Pink Paper Paradise

Another request

2012-02-08T21:50:00.001+10:00

Here we are end of the first week of February already!! Never mind Valentines, the shops are full of Easter already!! What is with that? Mind you, I don't mind too much as I'm a bit partial to the odd hot cross bun and secretly wish they would sell them all year long.

I have been busy this week, with a request for some cards from a lady I work with. She was after some cards without any sentiment so that they could be used for any occassion.

It's funny really, maybe it's just me, but I always struggle with where to put the sentiment on a card, I find it tricky to place it just right. So I thought that making cards without a sentiment would be a breeze! Well, I think it is even harder!

That said, I am pretty happy with this card.

Image is "Friends 24-7" from Stampin' Up! inked using Stampin' Up Chocolate Chip.

Cardstock is also Chocolate Chip.

I embossed the whole image panel with the "Square Lattice" embossing folder also from SU.

Papers are from My Minds Eye

Flowers were created using the same papers and Spellbinders "Rose Creations" die.

I gave the whole card a spritz of glimmer mist.

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

I hope you are all having a great week!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Pin It

MIM #75 with Bugaboo Stamps

2012-02-06T10:00:00.003+10:00

Hi, how are you? Did you have a good weekend?

Ours was quiet, wet and windy. We managed to get a few quick swims in the pool between downpours though. I see that we had our first Cyclone for the season too over the weekend, thankfully it was heading out to sea!

I had a request from a lady I work with for some cards without sentiments so I have been working on those and will hopefully share them with you over the coming days.

Today though I am here to remind you that it is linky party time again over at Make It Monday.

Over 200 entries linked up again last week!!

Did you know you can go back and view all the entries for previous weeks as you scroll back through the MIM blog? So if you are looking to entice your Mojo back from where ever it has decided to vacation off to then MIM is a brilliant place to start. There is an endless supply of inspiration with a variety of styles and projects to get you out of your crafting rut.

This week I have created a card using a wonderful image from our sponsor, Bugaboo Stamps, called Bobblehead Cow.

I love this sweet little cow!!

I knew what I wanted to create as soon as I saw this image and set about trying to create the mulitple images in paint.net but had heaps of trouble as it's been so long since I have used the program I have completely forgotten how to merge images.

So I settled on just printing two of them and then added a third one to the center.

Sentiment is computer generated.

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

Make It Monday linky party #75 is now open.

We are very excited to have again one of newer sponsors Bugaboo Stamps! Everyone loves these fun and sweet digis!

http://www.bugaboostamps.com/

Everything That You Ever Wanted to Know About Bugaboo Stamps: A Short Essay

As if raising five children in the frozen land of the North was not enough of a challenge, Jodie Mackrell decided to dip her cold little Canadian toes into the world of papercrafting by opening an online store full of her illustrations. That was two years ago. Today Bugaboo Stamps is one of the leading companies in digital images, and we're still growing! From seriously snarky to sugary sweet to sublimely soulful all the way over to the other side of the super sexy spectrum, you're bound to find all that you need and more to create your paper projects. Jodie works very hard to provide New Releases and Freebies every week!

If your taste runs to rubber (and you know who you are), you can find Bugaboo Stamps atTotally Stampalicious. And finally, join the Bugaboo Stamps DT for weekly challenges at Catch the Bug.

Another great easy way to bring attention to your blog /posts – add the below htlm code to your post, to allow people to “pin” you on the web for 1,000’s to see and share!

Bugaboo Stamps are offering a very generous prize of winner's choice of 7 single digis!

To be in with a chance to win this prize all you need to do is comment on one of the entries in this week's Make it Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw them on MIM. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Head on over now and check out the amazing cards the talented Design Team have created to share with you this week.

Now, here's the hard part..........

Choosing just one entry from last week to feature as my favourite.

But after careful consideration (a long time spent agonising over just which one to choose,lol) I decided to feature this beautiful photo frame by

Lovely Linda

Isn't it sweet?

Thank you for sharing with us Linda. Your frame is absolutely beautiful.

Please hop on over to Linda's blog and let her know you saw here here.

Ok now, come and join us over at Make It Monday this week and share you creations with us too.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

A special request

2012-02-03T21:46:00.001+10:00

Hi!

Well, here I am, back for the third time this week! Now I'm just being an over achiever, lol!

I had special request from a friend this week to make a 60th birthday card for her Mum. So here I am today to share what I came up with for her.

I used one of my new favourite stamp sets that I got from my Mum recently called Notably Ornate from Stampin' Up!

The papers are from the Prima 6x6 paper stack called Melody Collection. I used Chocolate Chip ink (SU) to distress the edges.

I used Chocolate Chip cardstock (SU) for the the card base and also for the numbers and swirls.

The numbers are from a Sizzlits Die called Timeless Type and Alphabet Jr and the swirls are from a Sizzix Die called Scribbles Swirls that my friend Shannean gave me as she had two of them. Thanks Shannean!!

Faux stitching is drawn with a Chocolate Chip Stampin' Up! Marker.

I gave the whole card a spritz of glimmer mist just to snaz it up a bit.

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

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Don't forget that the Make It Monday linky party is currently open. Come on over and check out all the amazing entries linked up so far and share with us what you have been creating.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Summer By The Sea

2012-01-31T22:32:00.005+10:00

Hi!

Here I am posting again this week, doesn't happen often (certainly not as often as I would like).

I had a great day today catching up with some wonderful crafting friends that I haven't seen for a couple of months due to the recent school holidays.

I usually pack a tub full of papers and images to work on but today I forgot my images and had to think on the spot and come up with something using a stamp set I borrowed from my friend. There is something about getting together as a group to craft that really does get the creative ideas flowing.

My friend Shannean is a SU demonstator and has a fabulous collection of stamps sets that I set about pawing through till I found one that inspired me.

It's an old stamp set called "Summer By The Sea" from way back in 2004.

Papers (which I think are retired now) are also from Stampin' Up! called Elegant Soiree.

Cardstock is Soft Suede from Stampin' Up!

Image and sentiment have been stamped with Stampin' Up! Soft Suede ink on to Very Vanilla carstock and distressed with the Soft Suede ink.

(sentiment reads "Joy is not in things, it is in us.")

I created the flower using the same paper and distressing the edges of the petals with the Soft Suede ink too.

I'm not sure if you can pick it up in the photo but the whole card has been spritzed with a homemade shimmer mix made by Shannean.

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

The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Romance is in the Air
Card Makin Mamas - Something Old
Simply Create Too - Love Is In The Air
Wags 'n Whiskers Stamps - Valentiens/Love
Paper Creations Ink - Love/Romance

Thank you for stopping by today!!

Michelle :o)

MIM #74 with Di's Digi Downloads

2012-01-30T10:00:00.007+10:00

(Photo Heavy Post)

Hi, nice to have you stop by today.

I hope your weather is either warming up or cooling down depending on where you live.

Here in Australia it has been a real scorcher this week. I reckon there were quite a few unfortunate souls doing their best lobster impersonations at BBQ's around the country on Australia Day.

It's been a very busy week for me with my return to work and my boys back at school after our summer school holidays. A couple of days spent preparing our house for inspection, but sadly no offer to buy it.

I had hoped to get crafty in the evenings but just felt too exhausted with all that and the heat too.

But I did at least get my card made for this weeks

MAKE IT MONDAY LINKY PARTY #74

I've been getting in to the romantic spirit with Valentines Day fast approaching and I have to say I am pretty pleased with the card that I made.

The card is made using two stamps sets from Stampin' Up! called A Rose Is A Rose and Notably Ornate.

Papers are also from Stampin' Up!

I inked around the edges of the flourished frame with Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

The roses and leaves are created using a two step process. For the roses I stamped first in Riding Hood Red and then in Memento Tuxedo Black and for the leaves I used Old Olive and Memento Tuxedo Black.

For the inside of the card I created the frame by stamping just the edge of the Notably Ornate flourish frame around the edges and also the bud of the roses. Again I used a dauber to just very lightly ink around the edges with the Tuxedo Black ink.

I have to be honest and say I am really happy with how this card ended up. I had no idea in the beginning what I was going to create and this just sort of evolved. I did end up getting a bit carried away in the end and even stamped the envelope.

Ok that's enough of my card, lol!!

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

Simply Create Too - Love Is In the Air

Wags 'n Whiskers - Valentines/Love

Paper Creations Ink - Love/Romance

Did you happen to get the chance to check out last week's Make It Monday linky party? Wow, there were so many amazing entries linked up, 236 to be exact. That is some serious inspiration, let me tell you!

This week's Make It Monday linky party #74 is now open.

Our sponsor this week is the wonderful

Store

They are offering a fabulous prize this week of a $10 gift voucher.

Head on over now and check out the amazing cards the talented Design Team have created to share with you this week.

Now, here's the hard part..........

Choosing just one entry from last week to feature as my favourite.

Well I know this lady was chosen as our featured blogger over at MIM this week too but I really just couldn't go past her amazing layout.

Celeste from Gerogirl The Paper Princess

created this absolute stunner

I mean seriously, look at those beautiful hand made flowers!

Head on over to Celeste's blog to see them in more detail.

Thank you for sharing with us Celeste.

Come on, join us this week for another fun linky party. Take a tour around the amazing blogs that link up and share you latest creation with us too. You can even share an older post with us if you like. Maybe you have an all time favourite you would like to shed some light on once again.

See you there!

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #73 with Cupcake Cards and Craft

2012-01-23T10:00:00.001+10:00

Hi

Well, that last six weeks certainly zipped past pretty quick!!

My boys are back at school today after six weeks school holidays. We had a wonderful time just doing nothing in particular. That is just the best part isn't it? Just taking each day as it comes, no rush to be anywhere or do anything. And truth be told not having to wash drink bottles and make packed lunches is a pretty good holiday to me, lol.

I didn't get to craft much with the boys home but I did manage to make this card for this week's Make It Monday linky party which is open now.

It uses an old SU stamp set and papers.

The rose is coloured with Copics

R20, R22, R24, R27, R29 and R46 (if I remember correctly)

Our sponsor this week over at Make It Monday is the lovely Mandy at

Cupcake Cards &Crafts

http://www.cupcakecardcraft.co.uk/

The wonderful prize this week is £5 worth of paper collections in downloadable form!

If your mojo has taken some extended leave you really should stop by and check out the weekly Make It Monday linky parties. There is a huge variety of creations and styles that are shared each week and the inspiration is just endless!

Of course the tough part for me is having to choose just one entry from last week to feature on my blog today. Again I was having loads of trouble viewing many of the entries because of the blogger issues (I really should just bite the bullet and try Google Chrome as some say that seems to fix the problem) but from the fabulous entries I was able to visit this one really stood out for me.

Created by

Sharon at Colouring For Pleasure

Thank you for sharing this with us at Make It Monday Sharon, it is just gorgeous. Such a sweet image and I love her pretty little outfit too.

Make It Monday #73 is now open.

Head on over and check out what the fabulously talented design team have created for you this week.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Making good on New Year's resolutions

2012-01-18T23:19:00.001+10:00

Happy Wednesday to you, hope you are all well.

Today was my first day back at work after having five weeks at home with my boys during school holidays (BLISS!). It was nice though being back at work, catching up with everyone and hearing about what the got up to over the holidays.

I have been going really well on my New Year's resolutions, how about you?

I decided to focus this year on losing weight, eating healthy, posting more often on my blog, creating more masculine cards and to start using some of the fabulous stamp sets I have gathering dust in my craft room.

So far so good!! I'm down almost 4kg in the last five weeks and I am posting for the third time this week and with a masculine card too!! So all in all I reckon I'm doing pretty good, lol.

My card tonight uses an old Stampin' Up! set that my Mum sent me ages ago called "For Father" pretty sure it is retired now.

Papers are also from Stampin' Up! called "Well Worn".

I don't know about you, but I find creating masculine cards really difficult. They never seem finished to me and always look terribly plain. I guess its the lack of pearls and flowers, lol.

Hopefully I will be back again soon with another card to share with you this week.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #72 with Meljen's Designs

2012-01-16T10:00:00.001+10:00

Hi !

Always good to have you call in.

It's been a really frustrating week in blogland this week hasn't it? Or was it just me? Blogger seems to have been having a whole world of trouble and I'm not sure it has completely cleared up yet either.

It was good to see though that you were all back in your full creative swing, with over 200 fabulous entries to the Make It Monday challenge last week!! What a shame I was not able to visit very many of you (Grrrr...blogger!)

Let's hope things are better this week as I am so excited about our new sponsor for this week's Make It Monday linky Party #72.

Meljen's Designs

I created by card this week using the incredibly sweet "Cuddle Cloud Baby" image.

If you think this image is adorable then you really need to check out the rest of the fabulous images available over at Meljen's Designs.

I managed to restrain myself and use just a little bit of glitter (spica pen) on the cloud, hearts and stars. I have used a Nestabilities circle, scollop circle and the Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder to create the image panel.

Sentiment tags are made using Stampin' Up! Jewelry Tag punch and Teeny Tiny Sentiments.

Papers are from Stampin' Up but I think they are discontinued now and ribbon is made up of pieces from my stash.

Our fabulous sponsor for this week's Make It Monday linky Party is the every popular

Meljen's Designs

http://shop.meljensdesigns.com/

and they are generously offering a lovely prize of the winner's choice of 4 single digis!

How Awesome is that?!

To be in with a chance to win this week's fabulous prize, all you have to do is leave a comment for another entrant in the Make It Monday linky Party #72. Be sure to mention you saw them on MIM. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!!

The Make It Monday linky party is now open and the fabulously talented Design Team have created some positively gorgeous cards to help get the party started!!

Before you head on over please check out my favourite entry from last week.

I wasn't able to visit very many of then entries, but of the ones I could visit this one really stood out for me.

Created by

Tracy from I Wanna Build A Memory

Seriously?! Isn't it just the most stunningly beautiful card EVER?!

Tracy, I absolutly LOVE IT! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Make It Monday this week.

I hope you will all head on over to Tracy's Blog and say hi and let her know you saw her here.

Thank you for stopping by today.

I look forward to coming to visit you and seeing what you have been creating.

Michelle :o)

Annabelle Stamps Exciting New Release!!

2012-01-14T13:24:00.000+10:00

Wow, I know, don't fall off your chair!

Two posts from me in one week, this will send shock waves around the world, lol.

But I just had to pop in and let you know that the super talented Andrea from Annabelle Stamps has released a brand new set of stamps that you just have to check out.

I am thrilled because included in this exciting new release is a new set for my most favourite Lil Monster

There are so many others that you will absolutely be adding to your must have list.

And to kick off this exciting new release Andrea is generously offering a little something extra when you place an order.

Head on over to Annabelle Stamps for the full details.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #71 with Bugaboo Stamps

2012-01-09T10:08:00.004+10:00

Hi, nice to see you here again.

I'm kind of 50/50 with my New Year's resolutions, how about you? So far I am on track with my goal to exercise and lose weight this year but as far as my posting more regularly on my blog.............not so good, lol.

Still it's early days yet, there is still hope.

The weather has been brilliant (quite unusual for us this time of year) and I have been spending loads of time with the boys in pool and not so much time creating. I did get to make a quick card for this week's Make It Monday linky party though.

I have to admit to being quite excited about the new sponsor we have this week. We are lucky enough to have BUGABOO STAMPS sponsoring us!!

Bugaboo Stamps is one of the most recognisable names in digi stamps and I had so much fun using this fun image called "Gus Birthday Optional" for my card.

This is my first attempt at a step card.

Took me a few goes to figure it out (still not sure I got it completely right). Of course I could have googled for a tutorial, but where's the fun in that, lol.

Just love the sentiment, dont you? This is so perfect for my Dad.

Supplies list:

Designer Series Paper - Stampin Up! Well Worn

Cardstock - Stampin Up! Not Quite Navy

Buttons - Stampin Up - Nuetrals

Copics Used:

Skin - E000, E00 and E11

Hair - N0, N1 and N3

Hat - B21, B24 and B26

Shirt - YR61, YR63 and YR 65

Shorts - YG91, YG93 and YG95

Scooter - R22, R24, R27 and R29

Ground - C1, C3 and C5

Shading - B0000, B000 and B00

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

Dare to be Sassy - something new (patterned paper & Image)

Cute Card Thursday - something new (patterned paper & image)

Little Miss Muffet - something new (patterned paper & image)

Card Makin' Mamas - something new (patterned paper & image)

Crafty Emma's Store - anything goes

Catered Crop - Buttons

Creative Inspirations - Something Old (old man image)

Dream Valley Challenges - Anything Goes

Squirrel and the Fox - Something New (image and papers)

The Make It Monday #71 Linky Party is now open.

As I mentioned before we are sponsored this week by the awesome

Store

Catch the bug Challenge blog

And they are offering a very generous prize of winner's choice of 7 single digis!

To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize all you need to do is leave a comment for an entry in the Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw them on MIM. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!!

The fabulously talented MIM Design Team and created some awesome cards this week to get you all inspired to join in the fun, so head on over to Make It Monday and check them out!

Before you go though have a look at the entry I chose as my favourite from last week's linky party.

There were so many to choose from and it is a hard ask each week to pick a favourite but in the end I couldn't go past this one from

Frea

Isn't it just so beautiful?!!

You can see more photos of this gorgeous creation here.

Thank you for sharing with us Frea.

Now go on, head on over to Make It Monday and get your daily dose of inspiraiton. I can't wait to come over and see what you are sharing this week!

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

MIM #70 with Digi My World

2012-01-02T10:00:00.005+10:00

Happy New Year!!

Wow here it is 2012, hard to believe!

We are still enjoying our summer school holidays with three more weeks to go. The weather has been pretty good considering this is our tropical wet season. Let's hope that it continues and that we don't see a repeat of last year's devastating floods.

I have found a little time this week (while the boys have been occupied with their newly aquired lego, thanks granddad!) to get my card made for this week's Make It Monday linky party.

Make it Monday's first linky party for 2012 is now open.

There were still an amazing number of entries for last week's link up considering the Christmas/New Year holidays. Please see my favourite pick at the end of this post.

For my card this week I have used an image from our sponsor Digi My World called Sk8r Boy

This is such a fun image to colour and just perfect for any young boy.

Papers I have used are from Stampin Up! (Thanks Mum for my awesome pressie!)

DSP - Well Worn - SU

Cardstock - Not Quite Navey and Very Vanilla - SU

Sentiment - So Happy For You - SU

Image is coloured with the following Copics

SKIN - E000, E00 and E21

PROTECTIVE HELMET AND PADS - B91, B93, B95 and B97

HAIR - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

SHIRT& SHOES - YG91, YG93 and YG95

SHORTS AND SHOES - E30, E31, E33 and E35

CONCRETE RAMP - N0, N1, N3 and N5

Image was printed on Express It blending cardstock and as this is a very stark white I wanted it to blend in more with the tones of the DSP so I used my E50 Copic marker to shade around the image to make it look a little more like it was printed on the Very Vanilla cardstock.

I am linking my card up to the following challenges

One Stitch At A Time - Use A Digi

Sentimental Sundays - Anything Goes (must have a sentiment)

This week we are delighted to have a brand new sponsor Digi My World! The wonderful artist and owner Annie is offering the prize of a $10 gift certificate to spend in the store! And they are in sale at the moment so you may want to pay the store a visit! ;)

To be in the running to win this fabulous prize all you need to do is leave a comment for another entrant in this week's Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw them at MIM. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!

Ok now, let me share with you my favourite pick from last week's Make It Monday linky party.

It had to be this adorable Christmas card by Marjorie

I just love this cute little bear and Marjorie's colouring really brings him to life.

Thanks for sharing with us Marjorie.

If you would like to see a whole heap more inspiration, head on over now to Make It Monday and check out what my super talented teamies have whipped up for you this week.

You have a whole week to link up and I can't wait to see what you've made!

Even if you don't have a new creation to share this week, don't forget you can revive an old post from way back and share an old favourite with us.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #69 with Di's Digi Downloads

2011-12-26T10:00:00.004+10:00

Hi, how are you?

Did you survive the Christmas craziness with your sanity in tact??

Chaos reigned supreme in my house but I wouldn't have it any other way. I just know that the days of my boys being caught up in the magic of the twinkling Christmas lights are numbered so I am more than fine with being woken up at just after midnight by my middle son (seven) who is TOTALLY sure that Santa woke him up when he sat on his bed to fill his stocking.

My eldest son (now eight and a half) mentioned just before falling asleep on Christmas Eve that he remembered that last year he thought it quite interesting that the gifts from Santa had been wrapped in the same wrapping paper as the gifts from his Dad and I..........hmmm mental note to self to remember that next year!

How will I spend my Christmas Eve in the future when I don't have to put out the "magic" key and fill a glass with milk to place beside the cookies and carrots and write that letter from Santa? I choose not to think to much about it now but instead draw every inch of love and happiness from the moments now.

Well, enough of my sentimental mushiness, lol, and on to the reason for my post today!!

Even with the fesitive season mayhem so many of you still managed to find a little creating time and shared your beautiful creations with us over at Make It Monday this week.

It has been so much fun these past few weeks seeing all the fabulous Christmas creations. But I must admit with this week's Make It Monday linky party now open, I am really looking forward to seeing more of the non seasonal projects you can come up with.

I found a little time to create a card this week to share with you using an adorable image from our sponsor this week.

Image is called "Birthday Rascal"

isn't it just adorable?! I'm a sucker for a cute image, I can't deny!

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

Scrappy Frog Challenges - Stitching

Marks Finest Papers - Anything Goes

Secret Crafter - Anything Goes

Hotshot Craft - Easle Card

This week's Make It Monday linky party is sponsored by the fabulous

Di's Digi Downloads

and they are offering a $10 voucher to the winning commenter this week.

To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize all you need to do is leave a comment for another entrant letting them know you saw them on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Each week the MIM Design Team choose their favourite entry to feature on their blogs. Let me tell you, this is so much harder than it sounds. When you think we have a couple of hundred entries each week it is pretty hard to narrow your choice down to just one!!

For me this week, it had to be

This amazing Christmas Lantern by Loz

Wow Loz, this is absolutely STUNNING!

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Please head on over to Loz's blog to see it in more detail.

Ok everyone, now let's see what you have to share with us this week. The Make It Monday linky party is now open. My incredibly talented teamies have shared some gorgeous cards this week to help get you all inspired. Hope on over to Make It Monday now and take a peek and then get creating!! You have a whole week to link up and I can't wait to see what you've made!

Even if you don't have a new creation to share this week, don't forget you can revive an old post from way back and share an old favourite with us.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #68 with Crafty Emma's Store

2011-12-19T10:00:00.001+10:00

Well hello there!

Long time no post hey!

I'm sorry about that and I have really missed being creative too. But I'm sure you all know how it is when life just seems to get in the way.

It is the end of year school holidays here in Australia now, so my boys are on six weeks holiday and that is keeping me pretty busy to say the least.

I'm popping in today because a new Make It Monday linky party starts today and I actually have something to share this week, yay!

A few weeks ago I was madly making up dozens of gifts for my son's teachers and teacher aids and some for the lovely ladies that I work with in the school office.

I had almost given them all out when I suddenly realised I hadn't taken any photos of them, eek! Luckily I had a couple left and I quickly snapped a few shots so that I could share them with you this week.

I made a whole swag of these refillable (has a flip top lid) coffee bag dispensers. They are so quick and easy to make.

Ok now, you've seen what I'm sharing for Make It Monday this week, let me see what you have been busy making.

This week's MIM linky party is sponsored by the lovely Emma from

Crafty Emma's Store

and she is generously offering a £10 voucher to her store.

The incredibly talented girls on the MIM design team have created some gorgeous cards to help get you all inspired this week and you should definitely head on over and check them out, but before you go let me share with you my favourite entry from last week's linky party.

It has to be this fabulously fun card from

Kerry

I love the fun image and the pretty colour combo!!

Thanks for sharing with us Kerry!

Please head on over to Kerry's blog and let her know you saw her here!

So come on, share your paper creations with us over at Make It Monday this week! New or old it doesn't matter. It's all about sharing the inspiration and making some new blogging friends along the way.

Happy Holidays!!

Michelle :o)

Winner - My Memories free software give away.

2011-12-18T12:14:00.000+10:00

Sorry I have been away from my bog so much lately and I am late getting back to you with the winner of my My Memories free software give away too!!

So with out any more delay here is the winner

Scrapalajen aka Jennyfer

Congratulations Jennyfer I will be in touch with you soon to let you know how to claim your prize.

Happy Holidays

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #63 with Pollycraft

2011-11-14T10:00:00.001+10:00

Another week down and and just that bit closer to Christmas!!

So far I have made no Christmas cards and there has been no Christmas shopping done, so it would seem I am on track to continue my usual pre Christmas routine of pulling my hair out and cursing my lack of organisation skills a week out from Christmas, lol.

It has been a great week though apart from the annoying cold I have picked up. I had lots of fun checking out the hundreds of entries linked up to Make It Monday last week!! You guys just continue to wow the MIM design team with your awesome creations.

Speaking of the MIM Design Team we now have a new member

Karen

We are so thrilled that Karen has agreed to join our team. She has been a regular participant in the MIM linky parties for a while now and is just the sweetest, friendliest lady EVER! Not to mention super talented too, so she will be sharing her creations each week to help get you all inspired

Please join us in welcoming Karen to the team and pop by her blog to say hi.

This week's Make It Monday #63 is now open

For my card this week I have used this fun Monster image from our sponsor called "Fluffy"

Our wonderful sponsor this week is

http://pollycraft.co.uk/

and they are generously offering this week's winner five digi's of their choice!

To be in with a chance to win this week's fab prize all you need to do is leave a comment for one or more of the entries this week and let them know you saw their creation on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!

Now on to the hard part each week...........choosing my favourite entry

This week I chose

This beautiful easle card from Dorcas

The colouring is just amazing, don't you think?

Thanks for sharing with us Dorcas!

Thanks for coming by today. I look forward to seeing what you create this week.

Michelle :o)

My first Digi Scrapbook Page and a GIVEAWAY

2011-11-11T22:06:00.000+10:00

Hi, how's things?

This is a long post but if you make it to the end there is a fabulous giveaway !!

I don't know about where you are, but here in Queensland Australia we are on countdown to the end of our school year. My boys have exactly 20 more school days to go, not that any ones counting, LOL.

Oh the bliss, six weeks of freedom to sleep in, lounge around in our Jim Jams all morning and basically just go with the flow.

One thing I am planning on doing during these upcoming holidays is to spend a little time experimenting with a new Digital Scrapbooking Software I have come across.

My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software

Now even though when I first ventured in to paper crafting a couple of years ago, the idea was that I was going to make some scrapbook albums (paper ones) and so far to date I have made the grand total of ....

O pages

Nil, None, Nada, not a single one, lol. I guess it is because I could never quite figure out what theme I wanted or find just the right embellishments etc and truth be told I am an instant gratification kind of girl which is why card making became my thing.

This is why I was so excited to come across this fabulous Digital Scrapbooking software from My Memories.

I mean take a look at what I was able to put together in half an hour on my very first attempt!!

I am thrilled with this!!

It was so easy to use. There are hundreds of page layout templates, embellishments and background papers.

The easy-to-use features for creating or editing albums from templates or from scratch make this software an absolute breeze to use. And it is not just limited to scrapbook pages either, you can create cards,invitations, calendars, photo books etc, you are only limited by your imagination.

Loads of templates to get you started

even free ones!!

Me being a jump right in at the deep end kind of girl (well, not really as I can't swim properly but you know what I mean) I decided that I didn't want to use a page layout template, rather I would just go right ahead and create something from scratch.

It really was so very simple to use and I could of kept playing and creating way in to the wee small hours.

Ok, I know, you want to know about the giveaway now!!

Well here it is......

One lucky Pink Paper Paradise reader, chosen by random selection, will win the My Memories Suite Scrapbook Software! You read it right, it will be all yours FOR FREE!
Here is the how to........ you get an entry in to the draw for each of the steps
1. Follow my blog

2. Go to My Memories website and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout. Come back here and leave a comment which should include your name, email address and name of your favourite digital paper pack or layout.
3. Follow My Memories on Twitter here

4. Like the My Memories Facebook page found here

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each of these steps as you have done them so you get extra chances to win.

Winner will be drawn on 16th December.

For those of you who are instant gratification people like myself

*My Memories is giving a $10 discount on their My Memories Suite Digital Scrapbooking Software to Pink Paper Paradise Readers!!*

If you want to buy the software now, you can get it at a discounted price. My Memories is giving a $10 discount on their My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software to readers of Pink Paper Paradise!
Simply enter the code below (copy and paste it) upon check out to receive the discount:

STMMMS82705

I will be back during the course of this giveaway with more fabulous ways to use the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #62 - with Annabelle Stamps

2011-11-07T10:00:00.014+10:00

Hello, how are you?

Are you feeling all bright eyed and bushy tailed on this Monday morning? Full of get up and go and ready to face the week ahead?

No.......me either, lol! But a good strong coffee (from the fab new coffee machine my parents bought my Hubby for his birthday) and I shall be right to go!

Actually my problem might just be a little too much of that fab coffee, lol. The novelty of making cafe style cappachinos hasn't quite worn off yet and I discovered that drinking them at 10pm keeps me going till around 1am!! Gee, who knew hey, LOL!

Still wasn't all bad, managed to visit quite a few of the amazing blogs linked up to Make It Monday last week while the rest of my family slumbered peacefully. Over 250 lovely creations were linked up last week, how awesome is that ?! I do hope you manged to visit a few of them.

This weeks Linky Party is now open and I found a little time over the weekend to create this cute little boy's birthday card to share with you today .

Perfect for any little Harry Potter fan don't you think?

I have coloured this image with Copics and used my Spica pens to add a little shimmer to the starts on the hat and coat as well as the wand and chrystal ball.

I am linking my card to the following challenges:

One Stitch At A Time - Use A Digi
Color Me Creative Classroom - Boys Boys Boys
CES challenges - Song or Film (I'm going for the Harry Potter films)
Paper Craft Journey - Use A Digi

Out of all the fabulous creations linked up last week I had to try to choose just one to feature here on my blog this week. Talk about a tough ask!

It took a while I can tell you, but in the end I couldn't go past this entry from

Quilling by Manuk

Absolutely incredible don't you think? The time this must have taken!

I need to get me some of the patience that is required to create this piece of art.

Thank you Manuk for sharing this with us. I do hope we get to see more of you amazing creations.

Make It Monday #62 is now open

This week we are sponsored by the fabulously talented Andrea over at

http://www.annabellestamps.com/

who is generously offer a $20 voucher to this week's random commenter.

To be in with a chance to win this fabulous prize all you need to do is leave a comment for an entrant in this week's linky party. Make sure you mention you saw them on MIM. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning!

Please head on over to Make It Monday to check out the gorgeous cards created by the MIM design team to help get you all inspired.

The Make It Monday #61 linky party is now open.

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

You can even revive an old post. It may be old news to you but there are so many new blogs coming online every day that it is NEW to them. So come along link up and check out the other submissions and remember is all about just sharing the creativity and you may even find yourself making some new blog buddies.

And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #61 - Di's Digi Downloads

2011-10-31T10:30:00.004+10:00

Hi there, happy Monday!

I hope you have all enjoyed a fabulous weekend.

Mine was pretty good, the weather was great so lots of time spent in the pool with my boys. 1st November is the official start to our tropical wet season so we aim to make the most of the nice weather before the rain sets in. They are forcasting a pretty wet one this year.

I know lots of you will be making final preparations for your Halloween festivities and I saw loads of fabulous Halloween crafty creations in last week's MIM linky party. Halloween is not widely celebrated here in Australia but it sure does look like fun!

Make It Monday linky party #61 is up and running.

In between dips in the pool I did manage to find a little craft time and created this card for this week's linky party using the image "Dafodil Fun" from our sponsor.

I think this is the first bear image I have coloured and it sure is a cutie!!

I have coloured the image with Copics and the kite has been popped up with foam tape.

Our sponsor this week is the lovely Di from

http://disdigidownloads.blogspot.com/

and she is generously offering 5 digis of the the winners choice

Ok,now on to the really tricky part of these weekly linky parties...................picking my favourite entry from last week.

This entry from Sandie really caught my eye

I wasn't able to grab a photo of Sandie's card but I can tell you it is definitely worth a trip over to her blog to check it out.

Thank you for sharing with us Sandie!

Please head on over to Make It Monday to check out the gorgeous cards created by the MIM design team to help get you all inspired.

The Make It Monday #61 linky party is now open.

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

I am linking my card to the following challenges and linky parties

Creating My Way To Success - Round Tuit #73

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #60

2011-10-24T10:00:00.002+10:00

Hi , well goodness me, Monday again already!

Seems to be coming around unbelievably quick these days and I only seem to be able to share with you here once a week!

But I do look forward to each and every Monday now as the fabulously fun Make It Monday linky party just gets better and better each week.

You all totally ROCKED it last week. Seriously! So many amazing creations and some really great tutorials too.

Be sure to check out my favourite pick from last week at the end of this post.

This week I have created a boys card (always tricky to do,well for me anyway).

Make It Monday #60 is now open

and we are sponsored this week by the lovely Emma over at

http://www.craftyemmasstore.co.uk/

who are generously offer a £10 Gift Voucher to their store for the winning commenter this week.

To be in with a chance of winning this fab prize all you have to do is leave a little blog love for an entrant on this week's Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw them on MIM.The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Ok now, on to my favourite entry from last week.............

It's amazing, right?!!

Cathy Lee has created an absolute stunner here. Please head on over to her awesome blog to see more photos of this amazing Haunted House.

Thank you so much Cathy Lee for sharing this with us at Make It Monday.

This weeks MIM linky party is now open. The Design Team have come up with some positively gorgeous cards to get you all inspired.

Please come along and join in the fun.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #59

2011-10-17T10:00:00.002+10:00

Hi MIM fans!

Here we at Monday again already!

I'm really finding that the weeks are just speeding past now. I think since I made the step up to working three days a week I feel like I am chasing my tail with everything! I take my hat off to all the Mums who work full time. I could certainly take some time management lessons from you!

Still it is only a few weeks (seven, but whos counting, lol) till the end of the school year and I plan to use the six week school break as an opportunity to re organise myself.

I did manage to find some time earlier in the week to get my card made for Make It Monday.

I have used the "Happy Moments" stamp set from Stampin' U! and have coloured with my Copics.

Make It Monday #59 is now open

and this week we are sponsored by

http://www.mymumscraftshop.co.uk/

who are generously offer a £10 Gift Voucher to their store for the winning commenter this week.

Ok now, on to my favourite entry from last week.............

Suzanne J Dean

with this fabulous boy's card

How awesome is this card, I ask you?!!

Suzanne is an extremely talented lady and always makes the most beautiful cards. She is actually the main reason I ventured in to using copics over a year ago. Her blog was one of the first ones I came across when I started blogging and I was always blown away by her amazing colouring skills.

Please swing past Suzanne's blog and say hi, let her know you saw her here.

Thank you for sharing with us Suzanne!

This weeks MIM linky party is now open. The Design Team have come up with some positively gorgeous cards to get you all inspired.

Please come along and join in the fun.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #58 - Did you miss me???

2011-10-10T10:00:00.062+10:00

Well, it's been a while but I'm back!!

Did you miss me?

It has been just over a month since I was here last and what month it has been. Firstly my family was struck down with a particularly bad bout of the flu, knocked us all for six for a couple of weeks but luckily we all recovered in time for us to head off on our family holiday down south to see my Parents.

We had an absolutely fabulous time but now we are back home and back in to routine. I sat down at my craft desk this weekend for the first time in weeks but sadly my mojo appears to be still away on vacation,lol.

I am excited to be back in the Make It Monday saddle today though and looking forward to seeing all the fabulous entries that you link up this week.

Make It Monday #58 is now open

I managed to come up with a sweet little note card and pillow box combo for this weeks MIM using some pretty digi paper from our sponsor.

I have used the floral design from the Polly Anna collection

This week we are sponsored by the lovely Mandy over at

http://www.cupcakecardcraft.co.uk/

Mandy is so kindly offering the Primrose Path digi paper collection to our winner!

To be in with a chance of winning this fab prize all you have to do is leave a little blog love for an entrant on this week's Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw them on MIM.The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Ok now, on to my favourite entry from last week.............

Unfortunately with all the unpacking, washing, grocery shopping etc I had to do this week after our holiday I didn't get to visit as many entries as I would have liked to. But of the ones I did get to visit my favourite was..................

Created by Bella

Isn't it just amazing?! I'm in serious need of that sweet little handbag!!

Well done Bella, a stunning creation! Thank you for sharing with us at Make It Monday.

This weeks MIM linky party is now open. The Design Team have come up with some positively gorgeous cards to get you all inspired.
Please come along and join in the fun.
Thank you for stopping by today.
Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #53 - Birthday Blog Hop

2011-09-05T10:00:00.073+10:00

Welcome to another Make It Monday linky party.

It is a very special week for us over at Make It Monday, we are celebrating our FIRST BIRTHDAY!!

Because the success of this weekly linky party is built on the creativity, inspiration and encouragement of the entrants each week we thought we would like to say a big thank you by having a BLOG HOP with two fabulous prizes up for grabs.

Now while it will be business as usual for MIM with a fabulous prize from our sponsor this week for the winning commenter there will also be some extra chances to win.

There are prizes on two MYSTERY DESIGN TEAM MEMBER'S blogs! Here's what you can win!

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning one of these fabulous prizes is visit each DT member's blog and leave a Happy Birthday message!

Prizes will be drawn by the DT members and announced on their blogs next week.

Good luck! and thanks again for all your wonderful support!

This week's Make It Monday linky party is now open

for my card this week I have used the image "Vintage Chevy" from our sponsor this week.

I just love this image! Has to be my all time favourite classic car!

This week we are sponsored by

http://deliciousdoodles.blogspot.com/

You will find a fabulous range of Digi images over at Delicious Doodles. There is something there for any occassion.
The lovely Teri is offer a fabulous prize of
4 digi images of winners choice
to the winning commentor this week.

To be in with a chance to win this week's prize all you need to do is leave a comment for one or more of the entries this week and let them know you saw their creation on Make It Monday. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Now let me share with you my favourite pick from last week's Make It Monday.

Which was this fabulous card by Sharri

I absolutely love this card! The beautiful, bright colours were just what I needed to brighten my dreadful flu filled week!

Thanks for sharing with us Sharri!!

Sharri has a blog filled with amazing cards like this and more!! Please hop on over and say hi, let her know you saw her gorgeous card featured here.

This weeks MIM linky party is now open. The Design Team have come up with some positively gorgeous cards to get you all inspired.

Please come along and join in the fun.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - Current Challenge - Make A Scene

2011-09-01T08:00:00.001+10:00

Thanks for dropping in today!

It's nice to have some company. I have been stuck at home here with my boys for the last week. We have all been really sick with this flu. Two of my boys are almost better but the third one is just coming down with it now. I am still struggling to shake this horrid bug. Can't say I remember being this sick before.

Anyway moving on to much more interesting things.

My card for the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

This time around we want to see you CREATE A SCENE and you still have a bit of time to get your entry submitted.

For my card I have used this cute image from Pollycraft called "Sonny's Party" I have hand drawn the table behind her and the cake (I draw cakes just like I bake them, wonky! lol). The pile of gifts is a stamp by Kaiserstamp called "Party Gifts".

Here is a list of some of the Copics used to colour this image

Skin - E000, E00 and E21

Hair - E25, E27 and E53

Dress - Y11 and Y13

Table cloth - B91, B93 and Y11

I have used a clear Spica pen to add a little glitter to the balloon, cake, envelope and presents.

Ok, lets see what you can come up with for this fun challenge!!

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #52

2011-08-29T10:00:00.075+10:00

Hi there, it's Monday again!

My head is spinning the weeks are just going so fast, actually maybe it is just this awful flu making my head spin. My youngest son and I have been feeling pretty ordinary these last few days.

Before I get down to Make It Monday business I just wanted to send out a hello to all my followers living on the East Coast USA. I am hoping that you have all faired ok with the passing through of Irene.

Some of you will remember that we evacuated ahead of Cyclone Yasi back in February so I can imagine how scary it must have been for all of you.

Ok now, lets talk about MAKE IT MONDAY

Another fabulous week last week, with an exceptional selection of talent on display.

Congratulations to this week's winners.

For my card this week I have used the cutest Lil Monster about town from our fabulous sponsor this week.

Isn't he just the cutest?! He is so much fun to colour and his little shirt is just perfect for paper piecing.

This week we are sponsored by the very lovely (and super talented) Andrea over at

AnnaBelle Stamps is an Australian based online store specialising in it's own line of clear photopolymer stamps and embellishments, and digi images and papers. They have a growing range of supplies for the cardmaker and crafter, and a challenge blog for inspiration! Be sure to visit them soon!

Andrea is generously offering the Branch Out stamp set to the winning commenter.

Annabelle Stamps are celebrating their 2nd Birthday and have a fun filled promotion running that you will definitely want to be a part of!.

Go here for all the details

Now, on to the only part about Make It Monday each week. Choosing one entry to feature as my favourite. Oh boy, this took ages for me to decide this week but in the end I chose This stunning card from Silke I just sit and look at this beautiful card in complete awe. I wish I could create cards in this style. I love the texture that Silke has given it and the bright happy colour. Silke has the most amazing blog, please pay her a visit and let her know you found her through Make It Monday. Thanks so much for sharing with us Silke. This weeks MIM linky party is now open. The Design Team have come up with some positively gorgeous cards to get you all inspired. Please come along and join in the fun. Thank you for stopping by today. Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers Current Challenge - Create A Scene

2011-08-25T23:09:00.003+10:00

Hi, nice to have you here again, but don't get too close! I have caught the flu off my youngest son and we are a right pair at the moment, coughing and sneezing and aching all over. Not good!

I'm running a bit late with this card too, I meant to have it ready to show you earlier today but I just haven't been able to get myself organised.

Mad For Markers has a fantastic challenge running at the moment to CREATE A SCENE

This was fun, I really enjoyed creating this card.

I used Jam Tilda and I drew in the brick wall, balloon and present with a black marker.

Please click on the image to see it more clearly

My head is absolutely pounding as I type this so I will do my best to remember what Markers I used to colour this image

Skin - E00, E000, E21 and R20

Hair E25, E27, E29 and E53

Clothes - R81, R83, Y000, Y21 and Y23

Brick Wall -E30, E53, E55, E57 and E59

Grass - YG91 and YG93

Balloon - YR61, YR65 and YR68

Present - R81, R83, R85, YG91, YG93 and Y11

Shading B0000, B000 and B00

I'm linking my card up to the following challenges

Craft Us Crazy - Anything Goes

Digi Doodle Shop - Anything Goes

Little Miss Muffet Challenges - More Than One Image

Ok, that's it for me, I'm off to bed with the vaporiser on but you should head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge Blog and see what the rest of the fabulously talented Design Team have been sharing.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #51

2011-08-22T10:00:00.002+10:00

Hi there, thanks for calling in to say hi today.

It is Monday and that means it is time for another linky party to start over at Make It Monday this week.

Wow, it was a huge one last week! Absolutely amazing!

Congratulations to the winners and

welome to our newest Design Team members

Rene and Lisa M

I'm really looking forward to working with you and seeing your fabulous creations!

For this week's linky party I have used this adorable image from Mo Manning.

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Emma at

Emma's Crafty Store

Emma's store is well worth a visit with a huge variety papers,tools and embellishments

Emma is generously offering a £10 voucher to spend in store (p&p not included).

Let's see who I picked this week as my favourite from last week's entries...

It is always a very difficult choice, there is just so much amazing talent linked up each and every week.

this week I chose

Dana from Dana's Inspirations

with this amazing card

I just love the way Dana has coloured this image!

Thank you for sharing with us Dana at Make It Monday.

Please hop on over and say hi to Dana, let her know you saw her here. You will be so impressed by the selection of incredible cards on display. Certainly a very talented and inspirational lady.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Be sure to head on over to Make It Monday to see the many amazing creations linked up daily.

I can't wait to see what you create this week!

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - Current Challenge - Spica Pens

2011-08-17T23:22:00.001+10:00

Hi Copic fans!!

How has your week been?

I hope you have been colouring up a storm. We have a fab challenge for you at the moment over at

Mad For Markers.

SPICA PENS

We want to see a little (or a lot) of sparkle on your projects this time.

For my card this week I have used this cute Lil Monster and sparkled him up a bit.

Click this image and then click again to zoom right in to really see the sparkle.

Image has been coloured with the following markers

B21, B23, B24 and B26

YG91, YG93, YG95 and YG97

R 22, R24, R27 and R29

Spica Pens Clear and Red

Ok, now you have seen how fabulously sparkly these pens are let's see what you can do with them.

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and been sharing and then link yours up to be in with a chance of winning Three Spica Pens.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #50 with Cupcake Cards and Crafts

2011-08-15T10:00:00.001+10:00

Hi there, happy Monday to you!

Did you have a good weekend? Mine was way too short but so much fun. I spent some time outside in our fabulous warm winter weather flying a kite with one of my boys. It was his 7th birthday on Saturday and we spent the day doing his favourite activities. Sometimes it is really nice to spend time being a kid again (note to self to do it more often).

The end of the weekend signals the beginning of a whole new Make It Monday linky party and I always look forward to the feast of creativity that the week will bring.

Congratulations to the winners from last week's linky party.

For my card this week I have used the beautiful papers so generously supplied by our sponsor this week.

This week we are sponsored by the lovely Mandy over at

http://www.cupcakecardcraft.co.uk/

Mandy is so kindly offering the new release Soft Whispers paper collection. Each set of these gorgeous papers come in 8 soft dreamy colours!

Let's see who I picked this week as my favourite from last week's entries...

It is always difficult to choose, but with 232 entries last week it was near on impossible this time,lol.

But in the end I chose........

This pretty card by Gloria over at Crafter GM

Gloria has very cleverly created her background paper using bubble wrap.

Please hop on over to say hi to Gloria and be sure to let her know you found her through Make It Monday.

Thank you for stopping by today.

I look forward to seeing what you share over at Make It Monday this week.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers Current Challenge - Spica Pens

2011-08-11T23:15:00.002+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

Oh boy , I'm running really late this week!

I have created a card to share with you to inspire you to join in with the new challenge over at

Mad For Markers.

We want to see you use those fabulously shimmery Spica Pens on your cards.

For my card today I have used a Kenny K image.

Now while these pens are just awesome at giving your creations that added sparkle they are tricky to photograph.

I have zoomed in a bit to try to show you in more detail

The following Copics and Spica Pens were used to colour this image

Skin - E000, E00, E21 and R20

Hair - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

Lips and Top - R24, R27 and R29

Pants and Guitar - C1, C3, C5, C7, C9

Spica Pens - Clear and Red

I'm linking my card to the following challenges

Ladybug Crafts Ink - favourite stamp

Ok, now you have seen how fabulously sparkly these pens are let's see what you can do with them.

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge Blog to see what the rest of the Design Team and been sharing and then link yours up to be in with a chance of winning Three Spica Pens.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #49 with Ladybug Crafts Ink and a DT call

2011-08-08T10:00:00.084+10:00

Hi MIM fans

Thanks for swinging by my blog today.

What a fabulous weekend we've just had. Hubby and took our boys on a little hike yesterday, their first one and the first one I have done in quite a while. It was 6.4km round trip (mainly up hill) to check out a gorgeous waterfall.

I'm certainly feeling it today, LOL. The best part is that this beautiful place is just a ten minute drive from our house!

Ok, let's move on to the Make It Monday linky party now.

Wow, you guys are amazing! Week after week you keep that creativity coming. The Design Team and I absolutley love coming to visit you and checking out your gorgeous creations.

For my card this week I decided to make a smaller gift card using this sweet "Ruby Fairy" image from our sponsor.

Isn't she just the sweetest little fairy?!

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful

Kerry from Ladybug Crafts Ink

Kerry is generously offering the winning commentor a stamp of their choice to the value of £6.50

There are some really awesome new stamps available over at Ladybug Crafts Ink including the new range of Christmas Jack and Robin.

To be in with a chance of winning this fab prize all you have to do is leave a little blog love for an entrant on this week's Make It Monday linky party. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Let's see who I picked this week as my favourite from last week's entries...

I had a really tough time choosing a favourite this week spend ages agonising between two really fabulous entries and in the end picked this one from

Deonna from For The Love Of Cardmaking

Seriously, how fab is this?!

Thanks for sharing this with us Deonna!

Oh boy, what a long post this has turned out to be. Just one more thing before I got and that is to give you the heads up on the Design Team call happening over at Make It Monday this week.

If you think you might be interested in getting in on all the fun check out the Make It Monday blog for all the details.

Thanks you for stopping by today.

I look forward to seeing what you have made this week.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - Sketch Challenge

2011-08-04T07:00:00.002+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

Thursday and I am here to remind you all of the current challenge over at Mad For Markers. Still a couple of days left to get your creation linked up.

I had a lovely day on Tuesday crafting with some wonderful friends of mine and I created this card to share with you today.

I have used an image from Mo Manning for this boy's card. I love this image as it reminds me of my three little blonde boys riding around on the tractor and go cart that my Dad bought for them years ago.

Image is coloured with the following copics

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E21 and R20

Hair - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

Clothes - B91, B93, B95, YG91, YG93, YG95, R22, R24, R27

Car - R22, R24, R27, R29, R46, R59, Y21, Y23 and Y26

Wheels - C1, C3, C5, C7, C9 and 100

Here's a look at the fabulous sketch Bron has done up for you.

It's a beauty!!

Please come on over and join in the fun at the

Mad For Markers Challenge Blog.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #48 - with Delicious Doodles

2011-08-01T10:00:00.001+10:00

Whoah, ok now this is just getting silly!!

Yesterday was Friday right? No, really? It was Sunday? Wow, that must mean today is Monday.

Boy, that seems to be coming round quicker every week!

Good news is however that it is Make It Monday time again.

So many amazing entries last week, did you get to see them? The creativity was definitely flowing, there were some fab tutorials in amongst them all too.

Congratulations to the featured blogger and winning commenter.

My favourite pick for the week is featured at the end of this post.

This week we are sponsored by the fantastic Delicious Doodles and I have used their "Vase Of Roses" image for my card today.

Image is coloured with Copics and I have embossed the image panal with an embossing folder from SU but the name escapes me at the moment.

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful

Delicious Doodles - http://deliciousdoodles.blogspot.com/

You will find a fabulous range of Digi images over at Delicious Doodles. There is something there for any occassion.

The lovely Teri is offer a fabulous prize of

4 digi images of winners choic

to the winning commentor this week.all you have to do to be in the running to win this fantastic prize is leave a comment for an entry in the Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw their entry on Make It Monday.The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Now, let me show you who I chose to feature this week from last weeks linky party

This is an incredibly difficult choice to make but in the end I decided on

This card by Linda

Please head on over to Linda's blog to see it in more glorious detail.

Thank you for sharing with us at Make It Monday Linda!

Thank you for stopping by today. I look forward to seeing YOUR creations over at Make It Monday this week.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - New Challenge - Sketch

2011-07-28T00:02:00.000+10:00

Hi Copic fans, how are you today?

I'm running behind this week something terrible. As much as I love long weekends they seem to put my routine way out of whack and I find myself playing catch up all the next week.

I'm here today to share a card with you for the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

This time around my fabulous teamie, Bron, has come up with a wonderful sketch.

For my card I have used a gorgeous image stamp from the Oliver and Amelia range called "Happy Day"

Please click on the image to get a better view, one of these days I will take a decent photo!!

The following Copics were used :

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

Clothes - R81, R83, R85, B91, B93, B95

Here's a look at the fabulous sketch Bron has done up for you.

It's a beauty!!

Please come on over and join in the fun at the

Mad For Markers Challenge Blog.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #47 with Crafty Emma's Store

2011-07-25T10:00:00.032+10:00

Hey Ho MIM fans, here we are again!!

These linky parties sure do come round quick!!

Loads and loads of amazing entries last week. Congratulations to this week's featured blogger and to the winning commentor.What a super friendly bunch you are!

It get's harder each week to pick an entry to feature here on my blog as my favourite for the week. Please see my pick at the bottom of this post.

We have had an absolutely fabulous long weekend here (local show day). The weather has been glorious, so have been spending loads of time outside with the boys.

Did find a little time to craft though to make a card for this week's

Make It Monday linky party that starts today.

I have used one of my own images "Man In Suit" available over at

Pink Paper Paradise Designs

As always, please click on the image to see it more clearly

Papers are "Hattie Papers" from My Minds Eye available here from our sponsor this week

Crafty Emma's Store

What you can't get at Emma's fantastic store is not worth having!! She has a fabulous store full to the brim with craft tools, papers and embellishments.

The lovely Emma is generously offering a £10 voucher (ex p&p) to the winning commentor this week over at

Make It Monday.

all you have to do to be in the running to win this fantastic prize is leave a comment for an entry in the Make It Monday linky party. Be sure to mention you saw their entry on Make It Monday.The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Now, let me show you who I chose to feature this week from last weeks linky party

after much consideration I chose this terrific card by

Martha at I'm Black Martha

Isn't it just so fabulously fun!! Martha has done a brilliant job of creating this summer scene.

From what I can see Martha has only started her blog this year but it is already full of beautiful cards and scrapbook layouts. Please hop on over and say Hi to Martha, I know she will be happy to see you and you will see more examples of her skillful colouring in both Copics and Pencil.

I look forward to seeing your creations this week too, over at Make It Monday.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - Current Challenge - Pink and Yellow

2011-07-21T07:00:00.003+10:00

So glad you dropped by today.

Hope you have all been having a pleasant week. Mine has been pretty good, but it will get a whole lot better around 3pm today when I pick the boys up from school and we head in to a three day weekend!

But before that I want to show you my card today.

Mad For Markers current challenge still has a couple of days to go and I hope to inspire you to join in the fun.

For my card I have used one of my very own images called "Ballet Lesson" available over at my new digi store

Pink Paper Paradise Designs

Copic Markers used

Skin - E000, E00, E11, E21 and R20

Tutu - R81, R83 and R85

Hair - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

I am linking my card to the following challenges
Copic Creations - Pastel Colours

There have been some really fabulous entries submitted so far and the Design Team have been working hard to create some beautiful cards to inspire you.

Please come on over and join in the fun at the

Mad For Markers Challenge Blog.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Well, I finally went and did it.....

2011-07-20T10:00:00.069+10:00

I bet that title has you wondering, lol!

Sorry, no juicy gossip for you here, but I do have some exciting news.

Well, it's exciting for me and hopefully you will find it at least a little bit interesing, lol.

I have finally gotten around to opening my own little
Digi Image Store

Little being the operative word, so far I only have few images there but I'm working on some more that will hopefully be up soon.

For now, let me give you a little peak at what's available.

Today I have a card that I made using my "Wedding Couple" image

The Bride and Groom are available as individual images too.

A few of my wonderful Blog friends have created some cards with a few of my other images available over at
Pink Paper Paradise Designs

Please head on over to their blogs to see the cards in more detail.

Shirley-Anne

Lisa

Chrissy

Mary J

Thanks Ladies, your cards look amazing!!

I hope you like this little preview of my new images. Please drop by the store and add yourself as a follower so that you don't miss the next release of images.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #46

2011-07-18T10:00:00.006+10:00

Hi there

Another beautiful morning here in Far North Queensland. Weather report says we are in for a very mild day.

Being Monday, I'm here today to remind you that the Make It Monday linky party is on again.

Each week the Design Team and I just love to see all the fabulous entries linked up. And we especially like seeing all the lovely comments left for the entrants by you all.

This week I have used one of my favourite images from The Greeting Farm (available from our sponsor this week) called Oliver and Amelia Buddy

I just love this image,so perfect for those hard to make boys cards.

Copics used to colour this image were

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hat & Shorts - YR61, YR 65, YR68, E31 and E33

Shirt and Shoes - YG91, YG93 and YG95

Dog - E53, E55 and E57

Make It Monday #46 is sponsored by the fabulous Sammi over at

Mad For Markers - http://www.madformarkers.com.au/catalog/

and she is generously offering a fabulous

Prize of a Copicendium Magazine

all you have to do to be in the running to win this fantastic prize is leave a comment for an entry in the Make It Monday linky party. The more entries you comment on the more chances you have of winning.

Now, let me show you who I chose to feature this week from last weeks linky party

(It's so hard to choose!)

after much consideration I chose this absolutely amazing creation

Une Histoire De Scrap by Poupette

Isn't it just amazing?!

You will have to hop over there and check it out in more detail.

I look forward to seeing your creations this week too, over at Make It Monday.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :o)

Fabulous Candy Up For Grabs

2011-07-16T23:13:00.001+10:00

No card from me today, I'm just popping in to let you know about some amazing candy up for grabs over at Aussie Cards For Sale

Here is what the lovely and generous Alicia has to say over at Aussie Cards For Sale

"For every card purchased during the month of July you receive an entry in our amazing Card-Making Supplies Prize. Included in this prize is everything to get you started if you have never made cards before, or a wonderful addition to your supplies if you are already an established card-maker or scrapbooker. There are four Magnolia stamps, a punch, ink pad, paper doilies, tape, gems, design papers, pearls, ribbon, lace, chipboard, crocheted doillies and lots of lovely flowers. One of our beautiful Aussie Cards for Sale customers will be the lucky winner!! Every card you buy earns you an entry so if you purchase six cards from our online store in the month of July you receive six entries in the competition. You never know it could be you! Happy shopping and good luck!!"

Are you still here?? Go on head on over to Aussie Cards For Sale and check out all the fabulous cards for sale and get your self in the running to win this amazing crafting candy.

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - New Challenge - Pink and Yellow

2011-07-14T06:00:00.015+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

Can you believe it is Thursday again already?! Now that we are in to July it's like a down hill run, I'm sure the days are just going faster!

I'm here today with a card to share with you that will hopefully get you all inspired to take part in the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

We want to see your pretty PINK AND YELLOW creations.

Sammi is offering a couple of Copic Markers to the winning entry ( Pink and Yellow of course!)

For my card I have used a fabulous image from Kenny K called Download Diva.

I'm loving the pale pink and yellow but gee, it was tough to photograph! It really does look so much better in real life.

click on image for a better view

Pretty yellow crochet flowers are from my friend Helen over at Let's Create.

Copics used were

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair - Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

Shirt and Socks - C1, Y21 and Y23

Jeans and Shoes - R81, R83, R85 and C1

Ground - E33, E31 and E30

Shading around image - B0000, B000, B00

I'm entering my card in to the following challenges:

Diva's By Design - Pastels

The current Mad For Markers challenge is open now and the fabulously talented Design Team have already posted some stunning creations to get you all inspired over on the Mad For Markers challenge blog. Hop on over there now and check them out.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by today

Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #45

2011-07-11T10:00:00.056+10:00

Hi!

Have you all had a fabulous weekend?

We had a fantastic weekend, took the boys up to the tablelands to go see the Herberton Historic Village and the Steam train at Ravenshoe. Wow, fantastic!! But sadly today is the last day of our school holidays, guess they had to end some time but the two weeks seems to have gone so fast.

But on a high note, today is Monday and that means it's Make It Monday time again and that makes me happy!!

Congratulations to the winners of last week's linky party.

Make It Monday #45 is now open

For my card this week I have used a fabulously fun image from our sponsor called "Wagon Full Of Cupcakes"

Please click on image for a larger/clearer view

This week we are sponsored by the wonderful Kerry at Ladybug Crafts Ink

and she is generously offering the winning commentor a stamp of their choice to the value of £6.50.

There are some really awesome new stamps available over at Ladybug Crafts Ink including the new range of Christmas Jack and Robin.

Ok now, lets have a look see who I chose as my favourite pick from last weeks entries.

After spending a lot of time browsing through the many amazing entries I kept coming back to this one by

Grace from Th-ink-ing Of You

I mean really! Just look at it, is it not just absolutely stunning?! Who would not feel better receiving this fabulous gift basket.

Grace has also kindly posted a brilliant tutorial for it.

Thank you Grace for sharing this with us at Make it Monday.

Head on over to the Make It Monday blog and check out the cards by the wonderfully talented Design Team.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - Current Challenge - Red Hair

2011-07-07T07:00:00.043+10:00

Hi there Copic Fans!!

It's Thursday again and that means it's my turn to create and share a card to inspire you to participate in the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

There is still a couple of days left for you to submit your entry so don't be shy, give it a try.

I have actually enjoyed the challenge of RED HAIR this time. On previous occassions I have gone straight for the dramatic bold reds but this time I wanted to create a more traditional red head, using the same colours as my previous card for this challenge.

To me, this is the best part of participating in challenges, you get to try something you may not otherwise have been inspired to do. Traditionally I have stuck to the standard brown or blonde hair but I have fallen in love with this particular hair colour now.

For my card i have used this fabulous image from Tickled Pink Stamps called "Lil Pinkette - August".

Copic used to colour this image

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair - YR61,YR65, YR68, E33 and E35

Clothes - B91, B93,B95, Y21, Y23, YR61,YR65, C1 and C3

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

I'm being featured over at Creating My Way To Success

2011-07-06T07:00:00.004+10:00

Hi

The lovely Jill over at CREATING MY WAY TO SUCCESS has asked me to feature on her blog today.

Jill has a fantastic blog full over interesting and informative blog tips and ideas as well as some fabulous upcycling ideas. Well worth a look!!

Jill is also co-hosting a worldwide blog hop today see details below.

With multiple hosts from all corners of the globe this blog hop is set to be a whole world of fun!!

Here's what Jill had to say...................

I hope you'll come on this weekly world tour with us - as together we network and expand the reach of our individual blogs.

Do you work together with others on projects? Share your respective skills and networks to achieve bigger and better results? What success have you had in this?

I've been doing my Wednesday 'Creating to Success' interviews for 6 months now, and added the blog hop just 4 weeks ago. So it will be interesting to see how much bigger it can grow, with the help of teamwork!

Hop on over to the different continents and see the host's featured blogger.

Australasia - Creating My Way To Success

Europe - http://theshinybubble.blogspot.com/The Americas - http://www.suzyssitcom.com/Asia - http://ofpinksandfairytales.blogspot.com/Africa - http://www.peekadot.blogspot.com/ See you there!! Michelle :o)

Make It Monday #44

2011-07-04T10:30:00.004+10:00

Hi there!!

I hope you have all had a fantastic weekend. We certainly enjoyed ours. We have been making the most of the school holidays with some quality family time. Took the boys to the movies to see Cars 2. It wasn't too bad, a bit loud I think with so many explosions and car chases etc (real James Bond stuff) and most of the humour was a bit too adult for the boys but all in all it was still a fun outing.

Being a Monday means it is time for another linky party over at Make It Monday.

The rainy weather we have been having here has been perfect for crafting and I had a lot of fun making my card for this week's linky party.

I have used an image from our wonderful sponsor this week called "Blue Tit".

I used this image last time Make It Monday was sponsored by Delicious Doodles you can see the card I made then here.

I could have chosen another image from the fabulous range at Delicious Doodles but I really love this image and it is so much fun to colour I just had to use it again.

I have used the following Copic Markers to colour this image

B91, B93, B95 and B97

YG91, YG93, YG95 and YG97

Y21, Y23, Y26 and Y28

I am entering my card in to the following challenges:

Crafty Emma's Store Challenge Blog - Woodland Creatures

Our wonderful sponsor this week is the love Teri from

Delicious Doodles - http://deliciousdoodles.blogspot.com/

and she is generously offering 4 digi images of winners choice to the chosen commentor for this weeks linky party.

Ok now, lets have a look see who I chose as my favourite pick from last weeks entries.

After many a browse through all the entries linked up last week I finally chose this card which really stood out to me.

It is by Emma at Paper Addicts Anonymous

I just think it is so much fun, I love the bright bunting and the way the middle hedgehog pops with colour against his grey friends.

Fabulous card Emma, thanks for sharing with us at Make It Monday last week.

Thank you too for stopping by today, it's always lovely to have you drop in.

Michelle :o)

A Card Just For Fun

2011-07-02T21:29:00.001+10:00

Thanks for swinging by today.

I am loving the school holidays!! The weather has been pretty ordinary with a week of unseasonal rain but it has still been fun.

I even found time today to make a card just for fun. Now that is something I rarely get to do these days.

I saw the current challenge over at Less Is More and thought I would join in for the first time.

I have used one of the cutest stamps I own called "Lil Monster's Balloon" from AnnaBelle Stamps.

I stamped the image straight on to Neenah Paper 352 GSM (available through Mad For Markers) and coloured with my copics. This paper is brilliant for one layer cards as it is so thick that the Copics don't bleed through at all.

Copics used were

B91, B93, B95 and B97

Y21 and Y23

R20, R22, R24, R27, R29 and R46

N0, N1 and N3

Sentiment is is stamped with SU Not Quite Navy and the border is hand drawn with a SU Not Quite Navy Marker.

The second balloon is actually an after thought, as I accidently made a smudge with the ink. Don't you just love it though when a mistake actually works in your favour!

I am also linking my card up to the following challenges -

AnnaBelle Stamps Challenge - Say It With Frames ( I'm hoping the border around the outside edge counts as a frame)

Thanks for stopping by to see me today!

Michelle :o)

Mad For Markers - New Challenge - Red Hair

2011-06-30T14:39:00.006+10:00

Hi Copic fans!!

Thursday is the day that I create and share a card with you to hopefully inspire you to join in with the latest challenge over at Mad For Markers.

Last week's Brown Hair challenge was a big hit. Congratultions to the winner and DT favourites!! There were so many fabulous entries, it was great to see.

The new challenge is set to be just as much fun as we ask you to show us your creations with RED HAIR this time.

Now I was going to go with the literal interpretation and use bright reds but then when I saw this cute little fairy (sent to me by my wonderful blogging friend Jill) I chose instead to go with a more traditional red head.

Can I draw your attention for a moment to the beautiful little yellow crochet flower. This lovely little flower was part of a larger pack of assorted colours sent to me for my birthday from another wonderful blogging friend, Helen from Let's Create. (One seriously talented lady who you should definitely pay a visit).

Thank you so much Helen, I absolutely love them!!

Now this is a new hair colour for me and it was a bit of trial and error but I am really happy with how it turned out.

Copic used to colour this image

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair - YR61,YR65, YR68, E33 and E35

Dress - B91, B93, Y13 and Y11

Wings - E50

I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Crafts and Me - Birthdays
Flutter by Wednesday's
My Mum's Craft Shop - Something Old Something New (Paper and image are old, Crochet Flower is new)
The Paper Shelter - Anything Goes
Oldie But A Goodie - Anything Goes
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Fairies

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

Make It Monday #43

2011-06-27T10:30:00.057+10:00

Hi there!

Here we are, Monday again and nearly the end of June!!

My boys are on school holidays now for two weeks (Yay!) but in keeping with tradition in our house we are all sick! Seriously, every school holidays! I think it is just end of term itis and we should all be up and about in a day or so. (Power of positive thinking and all).

It's not all bad, I am excited to say that it is Make It Monday time again.

Congratulations to this week's featured blogger and winning commentor.

It was another fabulous week last week. You guys are really making it tough to choose a favourite that is for sure!

Please scroll down to the bottom of my post to see who I chose as my favourite from last week's link up.

For my card this week I have used a digi image from our lovely sponsor

Image is "Daisy" (please click on image to get a clearer view)

Such a versatile image and being digi can be resized very easily.

We are sponsored this week by the wonderful

Prize

A$20 gift voucher to either Platypus Creek Stamps or Platypus Digitals

Tracey has a wonderful selection of Rubber and Digi stamps as well as cardstock, papers, spellbinders and more in store.

Currently they have a ***STOCK TAKE SALE***

All new items added to the clearance section including JustRite Stamps, Spellbinders, Acrylic Mounts and Paper Flowers.

Massive reductions on heaps of items already in the clearance section.

Pop on over as it is well worth a look.

Now, lets see...............

Which of the 200 entries last week was my favourite

Gee almost easier to pick the winning lotto numbers I reckon, lol!

But here goes, my favourite entry from last week is...................

Crystal from Chrystal's Crafty Creations with this gorgeous creation

This is fabulous!! I love the scene she has created with this gorgeous image and her colouring is spectacular.

Thank Crystal for sharing with us at Make It Monday.

This week's Make It Monday #43 is now open.

Please hop over over to the Make It Monday blog and check out the featured blogger and random commentor winner.

The fabulously talented Design Team and created some amazing cards to inspire you and if you visit their blogs (and I hope you do!) you will see which entry from last week they have chosen as their favourite.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Michelle :-)

Mad For Markes Challenge - Brown Hair

2011-06-22T23:43:00.001+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

I'm here today to let you know that there are still a couple of days remaining for the current Mad For Markers challenge.

It's a popular one this fortnight, seems everyone enjoys colouring hair.

We want to see your brown hair creations so come on over and link them up.

For my card today I have used one of my favourite Kenny K images "Download Diva". These little beauties are just so much fun to colour.

Copics used to colour this image

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair - E25, E27, E29 and E53

Clothes - R22, R24, R26, E30, E33, E35, B91, B93 and Y11

As I said, there are only a few days left of this challenge but time enough for you to get your entry in.

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge blog and check out the Design Teams ispiring makes and the entrie so far.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

Make It Monday #42 - Happy Birthday to Me!!

2011-06-20T10:30:00.080+10:00

Hope you all enjoyed a fabulous weekend.

We did, although it was a busy one. We have finally reclaimed our yard after what was incredibly wet and long wet season. We have mulched the gardens, repaired our driveway and build a 20 metre long cement wall (about 20cm high) to stop the water coursing across our land from our neighbours block.

Feels good to have got all that done!!

Today is my birthday!! Although it doesn't feel all that exciting, with Hubby at work and the boy's at school.

I have been spoilt though.

My wonderful Mum and Dad have showered me in crafting supplies (joy's of having a Mum who is a SU demo and a generous Dad!!)

Some of you may remember that my Dad had a very severe stroke last October. He came home from the hospital at Chirstmas time and has been coming ahead in leaps and bounds. Perhaps he got just a little too confident with his walking, he had a very nasty fall last week and is now feeling very sore and has lost a lot of his confidence. Love you Dad!! Hope you are feeling better soon!!

I was also spoilt this morning with lots of cuddles from my gorgeous boys and some lovely hand made treasures.

Anyway, enough about me, lets get on to the real reason you stopped by today.......

The Make It Monday linky party is now open.

Wow, there was a record number of entries for last week's linky party. Thank you to all of you who took part. Please scroll down to see who's entry I chose as my favourite.

I have used Digi Papers from our wonderful sponsor this week on my card. This is a first for me and I was pleasantly surprised just how easy they were to use.

This week Make It Monday is sponsorted by

Cupcake Cards and Crafts

The prize will be 'Polly Anna' Paper collection, a bright colour palette with fabulous modern designs!

Now, because there are just so many fabulous entries each week on the Make It Monday linky party, the Design Team and I have decided that we would each like to feature our favourite entry on our own blogs.

I had a really tough time choosing a favourite this week, there were just so many fabulous entries to choose from but in the end I chose...............

This card by

Deonna at For The Love Of Cardmaking

This is such a fun card!! I just love Meljen's Designs images and Deonna has coloured this one perfectly.

Thanks Deonna for sharing with us at Make It Monday.

This week's Make It Monday #42 is now open.

Please hop over over to the Make It Monday blog and check out the featured blogger and random commentor winner.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Michelle :-)

Mad For Markers - New Challenge - Brown Hair

2011-06-16T00:16:00.003+10:00

Hi Copic fans!!

I'm just popping in very quickly today (have to go to work today, but school holidays are just around the corner,Yay!).

Mad For Markers have a brand new challenge going and I think you will enjoy it. I know I'm going to!!

We want to see you COLOUR BROWN HAIR with your Copic Markers this fortnight.

This is probably my most favourite part of colouring.

I managed to make up a quick card last night to share with you today using a TGF stamp that I got from Sammi at Mad For Markers called "Happy Day"

I have used the following Copic Markers to colour this image

Hair E25, E27, E29 and E53

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Clothes - R24, R27, R29,R46, B91, B93, B95 and B97

Brown Dinosaur - E30, E33,E35 and Colourless Blender for the spots.

Green Dinosaurs and Shoes - YG91, YG93, YG95 an YG97

I am entering this card in to the following challenges:

Dutch Dare Card Challenges - For the Boys

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge blog and check out the Design Teams inspiring makes and the entries so far.

I look forward to seeing your creation for this fun challenge!!

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

Make It Monday #41

2011-06-13T10:27:00.002+10:00

Hello my wonderful blogging buddies!!

I hope you have all had a fabulous weekend and are feeling refreshed and rejuvinated, ready for the working week ahead!!

Sorry, too chirpy for a Monday morning???

Ok, it's just that it is such a fabulous morning here, sun is shining, sky is blue, perfect!! Oh, and for us here in Australia it is a long weekend curtesy of the Queen's Birthday so that always helps, lol.

Today marks the start of another Make It Monday linky party and I am so happy to see that so many of you are enjoying being a part of it. Thank you to all of you who linked up and Congratulations to the featured blogger and winner.

Please scroll down to the bottom of my post to see who I chose as my favourite from last week's link up.

For my card this week I have use one of my favourite images from our lovely sponsor Ladybug Crafts Ink.

This image is called "Jack and his wagon" the sentiment and number are from the "Sentimental Numbers" set.

The lovely Kerry from Ladybug Crafts Ink

is generously offering

a stamp of the winners choice to the value of £6.50

so, for me the stand out entry was (an incredibly hard choice to make)...............

Helen from Let's Create

with this stunning card

I just LOVE that stripey ribbon and that spectacular bow. It is such an elegant, stylish card.

Thanks Helen for sharing with us at Make It Monday.

This week's Make It Monday #41 is now open.

Please hop over over to the Make It Monday blog and check out the featured blogger and random commentor winner.

Thanks for stopping by today!!

Michelle :-)

Mad For Markers - Tag Sketch

2011-06-09T07:00:00.047+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

I'm here today to remind you that there are just a couple of days left to get your submission in to the current Mad For Markers challenge.

The Design Team have been posting daily with fabulous examples of how you can use the sketch and the submissions to date are just fantastic.

I don't make a lot of tags so I was tempted to just make a tag shaped card this week but then I decided to step out of my comfort zone and just go with the straight tag. I'm actually pretty happy with how this turned out in the end.

Image is from Kenny K and papers from Stampin Up!. I have coloured the flower and lace with Copic Marker B21.

The following Copics have been used to colour the image

Skin - E00, E000, E11 and R20

Hair - Y21, Y 23, Y26 and Y28

Clothes and Shoes - E30, E31, E33, E34, E35, E37, B21, B23, B24

My fellow Design Team member, Melissa, has come up with this fabulous tag sketch this fortnight and it is up to you how you use it, you might want to make a tag, incorporate the tag on to a card or maybe make a tag shaped card, it's up to you.

As I said, there are only a few days left of this challenge but time enough for you to get your entry in.

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge blog and check out the Design Teams ispiring makes and the entrie so far.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

Make It Monday #40

2011-06-06T10:30:00.054+10:00

Hello

Happy Monday morning to you!!

I have scheduled this post as I am at work today, been called in to cover for one of the ladies in the office. So that means I am working four days this week. I'm not complaining, I really do enjoy my job.

I'm just looking forward to another Make It Monday linky party starting today.

Congratulations to the featured blogger and random commentor.

For my card I have used a gorgeous little image from our sponsor this week called "Blue Tit"

I absolutely love this little image and it was great to colour with my Copics.

The Make It Monday linky party is open now and our wonderful sponsor this week is

Delicious Doodles - http://deliciousdoodles.blogspot.com/

and are offering this weeks random commentor

4 digi images of winners choice

So please head on over to Make It Monday and link up your creations

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

Don't forget......... if you leave a comment on another entry, mention that you saw their card on "Make It Monday" for a chance at second prize. The more entries you comment on the more chance you have of winning.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

New Challenge at Mad For Markers

2011-06-01T23:12:00.001+10:00

Thanks for stopping by, it's always nice to have you drop in.

Thanks to those of you who emailed to ask after my little guy and his tests. He was such little trooper. It's the first time he has had a blood test and being on the Autistic spectrum it was never going to be easy but he held up well. All I can say, is how did Mothers ever cope before the days of IPODs??? I'd like to think it was my soothing words and loving cuddles that got him through but truth be told I think it was good old Sponge Bob Square Pants!! lol :-P.

With the ENT visit, the blood test and working three days a week now I haven't had a lot of crafting time. That seems to be the case most weeks now sadly. But I have managed to create a card this week to share with you.

I have used Mo Mannings sweet image "End Of Summer"

I'm not sure why my photos end up so blurry but if you click on it is much clearer.

I have used the following Copics to colour this image and the flowers.

Skin - E00, E000, E11 and R20

Hair - E25, E27, E29 and E53

Flowers and Shirt - R81, R83 and R85

Jeans - B91, B93, B95 and B97

Blue Shading - B00

Speaking of Copics, there is a new challenge over at Mad For Markers that you should check out.

My teamie, Melissa, has come up with a fabulous tag sketch this fortnight and it is up to you how you use it, you might want to make a tag, incorporate the tag on to a card or maybe make a tag shaped card, it's up to you.

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

MIM #39

2011-05-30T10:30:00.001+10:00

Super quick post from me today. I am taking my youngest son for some blood and allergy testing this morning. Not looking forward to it at all.

But before I head out I want to share my card for this week's MIM.

There were so many fantastic submissions last week!! I am so glad that you all enjoy the weekly linky party so much. I know I do! I find it really helps me when my mojo goes walk about. I just browse through all the inspiring creations that you link up and I'm right to go.

For my card this week I have used the "Cupcake" image from our wonderful sponsor this week.

Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts

I made this card around at my friend Shanni's last week. I always struggle with the sentiment on my cards and this one gave me heaps of grief. But thankfully Shannean was there to give me some help or I would never have got this card completed.

The Make It Monday linky party is open again and this week we are sponsored by the wonderful

Platypus Creek Stamping and Crafts -

So please head on over to Make It Monday and link up your creations

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

Mad For Markers - Colour your Embellishments

2011-05-26T08:00:00.001+10:00

Hi there Copic fans!!

How have you all been? I feel like I have been a way for a very long time but in reality I haven't been away at all, just sick!

With the Blogger melt down, continued issues with commenting and catching this horrible flu, blogging has been taking a bit of a back seat.

But I have managed to create a little something for the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

The challenge this fortnight has been to colour your embellishments with your Copic markers.

I decided to create a tag/book mark.

I used "Club Kid" from Kenny K

I have coloured the lace and flower with R81

and the rhinestones that were a very pale pink I darkened by colouring them with R83

Copics used to colour this image

E000, E00, E11,

R20, R81, R83, R85

E25, E27, E29,E30, E31, E33, E35, E37,

There is still a little time left to enter the current challenge over at Mad For Markers.

We would love to see the creative ways you can use your Copic markers to colour embellishments.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

Make It Monday #38

2011-05-23T10:00:00.001+10:00

Hi, thanks for stopping by today.

I sure could use the company!!

It's been a very long week with three sick little boys all coughing their poor little lungs up. Seems to be a particularly nasty little bug getting around school these last couple of weeks. Now I have come down with it too. Acutally I'm surprised that I didn't come down with it sooner.

I work at the reception at the primary school that my boys attend and part of my job is dealing with the poor kids who come in to sick bay. Some days I tell you, it's like I'm air traffic control at LAX with kids in a holding pattern waiting for a bed, LOL!!

I think now it's only the chocolate keeping me going. But that's ok isn't it, chocolate is a form of medicine, surely??

Anyhoo, it's time for this week's Make It Monday linky party. Another awesome selection of entries from you all. I am so sorry that I did not get around to commenting on as many as I would have like to. Between sick kids and my continued blogger problems it just wasn't happening.

Congratulations to this week's featured blogger and winning commentor. I do hope you click on the links to their blogs over at MIM and go say hi.

Now on to my card for this week. I have to be honest I have fallen way behind and it was a struggle to get this done in time.

I have used "flower Ruby" from Ladybug Crafts Iink and the sentiment is the "Fairy Sentiments" set also available from LCI.

Make It Monday #38 is now open and is sponsored this week by the lovely Emma from Crafty Emma's Store.

The Make It Monday linky party is open again.

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

Mad For Markers New Challenge

2011-05-20T23:48:00.001+10:00

Copic Coloured Embellishments

That's what we want to see for the current challenge over at Mad For Markers challenge blog.

The challenges are fortnightly now and the Design Team have been posting their fabulous creations daily to give you some inspiration.

I found some time today to whip up a quick card for you, to show you just how versatile these fabulous markers can be.

I have used R81 Copic marker to colour the white satin ribbon and E30 to colour the white lace.

Card details

Stamp - Friends 24-7 Stampin' Up!

Papers - Stella Rose from My Minds Eye

Ink - Close to Cocoa Stampin' Up!

Spellbinders - Lacey Circles, Standard Circles Large, Rose Creations

Head on over to the Mad For Markers Challenge blog to see what the rest of the Design Team have been busy creating and get your own Copic coloured embellishments linked up for us to see.

This card is going to be added to the gallery of cards for sale over at

AUSSIE CARDS FOR SALE

I know a lot of my followers are clever little crafters and make their own cards but for those of you who are looking to buy some handcrafted cards to give someone special then you should definitely take a look at this fabulous site.

The selections of cards for sale is just incredible. So many breathtakingly beautiful creations at very reasonable prices.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Michelle :-)

MIM #37

2011-05-16T10:00:00.043+10:00

Hi there my wonderful blog friends, how are you?

Did you all survive the great Blogger Meltdown? I did,but only barely, lol.

I've still been having trouble signing in, signing out, commenting and one of my posts is still missing, but Blogger assures me that it will all return to normal soon.

I tell you what, technical difficulties aside, YOU GUYS ROCK!! Wow, last week's MIM was just out of this world. Another record breaking number of entries for us. Thank you so much to all of you who took part. Sorry to anybody who we were unable to comment on, there were quite a few links that were not working due to the Blogger situation at the time.

Congratulations to this weeks featured blogger and random commentor.

The new MIM #37 linky party is now open over at the Make It Monday Linky Party Blog.

For my card this week I have used a Kenny K image called "Soho"

Card details

Papers - Blueberry Crisp from Stampin' Up!

Cardstock - Pacific Point from Stampin' Up!

Pacific Point Ink pad from Stampin' Up!

Leaves - Two Step Bird Extra Large from Stampin' Up!

Spellbinders Nestabilities - Classic Large Ovals and Lacey Ovals

Flowers - Punch, large and small from Kazazz

Xpress It Blending card from Mad For Markers

Memento Tuxedo Black Ink for stamping from Mad For Markers

Self adhesive pearls - Snow from Kaisercraft

Image was coloured with the following copics

Skin - E000, E00, E11 and R20

Hair, Clothes and Shoes - B21, B23, B24, B26 and B28

I am entering this card in to the following challanges

Kenny K - #45 - Die Cuts and Punches

The Corrosive Challenge Blog - Birthdays

One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes

Paper Sundaes - Birthday Creations

Mark's Finest Papers - Monochromatic Blues

Crafty Creations #118 - Anything Goes

My Mum's Craft Shop Challenges - To Die For

Annabelle Stamps Blog - Monochromatic

The sponsor for this weeks MIM linky party is the wonderful Sammi over at

and she is generously offer a A Hair and Skin colouring guide book for Copics to the second prize winner.

The book has pages (A6 size) with the faces shown on the cover printed inside .. on each page one is coloured and tells which markers were used and the other is black and white.. free for you to colour/ practice on! They are printed on Xpress IT blending card and will be available to purchase through the webstore. Coming soon is a sequel on colouring people (clothes)!

For your chance to win this fabulous colouring guide all you have to do is comment on the submissions in the MIM linky party this week and make sure to mention that you saw them at Make It Monday!

The super talented design team have created some awesome cards to inspire you, so please head on over to Make It Monday to check them out.

MIM is not a challenge blog, more a friendly place to share your creations and find some inspiration.
Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

remember is all about just sharing the creativity and you may even find yourself making some new blog buddies.
And you just never know, next week's featured blogger may be you!

You may link up as many time as you like each week with either your latest creations or an older post that you would really like to share again.
All paper crafts are welcome - Please remember though, all submissions MUST be your own work.

Thank you for stopping by today.

I look forward to swinging past your place to check out your latest creation.

Michelle :-)

MIM #36

2011-05-09T10:00:00.059+10:00

Hi there, happy Monday to you!!

I hope all the Mum's out there were spoilt yesterday.I had a wonderful day , spoilt by my lovely boys with some wonderful handmade crafts (thank you teachers!!) and a bit of brekky in bed.

I even managed to get a card made!! Just in time too for the new Make It Monday linky party starting today.

Congratulations to the winners from last weeks linky party, be sure to head over to the MIM blog to check out this week's featured blogger.

For my card this week I have used an image "Jack and his wagon" from our wonderful sponsor

The happy birthday sentiment is from the "Sentimental Numbers" set. Great set for birthday cards includes sentiment and also numbers in two different fonts.

This weeks Make It Monday #35 is sponsored by

Ladybug Crafts Ink

The lovely Kerry is generously offering a stamp of the winners choice to the value of £6.50.

Thank you for stopping by my blog today and I do hope you will all join me and the wonderful ladies on the MIM Design Team over at the New MAKE IT MONDAY blog. The girls have created some spectacular cards to get you all inspired.

The Make It Monday linky party is open again.

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

I look forward to seeing what you link up for us this week.

Michelle :-)

A card for for my boy

2011-05-05T07:00:00.083+10:00

Hi there my wonderful blogging friends.

How are you all?

Thank you to all of you who stop by to say hi and leave me lovely comments. I'm sorry that it has been so long since I have been to visit your wonderful blogs. With the recent school holidays and long weekends and trying to set up the new MIM blog my time to visit you all has been very limited. I'm hoping to make my way around to you all very soon.

The card I am sharing with you today is for my eldest Son who is turning 8 tomorrow. Gee, how time flies!! It doesn't seem that long ago that he was just a babe in arms and now he is almost up to my shoulders (and I'm not short either!). He is also way more techno savvy than I am and his most favourite thing at the moment is his Ipod and Angry Birds.

So when it came to inspiration for his card I was a bit stuck. I didn't have any images that really suited so I decided to draw my own.

I decided to draw a few of his favourite Angry Bird characters..............

I used some 352GSM Neenah Paper that I got from Sammi over at Mad For Markers for this card. I drew the image straight on to the paper with a fine black multiliner pen. (the poor little yellow speed bird looks like someone poked him in the eye with a sharp stick!lol)

That is the brilliant thing about this thick paper, you can colour straight on to it with your Copics and it doesn't bleed through the back . (Didn't think to take a photo to show you the inside sorry).

The following Copics were used

Green Pigs - B91, B93, B95, Y11 and Y13 (moustache YR61, YR65 and YR68)

Timber - E30, E31, E33 and E35

White Egg Bomb Bird - 100 Black, C3 and C1,blender pen, Y21 and Y23

Yellow Speed Bird - 100 Black,Y11, Y13, C1,Y21 and Y23

Balloon - YR61, YR65 and YR68

Cake - E30, E31, E27, C3, C1, Y13 and YR65

Grass - B0000 and Y000

Blue shading - B0000

Mad For Markers have a new challenge starting to use colours from the Grey family on your project. I didn't get a lot of grey in on this card but if you head on over to the challenge blog you will see some fabulous creations from the Design Team to inspire you.

I would love to see what you can create!

For all your Copic and related supplies head on over to Mad For Markers online store.

Mad For Markers post to Australia and New Zealand and stock a large range of Copic Markers, Blending Card, Masking Paper etc.

You can also check out the store blog and challenge blog for tips, tutorials and inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by

Michelle :-)

MIM #35 - Shabby Chic Roses

2011-05-02T10:00:00.010+10:00

How are you all?

I hope the weather is kind to all of you who are enjoying a long weekend.

The weekly Make It Monday linky party is open again this morning. There were a record number of entries to last weeks party. The Design Team and I had an absolutely fabulous time visiting you all and checking out your amazing creativity.

My card for this week's party uses a digi image from our sponsor called "Vase of Roses"

I decided to print the image twice and cut out the centre flowers and pop them up with dimentionals.

The pale green card behind the image is actually some packing from some Prima Flowers.

This is also the first time I have used lace on a card. Not sure if I got the look right.

This weeks Make It Monday #35 is sponsored by

Delicious Doodles - http://deliciousdoodles.blogspot.com/

Prize

4 digi images of winners choice

The Make It Monday linky party is open again.

Its a great way to show case your favourite card or project to new people.

I look forward to seeing what you link up for us this week.

Michelle :-)