......my kleptomaniac cat has struck again.  And sure enough I found her under our bed playing with it.  The jingling of the bell gave her away. She has a real fascination for my craft supplies.....in particular my washi tapes.  I have to remember to shut all the doors.

So what will you reuse or recycle for your card.  Perhaps you do this regularly for your creating I'd love to hear about it!  Almost forgot to mention that the cute Christmas Image is called Noel Bears and is available along with a host of other fabulous Christmas Images from the Paper Cupcakes store.  What's more if you want to play along with our challenge this week Nina has the cute image shown here for just $1 in store for this week only.

For more great ideas for recycling be sure to pop over and take a peek at the blog for all my fellow DT Members wonderful creations.

And lastly I thought I'd share some updated photos of my kitties ......who are now eight months old.....this photo shoot all came about as when I went to use my photo box to take a picture of a card, I found Felix sitting in it and his sister BB watching from under the bed.  I can't believe how fast they have grown.  

Have a great week everyone! 

Magical Monday - You're invited to Play

Good Morning

Its yet another rather fresh and foggy one here this morning.  Yesterday we got down to  a chilly 2 degrees here which is one of the coldest winter days we have had for a few years. I so don't like the cold, but having to take Rod to work each morning at 5.30am means I get to experience the coldest part of the day most mornings.  The best part is I get to see the magic as the sun rises and the day begins.

Speaking of magic its time for another Magical Monday Challenge over at Paper Cupcakes, There's Magic in the Air Blog.  This week we were all challenged by our lovely DT member Carroll to make an invitation.

Using one of Nina's newest images 'Girl with a Umbrella' I decided to create a Invitation to a Bridal Shower.

Image:  Paper Cupcakes Girl with a Umbrella Digi 

Papers/Cardstock:  Stampin' Up!

Ink:  Tria Markers and SU Concord Crush

Other:  Ribbon, Bling, Kindy Glitz.

Of Course the invitation could be for a barbecue, cocktail party, baby or wedding shower, birthday party, pool party or just a get together to have Fun!  

The Design Team this week pretty much have all these bases covered with their creations, so be sure to pop over and take a peek if you are needing a little inspiration.  I do hope you will join in the fun of this challenge.

Magical Monday - One for the Boys

A big warm hello and thank you to all my wonderful blogging friends for all the lovely comments you have left for me these past few weeks!  I really appreciate them and I also love visiting your blogs and seeing what you have all been up to.  Sadly that's about all that is bright and warm here today.  Its another wet and cold day here!  The rain has eased a little but has been replaced by a strong and very cold wind.

Its a great day to be rugged up indoors, creating with a hot chocolate and the radio on.  So that is what I have planned for this morning, however I do have to brave it and go out a bit later.

For our Magical Monday's Challenge this fortnight Nina has a wonderful freebie for you to use if you want to play along with our Male Inspired Challenge which was chosen by Ildiko this week.  Its the same image all the DT have used for their cards today.

It's called 'Mustache Cupcake' and you can download it by following the links from the TIMITA Challenge Blog.

Red, White and Black seem to be my go to colors this past week, perhaps because I have been creating male themed cards but then again I love this color combo.  For my card today I have used some of the Bo Bunny 6 x 6 Enchanted Collection Papers.  I have paper pieced my cupcake as well as using another paper from this collection for my background.  I added some red ribbon and backed my sentiment with a pop of red to match the glossy cherry on top of the cupcake which I have colored with my Red Tria Marker and coated with Glossy Accents.  I also used a couple of funky brads to match my background for the center of the bow.

I know you are just going to love all the other wonderful mustache cupcake creations from the DT this week, as much as I do, so be sure to pop over the TIMITA blog and see them for yourself.  Whilst there you can  get all the challenge details too!  I do hope you will play along and I can't wait to see what you create! 

Magical Monday - 3 In a Row

This fortnight for Paper Cupcakes Magical Monday I was asked to choose our challenge criteria and thought it would be fun to have a 3 in a Row Challenge, where you choose a row of elements from a grid which are in line either, vertically, horizontally or diagonally and you must incorporate these into your card.

For my card I chose to work using one of the vertical combinations of elements which is to use 2 or more patterned papers, lace and bling.

Image:  Mommy's Shoes by Paper Cupcakes

Sentiment:  Art & Possibility Set by Donna Downey from Unity Stamp Co.

Cardstock/Paper:  Stampin' Up & Christy Tomlinson She Art Papers

Ink:  Tria Markers and Memento Black Tuxedo Ink

Other:  Spellbinder Long Rectangle Nesting Dies, Lace, Felt Flower, Rhinestones.

Isn't this image so sweet!  It's called Mommy's Shoes.  The minute I saw it I fell in love with it.  It's one of  20 new images released by Nina over on the Paper Cupcakes site this month, so be sure to pop over to the store and check them all out as there is a great variety suited to so many occasions.

For more wonderful inspiration from the team and to see the full list of elements you can choose from to play along with our 3 in a Row Challenge, be sure to pop over to TIMITA.

Other Challenges I am entering this card in:-

Sassy Studio Designs: DTBST #126 Hats off to You
ATC's and Cards with Attitude:  Challenge #14 Anything Goes
Inspire Me Fridays: #60 Anything Goes
Patties Creations: #44 Recipe
Totally Gorjuss - #133 Something New (Digi and She Art Papers)

  

Magical Monday - Sketch Challenge

What better way then to start today off with a new Magical Monday Challenge.  Its a beautiful sunny autumn day here and after spending the past three days in bed with a dreadful throat infection which took hold midway thru last week, I am feeling a little better this morning.  I am going to make the most of the beautiful weather and probably sit for a while in the sunshine which I hope may help me get this bug finally beat.

We have a delightful freebie image for you and a fabulous sketch from Nina for our Paper Cupcakes Challenge this week over at TIMITA.  The image is called 'Sending Cheer Your Way' and is available for the next 48 hours by following the link in the Challenge Post.  The name of this image encouraged me to use bright and cheerful papers, so what better than Echo Park's Sunny Days Collection and a Yellow Card Base.

Sadly we said goodbye to two of our DT Members this week with both Audrey and Wilma stepping down but excitedly (its always exciting to welcome new DT) we have two new members stepping up to take their places.  So please be sure to pop over and welcome Carroll and Angie

Even more exciting news is that there is 20 new images now available in store at Paper Cupcakes Digital Stamps.  I am sure the DT will be showcasing some of these wonderful new images over the upcoming weeks, as I know I will be as I have fallen in love with quite a few of them.

So with so much magic in the air today, be sure to pop over to TIMITA and see it for yourself.

Magical Monday - Be Inspired

Monday here was Magical.  The sun was out for the full day, and combined with the wind it was the perfect day for doing the washing.  It was a nice change from all the wet weather we have been experiencing.

Our Challenge this fortnight over at There's Magic in the Air has been set by fellow DT Member Sonia Rivera and she has challenged us to come up with a card using the wonderful picture below as our inspiration.

The pops of color from the furnishing and the white couch were my main inspiration.  The Patterned Paper and Green Strip down one side was taken from the floor rug, the yellow strip and flower from the pot in the top left corner and the shape of the image panel was from the cushions.

The image which I've colored with my Tria Markers is called 'Sent with Love' from the Paper Cupcakes  Store.  I've cut this out and popped it up and once again I am using the beautiful She Art Papers by Christy Tomlinson.

Be sure to pop over to the TIMITA blog to see what inspiration from the picture the rest of the Design Team has taken.  You are sure to love them all, and I can't wait to see what wonderful entries we have, one of which I am hoping will be yours!

Magical Monday - Let's Get Acquainted

Its time for another Magical Monday with Paper Cupcakes over at There's Magic In the Air and this fortnight our fellow team member Shirley asked us all to get acquainted, and case a card from one of our fellow DT Members.  For those of you have been following me for some time, you know that I tend towards CAS Cards, so when I saw a recent card on Shirley's Blog using lots of layers I just knew this is the one I wanted to copy the design of.  I am really happy with how it turned out and all the colors together and the image is so fitting for today as it has been raining here for the past couple of days.

Digi:  April Showers from Paper Cupcakes

Papers:  Echo Park & Stampin' Up!

Colour:  Stampin' Up! Watercolour Pencils, 

Other:  Oval and Scallop Oval Dies, Crochet Flowers.

SHIRLEY'S CARD 

This is Shirley's Card I copied the design of.  You will find her blog post about this card here.

Nina is kindly offering the delightful image 'April Showers' which has been featured by the DT this fortnight  as this month's freebie, so be sure to grab it while you can. And don't forget that when you use a Paper Cupcakes image in any of our challenges you will be entered in the random prize draw twice.

So to get better acquainted with our DT and for all the other challenge details see this fortnight's Magical Monday Post over at TIMITA.

Magical Monday - Less is More

Less is More when it comes to the Challenge over at There's Magic in the Air this fortnight.  Our challenge this week is brought to you by Ildiko and she describes the criteria for this challenge as follows.

1. Clean: the design is uncluttered with lots of white/negative or open space. Simple: having a clear focal point without a lot going on to detract from it. OR

2. Simple in design regardless of the number of embellishments or how long it takes to color, stitch or to use a special technique. OR

3. Can be copied and mass produced fairly quickly… usually without a lot of coloring, layers, embellishments, tools and/or techniques OR

4. any combination of the above

Image:  Egg Hunt by Paper Cupcakes,  Colour:   Tria Markers

Other:  SU Ribbon, Scallop Square Nesting Die, Viva Decor Pearl Pen, Tonic Corner Punch.

Upon seeing the easter inspired image provided for the DT, I automatically thought Spring Chicks and yellow came to mind, so da-da  yellow is the main colour of my card this week.  I kept the design Clean by having lots of white and Simple by adding just a ribbon and four pearls using my Viva Decor Pearl Pen to the punched corners of my my white background and a little bit to the sun.

Don't forget that if you use a Paper Cupcakes Image for your entries into the challenge you get a second entry into the random prize drawing.  Nina has made this super easy for you to do this fortnight as its Freebie Time and from now until Wednesday you can pick up the adorable 'Egg Hunt' image which has been showcased by all the DT simply by following the link over on the TIMITA Blog.

So remember Less is More and let's see those wonderful CAS Creations.

Magical Monday - A Child's Birthday Card

This fortnight over at TIMITA we want to see cards you create to celebrate a child's birthday.  This fun challenge was set by Gloria and as long as your card is suitable for a child's birthday you have free range on your creativity.

Here is the Joy Fold Card I created using the image Baby Rhino's Day from Paper Cupcakes.

.

Image:  Baby Rhino's Day from Paper Cupcakes, Sentiment:  Stampin' Up

Colour:  Tria Markers, Seam Binding Ribbon: from 3 Girls Jam

And did you know that Nina from Paper Cupcakes is celebrating her birthday so be sure to leave a comment over at TIMITA and wish her a Happy Birthday.   Because it's her birthday she has a free gift for you.  Yes you read it right, a gift for you.  You can download a wonderful selection of fabulous birthday tickets and a Birthday Bingo Card when you visit the There's Magic in the Air Site and view all the details about this fortnight's challenge.  She also has an adorable image called 'Simple Pleasures' that you can purchase for just $1.00 until Sunday to play along with our Birthday Challenge too.

Magical Monday - For Someone You Love

It's another Paper Cupcakes Magical Monday and with Valentine's Day just around the corner we want you to join us in creating a Card for Someone You Love (ie.  Husband, Children, Sister) using the Colours Pink and White and one other colour, but that colour cannot be Red (because that would be too easy......right?).

Obviously your image can include some other colors if needed.  My other chosen colour for my card this week was orange and The Paper Cupcakes DT got to play with the delightful image 'Enjoy the Moment".  This is the monthly freebie which Nina so generously offers her followers, and it can be yours for free for the next 48 hours (until Wednesday) by simply following the link on the TIMITA Blog.

I used a couple of different shades of both the orange and pink with minimal white, for my card.  I did add a bit of other colour however for my image with my Tria makers.  I can't honestly say that I don't think I have combined these two colours before but with the splash of blue I am kind of liking the contrast and the way it all came together.

So now its your turn to play along, and I can't wait to see what you create.

Give Thanks - A Paper Cupcakes Challenge

Today I was met with the sad news of a friends passing and so today's Paper Cupcakes Challenge over on the There's Magic in the Air Challenge Blog to Give Thanks really strikes a cord.  There are many things in life we should be grateful for, and one is our good health, our family and friends.  My deepest sympathy goes out to my dear friend Toni and all her family.

This week the challenge has been set by Gloria and she would like to see you incorporate the colours Brown, Orange and Yellow into your projects as well as wording or images representative of 'Giving Thanks'.

For my card I chose the Autumn Splendor Image from Paper Cupcakes and simply used the word "Thanks" as my sentiment.  I coloured my image with Tria Markers and also added some Yellow Viva Decor Pearl Pen to emboss the sunflower and Viva Emerald Glitter Liner to highlight the leaves and the stem of the pumpkin.

I do hope you can play along with the challenge this week.  Don't forget for all the details and for some wonderful inspiration from the Paper Cupcakes Design Team be sure to head over to the "There's Magic In the Air" Blog.

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas...Card!

Remember a few weeks ago I gave a bit of hint of what I would be doing in November, well today I can finally reveal to you all that I am joining the girls over at "There's Magic In The Air" Challenge Blog as Guest Designer for the month of November.  I am so excited because I love Paper Cupcakes Digital Images and have been playing along with their challenges on and off for a while now when time has permitted.

Today's Challenge is a White on White Challenge, where we want you to design a card/project that is all white except for your image which may be coloured.  All other elements such as Cardstock, Paper and Embellishments are to be white.

Here is my card for this challenge.  I have used the image "A Merry Little Christmas" from Paper Cupcakes.  Don't you just love this adorable snowman?  I do that's why I chose this image, aswell as needing to get a start on my Christmas Cards........lol. 

I have printed this cute image on gloss card and cut out around the design with my Circle Spellbinders. I than coloured using my Tria Markers and for extra dimension I have used green rhinestones for the snowman's buttons and leaves on his hat as well has cutting our a fringed piece for each of his sleeve cuffs.  The star he is holding is coloured with Gold Metallic Pen.

For the rest of the card I have layered my image over an embossed card background which is then layered on a textured white cardstock base.  I smooched my embossed design with Pearlescent White Ink and have punched out stars from White Shimmer Cardstock to add a bit of sparkle and shine, finishing off with some pearls, and White Tuelle Ribbon.

Be sure to visit the "There's Magic in the Air" Blog to see all the Design Team's Creations for this week's challenge which are sure to inspire you.  I can't wait to see who plays along with this one and am looking forward to all the challenges ahead this month and playing with the fabulous images from Paper Cupcakes.