300 Follower Candy

Hello Blogging Friends,

I realise I am nearly at 300 followers and I am honoured that so many people are interested in reading my blog.  I felt this was real cause for celebration so I have put together a little candy in appreciation of you all.  I will randomly draw out the name when I reach 300 followers.

What the candy contains:

Some Odd Girl stamp - Gifty Gwen

Some Odd Girl Stamp - Sweet Thinkin' Mae

 (both have been inked up a couple of times)

Flourish with a Bling - 100 Mango Pearl Dots

Flourish with a Bling - Jasmine Orange Puffy

Flourish with a Bling - Green Leaf (Adam) Metallic

Basic Grey Serenade - Flags and Banners

Basic Grey Serenade - Chipboard Alphabet

(All brand new products)

Kaisercraft 6 1/2 " Paper Pad - Black and White Timeless

Kaisercraft 6 1/2 " Paper Pad - December 25th

Kaisercraft 6 1/2 " Paper Pad - Velvet Ensemble

(Some pages have been removed from the paper pads)

So it is a mixture of brand-new and pre-loved products.  If you would like to take part in the competition please leave a comment on this post and make sure you are a follower.

Please let your friends know about this candy too so they can also have a chance to win!

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog.

Alicia xx

Mad for Markers Closing Down Sale

Hi Blogging Friends,

Did you know Mad for Markers is closing their shop??
The challenges will continue to run and will still be a fun place to go for Copic inspiration and fun!
But Sammi is having a sale, so if you want some cheap Copics or stamps you really need to head on over here.

My turn to have a go at the current challenge - Aussie Christmas...which means no snow...I picked this cute little stamp and made it into a Christmas tag.  I coloured her with Chrissie colours:

Skin: E00, E21, E11
Red: R46, R35, R22
Green: YG11, YG03
Yellow: Y06, Y02, Y00

Do you think I could wait for the glitter to dry...no, no no! I had to keep playing with it and so I smudged it a bit..oh well!  I wasnt sure how I would cut her out, so I decided to make her into a tag instead.  Just added some sticker strips and paper strips, a little bit of chip board and a green ribbon.
Didnt take me long, from start to finish it all fit into Nicholas' morning sleep.

Hope your Christmas present shopping is going well : )
If you make up something Chrismassy (without snow) why not link it up to our challenge.

Alicia xx

Some Published Cards

Hi Blogging Friends,

I dont know about you, but I can feel the busyness of the season hyping up a bit.  I am starting to get a bit frantic about presents that I havent bought yet and the fact that I havent sent out my Chrissie cards.

No hand-made ones from me this year.  I am using the free ones that Becky Higgins has on her site here.  Just add a photo and print them out and you are done!  I am really hoping mine will be delivered from Big W online tomorrow then its just put them in envelopes and post them out.

This card above was published in the latest Stamping, Papercraft and Card making Mag as well as the second one from the bottom.  Featured on Pages 58 and 59 if you have the current issue.

The products are American Crafts - Amy Tangerine Sketchbook 

I LOVED these papers and embellishments.

I had a ball making these up for the mag and my fave of all is the very last card.

I have been using every spare minute I get when Nicholas is sleeping to work on my Project Life.

I have a few goals I would love to achieve by the end of this calendar year...

We will see how I go!

Love to you all,

Happy Christmas shopping!!

Alicia xx

A spot of Colouring

Hi Blogging Friends,

My post for Mad for Markers this week is in between challenges so I took the opportunity to colour anything I wanted in any colours I wanted to!!  So I picked this beautiful Saturated Canary image and coloured away...check out that hair!!!!

Here are the colours I used:

Pinks - RV09, RV06,  RV04, RV02, 00, RV000
Hair - 100, C9, C7, C5

Two of my fave colour combos.

I'm off to catch up on blogging comments...

Have a great weekend xxxx

Alicia xxx

New Challenge at Mad for Markers - Ys and YRs

Hi Blogging friends,

Another quick post here today for Mad for Markers using this Saturated Canary image available in Sammi's store here.

I went for a monotone card today using mainly Ys and YRs for the current challenge here.

Copics:

Ys: Y08, Y06, Y02, Y00

YRs: YR07, YR04, YR02, YR00

My cards are getting so much simpler now... I am not as big on embellishing as I used to be.  It could be to do with my de-cluttering of my craft room.  It is rather a slow process, but the more I get rid of, the more I want to get rid of and try to keep everything clean and neat.  I am so not naturally a neat person.  I have to work really hard at it.  Or, it could be to do with the fact that I dont like the embellishments I put on a card as much anymore...not too sure, are the trends changing?? Is washi tape replacing flowers?  I havent bought any washi tape yet, but I do want some!!

Anyway, to leave you on this rainy Saturday afternoon with a picture of our gorgeous boy helping himself to some Copics.  He LOVES them!!!

Thanks for stopping by,

Alicia xx

New Release Swing Digi

Hi Copic Lovers,

Here is a journal page I made using one of the new As the Crow Flies Digis - Swing.  You can get this digi here.  I used yellow Copics for her dress...but shame on me I didn't record the colours!!  I think it was because I made such a big mess making this page!!!  But it was lots of fun.  

Have you entered the Mad for Markers November challenge yet to use Y and YR markers?

I look forward to seeing what you create!

Have a sunshiney day,

Alicia xx

Recent Creations

Just a super quick post while Nicholas is having an unusually long nap.

I made this card for a new little bubby in our extended family and wrapped the present to match.

I am making cards for my cousin's business Natural Instinct Healing.  The first mail out has gone out.  These are the cards I designed with their logo as the focus.  Feel like a health retreat in Bali? Check out their amazing website here.

Also if you are interested in meditation check out this amazing free series of audios to create abundance in your life here.  I am loving it, so I had to share it with you.

Take care,
Love Alicia xx

Project Life Update

Card, Winners and Photos

Hi Blogging Friends,

I havent blogged for a little while...the days have been rolling past.

Here is a card I made recently.

I have had the image coloured for a long time and I found some papers and ribbon that matched perfectly.  This is such a quick easy sketch.  If you have some doilies in your stash, give it a go.  It takes no time at all and looks pretty.

Colours are:

Yellow - YR23, Y08, Y15, Y11

Skin: E11, E02. E00

Hair - E53, E33, E51, E50

This stamp can be purchased at the M4M store here.

Winner of my ribbon candy is: Gin Oaks!!

Winner of the As the Crow Flies Digi is: Merry!!

I will be in touch to sort out details.

I will leave you with a couple of cute little pics.

Have a great weekend,

Alicia xxx

Ribbon Candy

Hi Blogging Friends,

I am giving away 20 rolls of ribbon.  11 of these rolls have not even been opened and still are in their plastic wrap.  If you think you could use these ribbons in your crafting and would like to participate, leave a comment below and make sure you are a follower of my blog.  It is that easy!!  This candy will last for two weeks and then a lucky winner will be drawn.  

Good luck!

Alicia xx

Stamp Sale - Great Bargains - Be Quick!!

Hi Blogging Friends,

In my quest for a clutter-free life I am cleaning out my crafty things and have decided to let go of some Stampin' Up stamp sets.  They are listed here with the price.  If you are interested please email me with the set/s you would like and I will get a postage quote for you.  They are all in great condition and have hardly been used.  First in, first served!!

Set 5 - $10

Big on Spring 

Set 10 - $15

Heard from the Heart

Set 11 - $15

Imagine

Set 15 - $20

Mixed (Some SU and some not)

Set 16 - $20

Sentiments

Thanks for looking,

Alicia xx

Mad for Markers - Journal Page

Hi Blogging Friends,

I have a journal page to share today for the M4M Multiliner Madness challenge.

I have used one of Sammi's digis.  Her name is Charlotte Rose and you can buy her here.

I added some lines on here as part of the Multi-Liner challenge...on her stockings, spots on the mushroom and lines on the stem of the mushroom.  I had all intentions of giving her stripy stockings when I accidentally coloured all the stripes red.  Never mind.

These are the Copics I used:

Skin: E21, E11, R20

Hair: E49, E47, E29 E37, E15, E13

Reds: R29, R46, R85

Purples:V17, V15, V12

Yellows: Y06, Y08, Y02

Other: Black100, W-1

First I used Gesso on the background of the page, then purple and gold acrylic paint.  Then I pasted bits and pieces from my Kaisercraft "Made with Love Collection" paper pad.  Then I added the fairy, ribbons, swirls, pearls and stickers.  I used a gold gel-pen and a white gel-pen to doodle around bits and pieces all over the page.  Finally I journalled using my Multi-Liner.  

I really enjoyed making this page.  I love art-journalling as a way of expressing feelings and it is really fun to get out the paints and get a bit messy.  (I will not show you the state of my desk now lol!)  I love how you can get a bit untidy...and just enjoy the art process.

Hope you are having a wonderful Saturday...

Alicia xx

Clearing out craft clutter

Some thoughts I had on clearing out Clutter.

Check out Sue Rasmussen's website :http://www.unclutter-organize-transform.com/

Thanks for listening : )

Alicia xx

M4M Multi-Liner Madness - Saturated Canary Image

Hi Blogging Friends,

It is my turn to share some inspiration for the current Mad for Markers' Challenge: Multi Liner Madness.  I coloured a new Saturated Canary Image that Sammi has in store here.  It is called Ice Cream and Pickles.  She is so cute! I have made this card for my friend who has just fallen pregnant doing IVF so I wanted to make her a special card to let her know how happy I am for her.  My friend has lovely dark hair, so I chose to colour her hair in black.

I used my Multi-Liner for adding criss-crosses on the ice cream cone and for tracing the cream on the layers between the ice-cream (as I didnt do a great job with the stamping of the image, which is so me, I can never stamp that well).  I dont know if it is supposed to be cream, but I decided it would be on this card!  I also used my Multi-Liner drawing a little border around the card in three places.  One good thing about a Multi-Liner is that it doesnt smudge when you use your Copics over the top.

The papers I used are Amy Tangerine Sketchbook and the Copics I coloured with are:

Pink: RV09, RV06, RV04, RV02
Aqua: BG49, BG15, BG23, BG10
Yellow: Y08, Y06, Y02
Orange: YR07, YR04, YR02
Green: YG67, YG63
Hair: 100, C9, C7
Skin: E21, E11, R20

Here is a close-up of the colouring...

I am clearing out some stamps so if you are keen on a bargain check them out here.  A few sets have sold, but there is still plenty more left.  

Nicholas is sitting up now.  Yay!!! Here are a few recent pics...

Alicia xx

As the Crow Flies Blog Hop and Giveaway

Hi Blogging Friends,

Mad for Markers is having a Blog Hop today to celebrate the As the Crow Flies NEW Release - There are some VERY cute images this release which are just a delight to colour in!

There is:

Pinwheel

Raindrop

Jessie

and

Icecream Boy

You can now buy these gorgeous 4 as well as the release from last month - Here!

 I coloured in Raindrop.  Isn't she a sweetie!!

If you came here from Melissa's blog then you are right on track.. If not please hop on over to the M4M Challenge blog to start at the very beginning!

Also a random blogger who comments on my post will receive this image for free courtesy of me! (Make sure you are a follower of my blog to win.)

Thanks for stopping today for this fun release of the new As the Crow Flies images... Your next stop is here and that is the end of the hop!

Thanks for playing along!

Alicia xx

Mad for Markers Multiliner Madness and Candy Winner

Hi Blogging Friends,

At Mad for Markers this month it is "Multiliner Madness".  That means to enter the challenge you need to use your Multi Liner in some way on your creation.  I chose to make a journal page.  I started with a piece of water colour paper and used a crayon to draw the flowers and border.  Then I painted over the top with pink water colour paint.  The crayon resisted the paint and showed through.  Then I used my 0.5mm Multi Liner and a thicker Sharpie texta to journal and doodle all over the page.  Then I matted the page on black card and pasted into my journal.  The thing I love about Art Journalling is that it is the process not the product that is important.  Art Journalling is all about having fun and going with the flow, getting out your thoughts and experimenting with colour, texture, lines etc.  Different to a card, that you hope will look "good" at the end, especially if you are making it to give to someone.  Art Journalling can be freeing, because it is just for yourself and no one has to see it if you dont feel like sharing.  I find it fun and refreshing and less structured than card making.

The inspiration for my journalling was two lovely friends I have been lucky enough to spend a couple of days with.  We taught together up on the Gold Coast a few years back and they flew to Newcastle this week to spend some time with me.  I had a lovely time catching up with these girls.  

And this is where we spent a lot of our time, hanging out at the pool at the Hotel they stayed at.  The weather was very hot.  So perfect laying by the pool weather (but in the shade as it was too hot!).   

And they met Nicholas for the first time.  He made them work extra hard for cuddles and smiles as the teeth were bothering him again.

Now quickly for the winner of my candy:

The lucky winner is Annette!!!
Congratulations Annette.  I will be in touch with you to let you know all about your win.
I hope to post more candy soon.  Thanks to everyone for entering.
Have a great weekend.
Alicia xx

Quick Card Candy

Hello Blogging Friends,

Here is some Quick Card Candy for you to enter!
These materials can help you whip up some quick little cards for family and friends.

The candy includes:

6 1/2 inch Kaisercraft "Rock Pool" Paper Pad
Kaisercraft Rock Pool Sea Friends Collectables
Kaisercraft Rock Pool Collectables
(That is two bags of different die cuts)
Cream flowers
Green Flowers
Pack of 100 3mm Clear Self Adhesive Rhinestones
Pack of 50 6mm Clear Self Adhesive Rhinestones

To enter all you need to do is leave a comment on this post and be a follower.

Thanks for entering and thanks for following my blog.

Alicia xx

Mad for Markers New Release and Exciting News

Hi Blogging Friends,

You may have noticed I missed my Tuesday post.  Unfortunately the day just came and went and so did the next day...Nicholas has been teething and I havent had much time to get anything done.  But the good news is we have had a day of relief and my Mum has come to stay for a few days so a few windows of time are occuring again.

This card above and the journal page below are using new digi images designed by Sammi at Mad for Markers.  They are so much fun to colour and have only just been released.  Check out how everyone else coloured them up here.

I had a lovely time colouring these up for Sammi.

I am really enjoying making the Journal pages...I am loving writing a bit more.  I bought a new journal yesterday from Kikki K.  Pages already coloured, for me to get down a lot of thoughts circulating in my head that I really want to record, but feel a bit time-limited at the moment.  I didnt want to be dictated by backgrounds and pictures, sometimes just writing and doodling is enough.

I am also very excited about some cards I will be making for my cousin who is a Naturopath and healer.  She has her own company in Bali and you can go there and do a fasting program to lose weight, or just cleanse your body and get healthy.  They have yoga and massage and healings for their clients to feel healthy again.  The company is called Natural Instinct Healing  and you can read all about it and watch a promo video here.  All their clients are going to receive a hand made b'day card from me! A bit exciting especially as some of the clients are very famous...but I am sworn to secrecy on who they are!!

Lastly here are some photos of our beautiful Nicholas and Honey chilling out on our bed.  He is really starting to communicate a bit more with the sounds that come out of his mouth...little laughs for "I like this" and little grunts and groans for "I dont".  We began solids this week as he is a big boy and becoming VERY interested in food.  He has had baby rice cereal and carrot so far...so far so good.  He loves animals and enjoys seeing Honey whenever she walks past.  Luckily so far she has been quite tolerant of his "pats".

Hope all is well with you this week.

Thanks for stopping by,

Alicia xx

Spring has Sprung at Mad for Markers

Hello Copic Lovers,

Well, this is exciting, because it is my first post back with the Mad for Markers team since I had my baby Nicholas and I guess you could say I have been on Maternity leave!

It has taken me five months to get back on track with my colouring and card-making since Nicholas was born.  The Challenge this month at Mad for Markers is to create a Spring inspired project using G and YG markers.  I have used a Some Odd Girl stamp called "Smell the flowers Tia"you can buy this stamp in Sammi's store here for $9.  I have created a journal page using water colour paints for the background.  I coloured the image with Copics using these colours:

Grass: YG03, G94, G99, G14, YG23

Skin: E11, E00, R20

Hair: R59, E37, YR23, Y21

Purples: V09, V06, V04

After making this journal page, I realised I have not used really that many YGs and Gs so I thought I should make another card that is purely green. So I made this one for my neighbour whose birthday it is this week.  He loves skating and skate boards.  This stamp is also available in Sammi's store here.

For this card I used 

G21, G17, G28, G14, G05, G85

YG03, YG11, YG41, YG06, YG03

and B93 for the outline.

Link up your G and YG colour creations to our challenge here.  

Here are some pictures of Nicholas.

Don't forget to enter my candy here.  Only a few days left to enter!!

Alicia xx

My Weekly Post

Hello Blogging Friends,

How has your week been??  Have you heard the song "Days go By" by Keith Urban??  It hit me this week as I was listening to that song and the lyrics finally made sense to me...the weeks are just flying by, life is going by so quickly.  If you have never heard the song you can watch and listen here.  I kind of wish life would slow down a little...  Keith says we better start living...  I often think about this.  Trying to enjoy life and make the best of it.  I have been so conscious since we had Nicholas to enjoy and treasure every moment.  He is five months old now and has brought us so much joy.  Life is different now... I have very little time to make cards or blog.  I used to have so much more time...but it is replaced with other beautiful things like snuggling up to Nicholas and watching him smile, giggle and grow (and cry!).  It has all been about getting to know his personality and trying to figure out the things he needs and what makes him feel safe and loved.  

In my quest for better organisation, and after much Pinterest research I have come up with this arrangement on my fridge.  From the left: a Weekly Meal Planner and Shopping List, A Daily Planner, A Weekly Planner and a Weekly Planner Job List for each day of the week.  This has been working well to keep me motivated in cooking dinners and cleaning the house.

Ooops! I have nearly forgotten to tell you about the cards at the top.  These were published.  A set of Ten Quick Cards.  They are actually little note cards and have been very handy in sending out little notes to family and friends.  Made using Kaisercraft Hummingbird papers and die cuts.

Lastly some pictures of Nicholas growing.
He can sit up in the bath now and splash.

We have bought him a toy he can sit in and bounce in and play with moving toys.  It takes batteries and makes noises and lights flash etc.  This is to assist me do a few little jobs around the house and to give him a bit of learning and fun.  He loves it for short time periods.

Lastly a photo of Nicholas and I playing around.  He loves to be held up in the air.  The teeth are still bothering him.  The two bottoms are making their way up, but it is now the top gums that seem to be causing him distress.

Well thats it from me for another week.  

See you again soon,

Alicia xx