The Pixie Cottage Challenge #85 - Back 2 School

It's another Once Upon a Wednesday at The Pixie Cottage and along with a great sketch we have the theme of Back To School!

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Fairytale Challenge - Back 2 School
Paper Play - Back 2 School
Stamp Something - Back 2 School
Allsorts - Back 2 School
Totally Papercrafts - Back 2 School
2 Sisters - Card for a Boy

Card Recipe:
Image - Udderley Adorable
Paper - The Grade School Stack by DCWV
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cut - Spellbinders
Sentiment - Me and My Big Ideas Soft Spoken
Apples - Jolees

This is our super sketch!

This was a pretty simple card for me and think it will be the perfect card for a little boy in my life that has just started Kindergarten :)
We hope you can come along and play with us this week at The Pixie Cottage
Katie

Cooking It Up #73 - Make a Pink, Blingy Sticker!

Over at my Cooking It Up With Katie challenge blog we have another fun recipe for you to try!

This weeks ingredients are:
Use Pink
Add some Bling
Include a Sticker!

Challenges:
Creative Card Crew - Anything Goes
Heartsong Inspirations - Anything Goes
Totally Gorjuss - Anything Goes
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Crop Stop - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Jellypark - Punches and/or Dies (2 entries only)

Card Recipe:
Image - Meljens
Paper and Sentiment - Watercolor Bouquet by K and Co
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cuts - Spellbinders
Flower - Prima
Glitter - Stickles
Rhinestones - Treasures by Shabby Chic
Ribbon - Whimsy Cottage

I added a little glitter to the flower to give it a little more sparkle and added rhinestones to the gorgeous die cut border.
This is a very easy challenge this week so I hope to see lots of you coming over to play with us at Cooking It Up With Katie!
Katie

A Spoon Full of Sugar - End of an Era Party

It's Tuesday so that means a new challenge at A Spoon Full of Sugar
It is very bittersweet though as this will be the last challenge.
After 3 years of challenges the owners no longer have the time to commit to running the blog. There is a lot of "behind the scenes" stuff involved with running a challenge (I know I run two) and so I'm sure that you can understand that after 3 years this was a huge decision for them and not one to be taken lightly.
I hope you will go over and play in this challenge and show your support.
The challenge is super easy, we want to see you "Party!"

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
The Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Jellypark - Punches and/or Dies (2 entries only)
Secret Crafter - In The Sea (something that lives in the sea)
Happileigh Scrapping - Birthday

Card Recipe:
Image - Shell-A-Bration set by Whimsie Doodles
Paper - My Minds Eye Lime Twist Life of the Party
Medium - Copic Markers
Shine - Liquid Embossing
Die Cuts - Spellbinders
Fabric Brads - K and Co
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Ribbon - Stash

So all though it is a sad goodbye to A Spoon Full of Sugar it isn't the end for the team as we are all in the blogging world with other things so you'll see us around.
Katie

Magnolia Monday #16 - Tilda's going Back 2 School!

It's another Monday so that means another Magnolia from me!
We did Back to School last week but I know many are still starting today and next week.
So in honor of all those new students I have Tilda going Back to School today!

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Magnolia Stamp Lovers - Primary Colors
Raise the Bar - Primary Colors
Totally Tilda - Back 2 School
Totally Papercrafts - Back 2 School
Fairytale Challenge - Back 2 School
Paper Play - Back 2 School
Stamp Something - Back 2 School
Allsorts - Back 2 School
7 Kids College Fund - School (and a stamp they carry)
Frosted Designs - School Papers (I used graphed paper)
Just Magnolia - Bingo! (I chose Embossing, Paper Piecing and Ribbon)
The Pink Elephant - Paper Piecing
Friday Mash Up - Sketch and Dry Embossing
Sew Many Cards - Edge Punch
Magnolia Down Under - Texture

Card Recipe:
Image - Tilda with Slate
Paper - Cherry Delicious by Sassafras
Medium - Copic Markers
Twine - The Twinery in Maraschino
Buttons - Stash
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Acrylic Letters - Joanns
Sentiment - Making Memories
Ribbon - Stash
Embossing Folder - Sizzix

I tried something a little different with Tilda today. There seems to be a little trend going on for people to be doing "no black line" stamping. I can't say that I will go as far as making them almost non existent but I used Memento in London Fog instead of Tuxedo Black to give it a try.
It makes it look more "pencil drawn" than stamped and it certainly does make it harder to get the definition in your coloring. But I may try it again and see.
I hope you can come along and link up your Magnolia Monday creation for me to see!
Katie

Guest Designer for Sparkles Christmas Card Challenge - Include a Photo

Today is my last card as a guest at Sparkles Christmas Card Challenges! This week we want to see you incorporate a photo on your card.
Mine is a very silly photo of my husband and my uncle from last Christmas. We went home to England for Christmas and my Mum bought them matching cardigan/jackets and so we had to take a funny photo for posterity!

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Crop Stop - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts
Tuesday Throwdown - Dimension and Texture
Crafts 4 Eternity - Christmas
Winter Wonderland - Trim a Tree

Card Recipe:
Paper - DCWV Handmade Christmas
Tree - Crafts Too Embossing Folder
Glitter - Stickles
Die Cuts - Spellbinders
Bows - Walmart

I embossed the green paper with the tree folder and then I cut it out.
I added Stickles in Gold, Green and Red to the areas on it to dress it up!
This card just makes me smile and I hope it makes you do too!
I've really this month as a guest at Sparkles Christmas Card Challenges and I now have 4 cards ready for Christmas!
Please come on over and link your card, remember the theme is always optional, we just want to help you make your Christmas cards!

Scor-Pal Blog Hop - Summer Themed Explosion with Tilda!

Edited to add: Picked in the Top Ten at Paper Crafting Journey THANKS!!!
Also made the Top Ten at Crop Stop! Thanks guys!!!

Today brings another chance to win great prizes as it is another Blog Hop with Scor-Pal! We are teaming up over the Summer with lots of companies (you may have seen The Twinery and Clearsnap hops earlier) to introduce the fabulous Scor-Pal to many crafters who may not have seen it before.

This hop has 11 different manufacturers and it started at Discount Cardstock so if you just dropped by and haven't been hopping then make sure you go there for all the blogs to hop to. It will be worth it to visit all 11 blogs as the grand prize is worth over $300!

Today I decided to make a Summer themed exploding box, perfect for a gift and also with lots of places to add special photos and memories.

For directions to make the box please go HERE.
I made mine a little larger and added some pockets inside and another box but you get the idea :)


Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Crop Stop - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
The Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Happileigh Scrappin - Girlie
My Time To Craft - Here Come The Girls
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts
Tuesday Throwdown - Dimension and Texture
Magnolia-Licious - Photo Inspiration (I chose the colors)

Project Recipe:
Images - Magnolia
Paper - The Blossom Song by DCWV
Medium - Copic Markers
Die Cuts - Spellbinders
Grass Die - Accucut
Tag and Mini Envelope Dies - Accucut
Sentiment (on tag) - K and Co
Sentiments (inside) - KI Memories
Ribbon - Stash
Brad - The Paper Studio
Flower - Prima

I made the flower on the top in a very similar style to the Octagon Flowers but I used the beaded circle Nestie instead of an Octagon as I liked the edge it gave to the flower. I used 3 die cuts to make this size. I added a Prima flower to the center.

This is what the box looks like opened. The center box was super easy and would perfect to stash a little gift in :)

Strawberry Tilda

Tilda with Spring Bundle

Tilda with Flowing Hair

Tilda with Water Can

This little tag comes out for a special message.

I love this little envelope!

I really hope you enjoyed this project and thanks for dropping by. Be sure to visit all the blogs and see the fabulous creations from the team members that are linked on each manufacturers post.

Cuddly Buddly #9 - Say Something Nice

It's a new challenge at the Cuddly Buddly Blog and this week it's team Cuddly and the theme is "Say Something Nice!".
And if you didn't already know we have opened up the challenge to all images so you don't have an excuse not to play, you may be our winner!
But if you do win with a Cuddly Buddly image then your prize is doubled!!!!

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Digi Doodles Shop - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Happileigh Scrappin - Girlie
Digital Tuesday - Cute and Girly
My Time To Craft - Here Come The Girls
Wags N Whiskers - Outdoor Fun

Card Recipe:
Images - Sitting Lily and Girls Club House
Sentiment - Printed
Medium - Copic Markers
Paper - Stella and Rose Hazel by My Minds Eye
Roses - Michaels $1 Spot
Pearls - Recollections
Border Punch - Martha Stewart

This was a super simple card as the image was large and I didn't think it should be too frou frou as Lily doesn't look too frilly to me! LOL
I hope you've enjoyed this and will come and share a sentiment or two with us this week over at Cuddly Buddly!
Katie

Digital Delights - May All Your Weeds Be Flowers!

Thursday means it's time for more great creations from the Design Team over at Digital Delights

Challenges
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Crazy 4 Challenges - Bingo! (I chose Square Card, Die Cut and 2 or more DP's)
Anything Goes - Inspired by Film or TV (Bill and Ben The Flowerpot Men!)
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts

Card Recipe:
Image - Flower Faces and Daisy Flowerpot
Paper - Stella and Rose Mabel by My Minds Eye
Medium - Copic Markers
Doily Die - French Pastry by Cheery Lynn Designs
Border Die - My Favorite Things
Pearls - The Paper Studio

I manipulated the flowerpot image a little to fit the space I had and I really love that option that you have with digital images.
Please make sure you drop by to see the other samples from the team!
Katie

Guest at Craft Us Crazy for The Pixie Cottage - Anything Goes

Today The Pixie Cottage are sponsoring the new challenge at Craft Us Crazy and they asked me to provide a card as a guest!
The challenge is "Anything Goes" so it is super easy and everyone can play along!

Challenges:
Crafting Life's Pieces - Sketch
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Speedy The Cats Friends - Emboss It!
Happileigh Scrappin - Girlie
Heartsong Inspirations - Shabby Chic or Pearls
Karens Doodles - Punches or Dies
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts

Card Recipe:
Image - Hannah by The Fence
Medium - Copic Markers
Lace Fabric - Joanns
Paper - Watercolor Bouquet by K and Co
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Corner Dies - Spellbinders Parisian
Sentiment - K and Co
Lace - Offray
Embossing Folder - Sizzix
Sunflowers - Jolees
Pearls - Recollections

I used some more of my lace fabric for the background and I'm still loving this technique!
I hope you can come along and play in the Anything Goes challenge at Craft Us Crazy!
Katie

The Pixie Cottage Challenge #84 - Summer Nights

It's another Once Upon A Wednesday at The Pixie Cottage and we have a super sketch and fabulous challenge for you.
The theme of the challenge is Summer Nights and so we want to see those stars, parties, fireflies, fireworks, anything from a wonderful Summer night.
Remember you can use of theme, our sketch or both to enter.

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Aud's Sentiments - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
The Poodles Parlour - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Allsorts - You've Been Framed
One Stitch At A Time - Bling It Up
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts

Card Recipe:
Image - Whispering Maisy and Matt
Medium - Copic Markers
Papers - Unknown
Die Cuts - Spellbinders
Sentiment - Cloud 9
Silver Cardstock - American Crafts
Star Punch - Hobby Lobby
Rhinestones - Michaels $1 Spot

Here is the fabulous sketch!

This is such a sweet and innocent image, reminds me of those special childhood friendships of years gone by.
I hope you will come over and play with us at The Pixie Cottage this week :)
Katie

Cooking It Up #72 - Wet the Border with Brads!

It's time for another recipe over at my Cooking It Up With Katie challenge blog.

The ingredients to include this week are:
Something Wet (could be something in the image or a wet technique like heat embossing or painting)
Add a Brad (or two or three)
Finish with a Border

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
By The Cute and Girly - The Sea (1 entry only)
Fresh Brewed Monthly Challenge - Hot
Card Mad Fairy - Buttons
Sew Many Cards - Summertime
Stamp with Fun - Summer
Victorine Originals - Summer
Stampin For The Weekend - Holidays (Summer)
Anything Goes - Inspired by Film or TV (Wish You Were Here, my UK friends remember the Judith Chalmers show?)
Wags N Whiskers - Outdoor Fun
4 Crafty Chicks - Metal
Crazy 4 Challenges - Bingo! (I chose Square Card, Die Cut and 2 or more DP's)
One Stop Crafts - Bold and Bright
Card Makin Mamas - Pink
Kaboodle Doodles - Ribbon
Papertake Weekly - Die Cuts

Card Recipe:
Image - Stamping Dragon
Medium - Copic Markers
Paper - Beach Bum by Fancy Pants
Brads - The Paper Studio
Buttons - Stash
Die Cut - Spellbinders
Sentiment - Pink Gem

I'd really love to be sitting on a beach right now, now that school has started back I feel I need a vacation to relax after the Summer break! LOL
If you feel like Cooking Up A Card then please come and join us at Cooking It Up With Katie
Katie

Scor-Pal/Clearsnap Blog Hop

Welcome to my stop on the Clearsnap and Scor-Pal Summer Fun Blog Hop 2011!!

You should have arrived here from Daniela's blog, if not be sure to go back to the start at Clearsnap so you don't miss a single spot on the hop!

Our lovely Design Teams have created some wonderful summer fun projects with
the Scor-Pal, brimming with inspiration and of course lots of Clearsnap inks! Visit each Design Team member's blog to see what inspiring projects they have to share. Leave a comment on each blog. We'll choose one winner from all of the comments posted to receive a prize pack from Clearsnap and
another from Scor-Pal.

For my Summer Themed project I chose to make a mini recipe box and offset gatefold card to save all those fabulous recipes you've collected over the Summer.
It would also be the perfect gift for a Blue Ribbon Winner at a County Fair!
As always I have a few challenges linked as well.

Challenges
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Aud's Sentiments - Anything Goes
Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes (3 entries only)
Crop Stop - Pearls (3 entries only)
Hanna and Friends - In The Kitchen
Happileigh Scrappin - Girlie

I used the following tutorial for a Mini Recipe box and added a handle.

Project Recipe:
Images - Tilda with Rolling Pin and Tilda Baking Cookies
Cooking Stamps - Stamps by Judith
Paper - K and Co Watercolor Bouquet
Medium - Copic Markers
Ink - Colorbox Espresso
Smooch Spritz - Vanilla Sugar, Cashmere and Ginger Ale
Flower - Wild Orchid Crafts
Border Punch - Martha Stewart
Stickers - Crafty Secrets
Pearls - Recollections
Ribbon - Unknown

I used the soft Espresso ink to stamp the little kitchen jars, the perfect color, not too harsh but clear and crisp.

The card is a super simple gate fold but just slightly offset so one "gate" folds over the other. I really like the versatility of this fold, you can make it just how you want it and very easily with the Scor-Pal.

I layered the Smooch Spritz's on the flower, giving a wonderful depth, lots of shimmer and the perfect color for my project.

Now you've seen my little project be sure to HOP ON OVER to Charlotte's blog to carry on with the fun!
Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to leave a comment!
Katie

Magnolia Monday #15 - It's Your Fault :)

Big day in this house.
It's Back to School and this year it's all 3 children going.
Nate is starting High School and is worried he'll get lost. Georgia is going into 7th Grade and is sad that she doesn't have any classes with her friends and she can't even eat lunch with them as she is in Symphonic Band which means she eats with the 8th Graders. And Carter is going into Kindergarten and it means Mummy is at home all alone :( Early morning cuddles in bed and lounging in the PJ's will have to wait until weekends and will be replaced with lunchboxes, lost homework, pumping up bikes tires and making sure Nate gets on the bus. All my babies are stepping out and making their way in the world and this Mama Bird knows they need to stretch their wings and fly even if she has tears in her eyes :(

But I'll get used to it and maybe I'll finally have the clean house I've been looking for all Summer and all those chores that need doing but aren't urgent (cleaning out too small clothes from closets, moving furniture to vacuum the dust bunnies, recycling a years worth of magazines etc) will get on to the "to do list".

Plus I can craft when I like (chores pushed aside again maybe ;)) and there will be other things to fill my day.

Anyway on to the reason you're here, it's time for another Magnolia Monday and I can believe I'm on week 15 of my mission! LOL I think you'll like this weeks as Tilda is feeling a little sassy :)

Challenges:
AI Factory - Anything Goes
Digi's With Attitude - Anything Goes
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything Goes
Thrilling Thursday - Anything Goes
Aud's Sentiments - Anything Goes
Totally Tilda - Fit For A Princess
Corrosive - Girlie
House of Gilli - Sketch
Through the Craftroom Door - 2 Punches and Yellow
Marianne Design Diva's - Anything Marianne D (used a die)
Fussy and Fancy - Use a Lot (3 or more of your favorite embellishment)
Crop Stop - Pearls (3 entries only)
Just Magnolia - Funny Sentiments
Papertake Weekly - Bingo! ( I chose Free, Pearls and Blooms)
Crazy 4 Challenges - Bingo! (I chose Square Card, Die Cuts and 2 or more DP's)
Crafty Anns - Scallops or Fancy Borders
Magnolia Down Under - Butterfly
Flutterby - Punches and/or Dies (with an Angel, Butterfly or Fairy)

Card Recipe:
Image - Princess Tilda
Paper - Spring Blossom by K and Co
Medium - Copic Markers
Sentiment - 7 Gypsies
Border Die - Marianne D
Daisy and Butterfly Punch - Martha Stewart
Pearls - The Paper Studio and Recollections

I just loved this sentiment and it really made me laugh, just what I needed today.
I hope you've enjoyed this and I'm sending hugs to all the Mommies sending off their offspring to school and college, no matter how young or old, how easy or hard it seems, I've got your back and I know you have mine.

If you have a Magnolia card on your blog today please link it below and I'll come and visit and hope you visit the others linked too, nothing like a little Maggie love to bring a smile through the tears.

Katie