I'M BACK...

Oh my heavens its been so long!!! To make a very long and tiring story very short....I am an RN and had not worked for 20 months; my choice. My family all ended out of work due to the economy so I thought I should help out. Anyway, I kinda fell into this position...I am now back in Labor and Deliver; this time for Mike O'Callagahn Federal Hospital here in Las Vegas NV. There were months of recertifications and training to the "military way". I am on my own now and life is getting better, lol, at least at work...oh and yes the kids are all back working, different employers, even different states (Nebraska, Illinois and now New York!!)... but "Its all good" as the saying goes...oh and guess what???... I am to be a Nana again in the spring..Oh happy days!!, LOL . God is good!!!!
So, I am back to playing with my crafts...for now no pics but in the near future I will have some projects finished.
Oh and I am so looking forward to the holidays!!! I will keep my job for now and play less than before BUT thats ok. I have a few goals in mind and the $$ willl get me there ;)

Take care and I will be back real soon...oh and in the meantime enjoy the music....my style :)

Blessings...

Magnolia Recipe Card Swap

Magnolia-licious has a swap I had never participated in and this time I thought I would join in. In this swap I needed to include any Magnolia stamp with my favorite recipe. Here is my choice; Hawaiian Tilda. Raising my family, this much loved favorite was at every holiday occasion and many summer parties.

Here are the 10+1 we each had to make. I found I dont really like making 11 of any one thing so each has a slightly different decorated variation on the card.
Supplies:
Cardstock: blue Bazzil for the background, yellow generic cs for the recipe, green Bazzil leaves
DS: from an old paper pack, the pattern is a water print
Flowers: $1 bin at Michaels choosen because they sparkle and sheen
Punch: Martha Stewart leaf
Coloring: Copics
Coloring: colorbox chalks ( shading around Tilda)
Enjoy..... and feel free to snag the recipe if you havent had it before its YUMMY!!!!

Magnolia Rain

This Hawaiian Tilda and her friend are my newest creations. I enterd the Magnolia Rain where each month I send cards to 4 different Magnolia Memembers. This month all recieved some variation of this Hawaiian Tilda. The Palm Tree is also from the Magnolia collection.

And, of course, here are the envelope and the inside of the Tilda's card all to match.
Supplies:
Stamps: Hawaiian Tilda, Palm Tree both from Magnolia
Cardstock: Bazzil white, Coordinations pink
DS: palm fronds from an old paper pack I had
Flowers: Prima
Brads: Memory Makers , also from an old pack I had
Ribbon: Michaels $1 bin
Sticker Parrot: $1 bin from Joanns
Glossy Accents: Ranger
Stickles: Tilda wings, flower brad centers
Palm Coconuts: flat stones from Joanns

ENJOY!

Tilda's Mermaid Magic

Simply stated I love the Hawaiian islands. I love everything about them. This Tilda brings back such fond memories of my visits to Kauai and Oahu. This Tilda is already in her new home with Melissa in Magnolia-licious Mingle swap. It was a lot of fun making her.

As you can see Tilda is sitting on a rock in the middle of the ocean..in a cove perhaps...surrounded by the things she loves; sea life and beautiful flowers. For Tilda's background I simply used my Copic markers and not having the airbrush system, I wadded up a Bounty paper towel and colored a good flat spot. I rubbed the paper towel around Tilda until I liked the result. I do this with a couple of colors to look like sea and sky blending together as it really does in the islands. I cut Tilda with my Nesties petite ovals and embossed the edge too. I use my Nesties with my CuttleBug. I then placed a line of glue around her and shook on some of Martha Stewart's fine glitter. I like it because it reminded me of the sparkle of the clear blue waters in Hawaii. The background paper a shade of blue green Coordination paper. I used my waves Fiskars embossing plate and actually used the little chubby embosser that came with it. I tried the Cutlebug but it did not give me a deep enough emboss effect, so I did it the ole fashioned way. I also had a bubbles punch from Creative Memories I had never used before..made cute bubbles for Tilda's friends. I rubbed Chalk Box chalk all over the waves for a color variation like real ocean waves. I then added some Glossy Accents on the embossed waves and bubble holes to add shine and dimension. The flowers are Prima and the leaves Martha Stewart punch. The fish set is from Stampin Up Fishy Friends, I have had for a few years. Then DP behind it all is from a cut stack and I am sorry I don't remember where I got it from. It very well could be Stampin UP DP. I also added some clear tiny Dew Drops for real bubbles and flower centers. Oh, and of course you all know I used my Copics to color Tilda and the fish...just love my Copics . I stuck with Blue Greens and used most of the BG and some YG for shading and blending. A little orange , they actually call YR..go figure... I don't quite understand calling them yellow red instead of oranges or the R and RVs for pinks either. All together I used more than 30 different Copics on the entire card.. I just love to shade and blend. The clam shell is Alota I believe and after coloring I used a clearish Shimmerz all over the shell.

Here is the inside of little Miss Mermaid Tilda. I carried the theme through out. As you can see I simply used coordinating papers. I find that the pattern doesn't matter much as long as you coordinate the colors. So with a bit of embossing, Glossy Accents, Copics, Prima and punch and Dew Drops the inside is a beautiful as the cover.

Ok, now for the envelope. I think you all know by now that I insist on a beautiful envelope to complete the ensemble. So here it is.
Hope you like my creation..

Sweet Butterfly Tilda

Tilda has morphed into a most beautiful butterfly this week. Gotta tell you, it never ceases to amaze me how a project starts out one way and finishes up totally different. Tilda seems to have a mind of her own but always ends up being very satisfactory.
This little Tilda has been created for both the Magnolia-licious Butterfly Challenge and Just Magnolias Sketch Challenge.
The above picture does show shadows because this cards is a totally dimensional card.

Here is how I made her:
I first stamped the flowers in the bowl on my white CS. I then made a mask of it and stamped Tilda right over the mask to make her appear to be sitting in the middle of the flower bowl, just as I imagined a butterfly would. I cut them out as one piece. I then made another flower bowl and colored and cut that also. The second bowl of flowers is poped up with dimensional tape right ontop of the other one. I cut Butterfly wings using my Tinkerbell Cricut cartridge. I cut them in half and Scor-Taped them to Tildas back. More pop dots keep the purple wings forward and not flat. Likewise the antennas. The wings were cut from shimmery paper. The giant flower behind Tilda is also cut from the same cartridge. There are two 2 layers that have been pulled up to make them dimensional. I used my Copics and Shimmerz to make them texturized and shine. I took a flower from a bouquet my daughter had given me for Mothers Day and studied the petals for coloring and texture. Its amazing to me, the beauty in a simple flower. Anyway, the flowers are taped so that Tilda is sitting in the middle. I also choose some buttons from Michaels and sheer ribbon to add more dimension to the card. The ribbon is actually glued so that it puffs up, not lays flat. Thats about it....Oh yes for those that know I use a lot of Copics for blending and creating my coloring.... I used only 19 this time...here they are..........
Face: E0000, Eoo, E11, RV02
Hair: YR23, Y23, E35
Dress: V06, V11
Flowers and bowl: R85, R83, R81, V000, V06, YR21, Y08, Y11, G94, G21

Friday Sketchers May 15 Challenge

Friday Sketchers and Copic Creations Challenges this week.
My newest card is to be entered in two seperate challenges this week. This sketch is from Friday Sketchers challenge this week. The archs and curves in my PaperHearts DP compliments it well. I am using a Whiff of Joy stamp for the very first time. I just got her over at Roses On Paper. Summer has been so kind and has a delightful supply of stamps I had never seen before.
This little girl is so tiny and delicate I had a learning curve in coloring her. I found I must use very delicate strokes and a light touch when coloring her inorder to stay in the lines. Its a technique I am going to have to practice, practice, practice... but I think she looks ok for a first try.
For Copic Creations I learned to color her dark blonde hair with my Copics this week. This little girl's hair uses E99, YR21, Y13 and E33..I first watched Suzanne Deans' tutorials, before attempting the hair.

The inside carries the theme quite nicely. My supply list :
Copics - BV00, V000, YR21, BV000, W2, V04,
BV04, BV13, E11, E00, E0000, R20, E99, YR21, Y13, E33
Papers: Core'dinations, Paper heart, Bazzil
Shimmerz: Bubble Gum, Angel Wings
Color Box Chalks
Prima Flowers
Michaels Metal Hearts
Michaels Ribbon
Martha Stewarts' Apron Lace border punch and Tourmaline glitter
Cuttlebug embossing plate and Nestabilities circle and circle scollop

Someone asked me what I use to glue all these layers together. I use both Scor-Tape and Glue Glider high tac depending on the weight of the layers. Of all the products I used on this WOJ card I think I like the Shimmerz most. Its easy to use and drys fast. I just shake the pot it comes in and use washable eye shadow applicators, the kind with sponges in the ends. I did her wings, a bit thicker and a light coat over her clothers with a swirl around her legs and feet to make her look like she was standing in an angel dust cloud..magical..

Get Well Wishes

One of our good friends, Dix had major surgery yesterday. I made up this card this evening to wish him a speedy recovery.

My first non-Magnolia cards. Hedge Hogs stamps by Penny Black from the Margaret Sherry Collection. I have a few of these delightful characters. I love their whimsical faces.
In this card set I chose 3 of Penny's Hedge Hog stamps; Hedge Delivery, Buzz in the Air and Delights for the envelope. The sentiments are DJ Inkers and Inkado. Card stock is Bazzil and DP is Stampin Up. I used some simple brads from my stash and Nestabilities circle and scollop. Coloring is Copics, I used only 18 this time.
Copics used: Y02, G94,G40,G14,R21, R20,883,RV14, BG000, B93, E0000, E13, E35, W3, YR61, N0, W2 and the blender.

inside.

envelope. very dark picture here but the DP actually looks like old wrinkled paper, lol. Although the pictures were taken at 1am and the lighting isnt that good, the paper envelope really is a graduated very light to very dark dingy grey..... Enjoy.

Friday Sketch Challenge May 8, 2009

This is my submission for Friday Sketchers this week. I really enjoyed this challenge. For Tilda I choose Bazzil cardstock, Stampin Up and DCWV papers. This time I double and triple matted my papers. I used a Making Memories paper piercer and Tim Holtz ruler , I purchased from Cutterscreek.com, that has the holes marked to do a paper piercing treatment around all the different pieces. Fiskers Apron border punch, Diamond Dust Stickles for wings and embellishments and Fruit Punch Stickles for Tildas smocking, and dots on her pants and bow. The buttons I was given by Diana from Magnolia-licious as a very generous gift in one of my orders. Ribbon from the dollar bin at Michaels. Butterfly swirls are Darcie from Joanns. Copics: face: Eooo, E00, E11, pants& shoes :G28, G02, G00, G14, hat, top & shoes: R21, RV21, RV23, R24, and hair: E25, E19, Y17

Using the Magnolia-licious kitten, I played around with the inside this time. I tried to make it more whimsical and fun. Kitty is colored with Copics of course using W2, E13, E17. Remember in all my Copic coloring I have learned to blend, blend blend to achieve the desired effect. Check out Susan Dean's and Claudia Rosa's blogs for lots of tutorials about techniques.

I have been so happy with the improving results of my techniques with my cards, that I just had to start coming up with equally beautiful envelopes to put them in. Sooo....Here is my first real attempt. I carried through my theme and papers, using up many of my leftovers, and repeating my techniques. I made this envelope by opening up a regular white envelope that I found in my stash. I used that envelope as a template, traced it on the back of the designer paper and cut it out freehand. I used my ScorPal to score the creases and Scor -Tape to put it all together. I purchased both from Cutterscreek.com .

So, what do you all think?? Doesn't this card and envelope go well together?
'till next time....


Learning is a kind of natural food for the mind...

Cicero

Magnolia-licious May Sketch Challenge

I call this card 100% BOY. Continuing to play with my Edwin Magnolia stamps...I thought to make another double Edwins card. These boys have had a fun day of running, jumping, playing ball, running by the creek and exploring fun!!! They are displayed complete with dirt on their little faces. Dont they look sweet? I used so much from my stash for this one...only the Copics, Distress Ink, and Jolee' playground stickers were purchased. One note: to make the clouds puffy I used some Liquid Applique and my heat gun to make them dimentional. The Boys are popped up on dimensionals as well.

While creating this card I realized these two little guys remind me of 2 of brothers, Scott and Steve, ( I am the oldest of 4 kids, and the only girl). What one didn't think of the other did and being 3 years apart they were a handful as little kids. I dont get to see either of them very often and its been many years since we were actually all together as a family. SO, ...
SCOTT, STEVE...here's to you..
Peace and Prayers...
Love,
Sis

Spring Magic

I call this card "Spring Magic". Alva, from the Magnolia collection, looks like a woodland pixie dontcha think? I made this card for a Magnolia color challenge using the colors: Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Chocolate and Old Olive. I love flowers.

Alva gave me the opportunity to play with my imagination and use Stickles Diamond Dust for pixie dust, with DewDrops and Darcie Finishing Accents. The flowers are Prima. The papers are Bazzil cs and dp is from DCWV Pocket full of Posies stack. Someone sent me the leave vine ribbon in a swap so I don't know the name of it. Coloring is by Copics markers. This card is hard to tell you the colors I used as there were so many. I am learning that I grap many colors and blend, blend blend..until I like the end results. I used about 25 different colors. That is what I am loving about the Copics they can blend and shade so well.
Well, this was my very first Alva...hope you like her.......
'till next time...

If you have nothing in life but a great Friend, you're rich.

Michele Kwan

Card Inside...

Not the best picture , but I finally finished the inside. I wanted the inside to be as special as the outside. I found a QuicKuts die to cut a video game hand controler and some more stars and baseballs. The guys used to play video games for hours...remember Pong and Atari??? We had them all.
I used Glossy accents on the stars and game controler. Plenty of room for personal messages too. I think this finishes it up nicely, dont you?

Just Magnolia Sketch Challenge for May

I am very new to card challenges of any kind. Its intriguing to try to make a card with certain guidelines. It seems to bring out the creativity in me. This card with its 2 Edwin stamps was inspired by my husband, Stan and his life long buddy, Larry. You would have to actually see these 2 guys in action to understand their bond. The story goes that they met and became fast friends in Kindergarten, and still after all these years are the very best of friends. Years and miles have seperated them many times in their lives, but no matter what they are always there for each other in happy times and sad time and everything in between.
So, I dedicate this card; "Best Friends Forever" to Stan and Larry. (Yes, Coke and popcorn are always their favorites)

Card is made up of: Magnolia collection stamps : Edwin with lantern (removed) is popped up on dimentionals, Edwin Sitting is on the Old Fence . Cap/ball/bat and mitt are Jole' stickers. The vine is a Cuttlebug diecut. The stars are punched from the DP Edwin is sitting on; from K&Co "Amanda Blue". Card stock is Bazzil. The bandaids and the letters are QuicKuts. I put Inkssentials Glossy accents on the letters to make 'em shine. The blue rope is paper twist from Darcie that I found in my stash..must have had it for about 5 years. Coloring is all Copics.

Hope you like it.

Tilda April Mingle

Wow, its been a long time since I finished a card. This one is for Magnolia-licous April Mingle. The requirements included 2 ribbons, 3 flowers and 1 button. I included everything. I really like this one. I have been practicing my Copics techniques. I think I am improving; at least a little. I have a lot more Copics now that Kim over at Cutterscreek.com has been supplying them. Note: Free Shipping if you buy $25 worth of anything. Kims customer service cant be beat.
Ok, back to this Tilda Its called a buckle card. I found an example on ClaudiaRosas Pretty Pressings blog ( her cards are fantastic by the way). Claudia was kind enough to post the cutting directions and I was able to figure out the rest by trial and error...not too much error though. The face I always do the same. Tildas clothes are a mixture of colors. I did not have the exact colors I wanted so I just choose a few pinks and a few greens and mixed them with layering. The paper is SU and Bazzil card stock. My flowers are hand crocheted. I added a little stickles to Tildas dots on her bow and the smocking on her top. stickle Diamond Dust is what I have been using for her wings. This Tilda was a fun one to color. I just leaned about shadow shading..it makes her look like she is standing in her own shadow...makes since I think. I used C1 for the shadows and also shadowed around the entire Tilda. It seems to make her look more alive.

Tilda 2

Little Miss Tilda "SITTING SO PRETTY"

My new favorite markers seem to be my Copics. They have been a challenge for me to master, and I am no where near perfection, but after a few more tries here's my second Tilda. This pretty little girl has a spring feel to her.

Again I used 6x6 Bazzil cardstock for my basic card. Matting with a turquoise cardstock , I used my corner rounder on all papers. I like the way it gives a gentler line to my basic card.
The specialty paper is DCWV: Nanas Nursery. This decorator paper has embossing and glitter highlighting the raised dots. I used my Nestabilities oval scalloped cutter to back Tilda. I embossed these as well. Chatter Box chalk highlights the edges of the white ovals

adding dimension and pick up colors from the papers. Satin and organza ribbon has gold threads running through, adding a bit of sparkle. I made the flowers from Prima , adding Chatter Box chalk for interest. Skittles are the flower centers.

See Tilda's tiny visitor? This little bird is sitting in a basket of Spring Flower Soft raised on a pop dot to give interest.

Inside Tildas card is the sentiment from Stampin UP "A little something for someone special". On the right just a touch of the decorator paper and plenty of room for pesonalization.

Isnt this Tilda "something special"?

MEET TILDA

Welcome Tilda of Magnolia
I have decided to try my hand at card making. After weeks of reading, studying and lots and lots of questions I have finished my very first card. This is my first Tilda greeting card.

Tilda "To Someone Special"

Dimensions of 6x6 gave me plenty of room to play. I started with my favorite Bazzil cardstock, I added white cardstock, border punched with Fiskers. I topped that with more Cuttlebug embossed blue cardstock. I don't know if you can see the fine detail of the tiny raised areas of the embossing. On top of that, using my corner rounder, I placed textured Bazzil pink, embelished with striped spring ribbon. Tilda is colored with Copic markers. To add dimension I used Stickles on her bow and top. Nestabilities scolloped die cutter were used for the sentiment. The words are from Stampn Up. This is raised for dimension with popdots. I made the flower embelishment from Cricut Storybook Cartridge leaves, Prima flowers and silk ribbon. The tiny silk ribbon rose with green silk ribbon leaves I placed in the middle. The Prima flowers are hilighted with Chatter Box chalks.

I insist that the inside of my cards be as beautiful as the outside so I naturally continued the theme. Jolee flowers and sentiment finished off this Tilda very nicely...dont you agree?

I want to extend a hearfelt thank you to all my friends at Magnolia-licious, CuttersCreek, Stamping Scrapping and Scrapbooking Classes...for helping me get started in the wonderful world of paper crafting.

My very first post...my very first Magnolia

Ahhh..welcome, welcome, to my very first post on...
HannahsNana; Creations by Claudia.

I am Claudia Marie Case-Kroll. Come on in,.... take a look around,.... there is not much here yet. I am just learning about blogs and such..but its a start and everyone has to start somewhere.



HannahsNana will be the place where I can showcase the things I love to do. I will play, learn and develop my crafts, maybe even offer a few for sale. You are all invited to follow along with me. I hope in time I will be able to learn enough to share my talents and techniques with you all.

"Nothing happens unless first we dream. "................Carl Sandburg