We Wish YOU a Merry Christmas! (Blog Candy winner, too!)

Hello!! After too long an absence I am back with a card (On 12/12/12)! I only finished this one because I had the day off for a doctor's appointment!  When I'm working there is just no energy left at the end of the day!  Anyway, I recently colored this little Tilda and didn't have a layout decided upon.  I sort of 'dreamed' this card this morning just before I had to get up! I came out just as I had dreamed!

I don't know what it means when you dream about cards, but I'm glad I have this one to show you!  Here is an angled view so I hope you can see some of the dimension. I recently received this awesome die from Memory Box. It's called French Doors, but I used it as a double casement window. I used tips from Kittie to cut the opening in my card for my window. Since Tilda is standing inside I placed my lace curtain on the front of the card and created a curtain rod with a slim piece of expresso and a circle from a hole punch on each end.  The poinsettias are an older stamp from Magnolia.  You can certainly ask Diana at Magnolia-licious about getting it, if you're interested.  Here's the link to the amazing Magnolia-licious store!  Diana carries dies too, and scor-tape and mini images and has great customer service and a frequent buyer program, too!! My card is 5.5" square.

Can you see the pine boughs outside Tilda's window?  I also cut a very simple flower pot for her potted poinsettia on the floor. 

 Here's the inside that you see when you look through the window. I cut three brances from the Impression Obsession pine branch die. They are arranged, glued and then glued up with some flower soft snow and glitter glass added!  A gingham bow completes the look.  A small holiday sentiment will fit in the lower right corner without being noticeable when the card is closed.

 This is the inside left of the card.  I probably should have covered it as well, but I like how cutting another window nicely covers the hole for the window.  I added another poinsettia to cover the back of the Tilda image.

AND NOW I HAVE SOME WINNERS TO GET TO!!

FIRST-NUMBER 12 DENISE

SECOND-NUMBER 14-BETSY

THIRD-NUMBER 42-LIZA

Ladies, I hope you see this, and if you do, please contact me at drowley6@stny.rr.com with your address so I can mail you some goodies!

(Comments are chosen from my last post-THANK YOU! Please see below.)

Have a great day and THANK YOU for coming by today!! I appreciate it so much!!
Cheryl

ETA:  I'm entering my card in the current TILDA'S TOWN CHALLENGE-CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS!
And, remember you have until Dec. 29 to enter our Magnolia-licious challenge-TAG card!
Check it out HERE

CATCHING SNOWFLAKES-BLOG HOP!!

Now that the holiday season is fast approaching (or already here!) I have to get more creating done!  Do you?  Today is a great day to start because the TWO Magnolia-licious design teams have a supern-sized blog hop going on today!  If you've come from RUBY'S wonderful blog, you are on the right track!  And, here is where you can find all the details and links to join us and show us YOUR creativity!  MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS HIGHLITES!

The front TILDA is SNOWY TILDA from the best store (in my opinion) for Magnolia Stamps!

MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS!  I don't see Snowy Tilda in stock right now, but if you're interested, please email Diana and ask her!  She has GREAT customer service!

  To begin with, our assignment (and YOURs, I hope) for this challenge is to create some kind of Interactive Holiday Tag card or Tag.  You'll see my tag below!  Now, besides entering to win a prize in that way, you can also win one by COUNTING!! Yep, counting!  You may notice there are some candy canes hidden in my photo above.  Just hop around the blogs, look at all the inspiration AND count the candy canes!  When you have the grand total just email the number to sjdean@0574@yahoo.com
The prize just for doing that is a $50.00 Gift Certificate! 
Please, leave comment here for a chance to win my own blog candy!

 Here is the inside of my 5.5 inch square card.  EDWIN WITH SNOWFLAKES (#117) is on my tag, which could also be used as a book mark.  Images in the store are now shown in color, for ideas and inspiration!  You can also check in the gallery for Many, many ideas of how to use your Magnolias!

 I can't express how much I love these colors!!

And here's the tag inserted. I used vellum for much of my pocket so the image can still be seen.
I have a little collection of items that I've ordered TWO of by mistake!! I'd love to send them out to a few good homes!! Please leave a comment on my post and I will choose THREE winners (with Random.org) on Saturday afternoon.  If you have, any questions, just let me know!  It's getting late so I will add copic colors in tomorrow when I'm thinking more clearly!!
Don't forget to count those candy canes before you head over to JANE'S LOVELY CARDS! She's your next stop and I know there will be something amazing to see!

Have an amazing day!!! Enjoy this huge, holiday hop!! You have until December 29 to get your tag entered!!
Hugs, Cheryl
ETA: Copics used E000, E11, R30, BG10, (BG72 on Edwin), E50, E33, E99, R81, R83, RV19, R89

CUTE COZY CHRISTMAS BEAR

 

Hello!! Finally, a chance to finish a card!! I'm so happy to be posting today! AND, so glad you came to see! thank you so much!

 This is COZY CHRISTMAS BEAR from MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS, Diana's wonderful store with all the great Magnolia stamps, Scor-tape, so many, many dies and some great sales and a frequent shopper program for very nice savings!!  Here's the linkg to #246 COZY CHRISTMAS BEAR

I've used Spellbinders Labels # twenty-tight for the base of my card. TIP: If I don't have the right sized increment for my layers I just cut the larger size and trim off the 1/8" border around the die cut.
I love red, cocoa and aqua for Christmas cards!  There may be more of these colors to come! My dp is from Papertrey Ink.
I've colored the adorable little bear with copics in the following colors: bear E30, E31, E33 and E35.  Reds are R14, R46 and R59.  His tummie, ears and toes have a little R30 added to the E30.  I used a glaze pen for a shiny black nose and eyes.  There's a little BG10 on his hat and fur.
The faux stitiching is also done with the black glaze pen. I used some opal liquid pearls under my bear and then sprinkled glitter on it while it was wet.  The rest of the sparkle is from my favorite stickles-star dust! The bear is made 3-d in my usual way, but since I haven't mentioned it in a while I will here.  I color, cut and curve the image a bit.  Then I put dimensionals in the middle of the image. Finally, I add some good liquid glue on the edges of the image so the edges will stick to the base.

Guess that's it for me today! Don't forget there is always one (or two!) challenge going on over at the  Magnolia-licious Highlites blog!  We'd love for you to join in!  AND, there's also a Magnolia-licious Challenge Blog with more! Both challenge blogs give away super special surprises to random winners!!
Have a great day and again, thanks for coming by!!
Cheryl

Magnolia-licious Challenge for November!!

Hello!! I have my November Challenge card to show you today! It took me a few days to complete, but I am so happy with it!  Some cards are like toys and this Peek-a boo card is one of those fun ones!!  But, I am getting ahead of myself.  In case you haven't seen it, the new challenge at Magnolia-licous is brought to us by Norma Lee!  She has asked us to make something 'hidden' about our cards!  Please see the blog linked above for ideas on what you can do!   

 I used Norma's picture tutorial to make a Peek-a Boo card!  I hadn't made one in a while and had NEVER made a 6 x 6 inch one, so her directions were so helpful!! Thanks, Norma!! Just click on Tutorials on her blog and you will find the tutorial!  As you may know, there's a window in the front and when you open it up another image slides (like magic!) into view!

 Here's my card partially open and the image is coming!!

 And, here is the card almost completely opened!

I used Magnolia stamps from Diana's amazing store-MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS!  The front image is #337 TILDA WITH LOVIKKAMITTENS and the inside image is #336 TILDA WITH TWO LITTLE GIFTS!  Diana offers a wonderful discount all the Magnolia images, including the newest collections!  And, she also 'gives back' store credit for your next purchase!!  AND, to top it off, now she has some of her best designers coloring images for the store so YOU can get an idea of how they look!  (Which is amazing!)  I've also used an older stamp-the window-from Magnolia-licious for my window behind Tilda.  You could also use some of the terrific Memory box (or Poppy stamps)  window dies for a similar effect.  The snowflakes I used are from Memory Box as well!  AND I could NEVER put a card like this together without SCOR-TAPE!
Please be sure to check out the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog for some fantastic inspiration and consider joining in on our challenge! We'd love to see what you create!!
Thanks for coming by to see what I've been up to!
Hugs, Cheryl

P.S.  Diana has NEW Magnolia dies in the store as well as a sale on Mini stamps and the Mini Storage System!  check it out on the links to the store!

Simply GRIM

Hello! Here is another card I finished with a Whipper Snapper image! 

This guy's name is Grim and you can see him HERE.  When I saw him, I just knew I HAD to have him!! My brother will love this Halloween card!

Pretty simple coloring, really.  I used most of my Toner Grays-T1, T3, T5, T7 and T9.  There's E31 and 35 and a bit darker brown on his sickle (or whatever you call it!!).  I added a little R11 for his cheeks. I tend to make the cheeks pink on EVERYTHING I color!  I sort of wanted to add some bloodshop eyes, but resisted the temptation on this one!  I can always make another.
The green is Papertrey Ink's new green, Limeade Ice-love, love it! I inked the web with SU's Gumball green and then added as much sparkle as I could!!
Thanks for stopping by!!! Cheryl

HALLOWEEN BUDDIES

Good morning!  Another fall weekend has flown by!  We had a pretty nice one here, though!  Saturday, DH and I went with friends on a tour of a local cemetery.  I love these!  It's like a tour through the history of the community through actors playing the "residents" of the cemetery. Then on Sunday we had a 70 degree day!! That's pretty nice for October in Western NY!

 

AND, I made this card!!  I have a number of new Whipper Snapper stamps and this is one of them.  It's called HALLOWEEN BUDDIES and you can find it HERE. 
I used older paper from Bo Bunny for the vibrant Halloween colors!  I love that green and purple are Halloween colors now! 
I followed a sketch by this week's Featured Stamper on Splitcoast, who happens to share my name, CHERYL!  She has a fabulous gallery of artwork!
I'm not sure you can tell from my photo, but I stamped and colored a second ghostie so I could pop him up and give a 3D element to the card!  There are a number of Whipper Snapper images that work well to do this with.  My image is colored with copic markers.
Thanks for coming by!! I'll try to be back soon!  I have some more Whipper Snapper images colored and the new Magnolia stamps are on their way to me from Diana!  Can't wait for the mail to arrive this week!
Have a great Monday!! Hugs, Cheryl

HONORING ALL WOMEN!

The Magnolia-licious DT has moved our monthly BLOG HOP to Monday, October 8 in order to honor all women with our THINK PINK CELEBRATION! Our assignement (and, YOURS, too!!) is to create something pink which includes a treat! We all know women who have gone or are going through the ordeal of fighting breast cancer!! They are our heroes, so this treat is for THEM! We also want to promote the idea that ALL women need to be aware of this disease and do all they can to take care of themselves!  If you're on the HOP and have come from the UBER talented Suzanne Dean's blog-SCRAP BITZ, you are in the right place and welcome!

 My (original!) plan was to create this little backpack in pink.  I made it, but then there really isn't a place to put the full sized Tilda I wanted to use. Though it is a really cute way to give a gift card!  So I printed out my TOTE pattern (again!) and made it in Kraft cardstock with pink!  I've used CELEBRATION TILDA from the SWEET CRAZY LOVE COLLECTION. She is not in stock now, BUT Diana got some stamps from the PINK COLLECTION in stock for this event!  A prtion of the proceeds from the sale of these stamps is donated to the Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.

 Can you see my 'pink treats' peeking out of the top?

 A close up of my PINK Tilda!  She is colored in E000, E11, R30, Hair E50, Y21, Y32 and E33. Clothes are R81, 83 and 85.  A touch of stickles to finish off her outfit and she is ready to conquer!

Here are the pink treats I made-butter cookies frosted and sprinkled with pink to complete the message!
Here's some information about the purpose/reason for Breast Cancer Awareness in October!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) is an annual international health campaign organized by major companies every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer. The Pink Ribbon symbol was used in 1993 by Evelyn Lauder as the symbol of The Breast Cancer Research Fund she founded and is used to symbolize the fight against the disease. We also honor those that have fought the battle and who are currently fighting the battle while raising awareness to ALL women to be aware of the symptoms and to be proactive against the disease. Want to find out more? The National Breast Cancer Foundation HERE for those in the US and globally at the PinkRibbon.org site HERE!

• In 2011 Nearly 1.5 million women across the world were told they had breast cancer
• One-third of breast cancer deaths can be decreased with early detection and treatment
• In the US 1 out of 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer over their lifetime, an estimated 527 women are diagnosed in the US with breast cancer each day

Thanks so much for joining on our special hop/event today!! We hope you'll enter your creation over at our BLOG!  For now PLEASE head over to GRAMMA'S HOUSE OF CARDS, Sharon's wonderful BLOG for some fabby inspiration!
Thanks for dropping by!! Hugs, Cheryl

NEW OCTOBER CHALLENGE!!

Wow!! It's already October!! It seems like school just started and here we are in one of my favorite months! Despite the weatherman's predictions, we had a pretty nice fall weekend! Dave and I took a long hike through the woods on Saturday with friends and I cooked a delicious family meal on Sunday!  And now, Monday is already behind us for the week! Gotta love that!

 Over at MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS, Angela Wood has challenged us to make Fall/Halloween projects, like treat holders!! No problem!! You have got to visit the blog to see the FAB-U-LOUS projects my teamies have created! You are sure to be inspired to join in! You have all month to do so, but why wait! Let's fill up that gallery!  There are so many cute templates out there on the internet!  I went to Splitcoast Stampers-Tutorials, put box in SEARCH and got a great number of choices for FREE!  Here's the link to the tutorial I used: WINDOW TREAT BOX

 For my window treat box I used #121 EDWIN MUMMY and the MAGNOLIA PUMPKIN SET.  Edwin is in stock in mini size, but if you're interested in ordering the full size that I used you will get great customer service from Diana!  I could not create projects like this without my SCOR-PAL AND SCOR-TAPE!  They are must haves, in my book! Have you seen the SCOR-PAL project book?  It's jam packed with great ideas!!

 Here are a few more photos of my treat box.  This one is full of chocolatey goodness!

 There is no decorative paper involved. It's all card stock for strength.  I stamped the cardstock with a damask design stamp from Stampin' Up.  Not sure if you can see it, but I used Icicle stickles all over the place!  I used the other pumpkin on the side.

 The top of one box!  Sparkly Spider!

All coloring is done with copics.  Mummy Edwin is colored in W00. W1, W3. W5.  His shoes are E31, 35 and 25.  Pumpkins are Y17, YR15, 16 and 18.
Time to get ready for school!  Wishing you a wonderful day AND time to create something!!
Thanks for coming by!!
Cheryl

Autumn Tag and a winner!!

Hi!  Here's a fall tag I made when a friend saw one she liked on Splitcoast Stampers.  I used die cuts from Spellbinders' Labels 4-the smallest of the Grand set and the largest of the regular sized set.

 When the sizes are 1/4" inch in difference sometimes you have to trim off the embossed edge to get the layers you want.  That's what I did here.  Stamps used are from Papertrey Ink-Leaf Prints. I used inks from SU in cherry red, cajun craze, pumpkin pie and crushed curry.

I think this would be great attached to a bottle of wine given as a gift for fall.

And, now I have a winner of my blog candy from the previous post. Out of 23 comments (thank you so much!!) Random. org chose NUMBER 10.  That's Frances.  Frances, I'd love for you to contact me at drowley6@stny.rr.com to claim your prize!!

Thanks for visiting today. AND I'm off to work!!

Have a terrific Tuesday!! Cheryl

TWO-FOR-ONE HOLIDAY HOP!!

 

 

Hello!! Now this is the way to start a week! Welcome to the Magnolia-licious DT monthly blog hop!! This time we're really excited to show you a holiday stamp AND a second use for that same stamp! If you've joined me from Mary Giemza's blog, you're in the right place!! If not, maybe you want to start at the beginning and see the entire order of the hop in one place. You can do that HERE!

Below is the stamped and colored image that I used! I decided on #241 LITTLE TILDA from the 2012 LITTLE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION. It's in Diana's store RIGHT NOW for ordering.  The collection is a smallish (but beautiful) one .  The stamps are not small (or mini), they are full size!

 So, first I colored her with R22, R24 and R29 as well as G40, G24, G82, G03, and G05. (I just kept going until I got the green I wanted)!  Her hair is E31, E35 and  E47.

 My layout is a sketch that I took from MFT.  Kept it simple, so this is very mailable.  Just a bit of dimension in Tilda (she's curled and raised, then glued) and in the sentiment piece.  Below is a close up.

 Then I switched entirely and thought about baby girls!  Sugar and spice and all things nice, right?!! With this in mind I colored her in pinks, toned down with some Warm and E copics.

 Colors are R11, R30 and a little R22 on her wings.  He stockings and dress are shaded in E43 and blended with R11.  I added in a little W2 as well.  Her hair is the same as above.  I like the way it came out on the baby card better!  Below is a close up!

This is such a fun challenge and I know the other DT members will really have you thinking 'outside the box' to get creativity going!  One of those designers is coming up next. Please continue on over to Norma's blog, From my Craft Room! to see something to feast your eyes on!  Oh, and don't forget to check into how to play along and win prizes!! Details on the blog linked at the top!

 

My deep appreciation for visiting today! I'm STILL trying to give away my blog candy!  I haven't heard from my winner, so it's up for grabs again.  There's a couple of dies, a six by six pad AND a Magnolia stamp or two!  Please leave a comment below and I'll pick a winner on Friday before work.

Until next time, have a wonderful day!!

Hugs. Cheryl

A FALL HIKE!

Hello!! My motto is, So many stamps, so little time!! Going back to school has really cut into my crafting (and cleaning, and EVERYTHING else time!)  I'm so, so sorry that I haven't been around!

 I am back today, though, with a card for the fall sportsman! Who doesn't love a hike out in the Autumn weather! We've had a beautiful weekend here! Cooler temps and sunshine!  When I first saw the arrangement of these two stamps, I thought it was odd that Pauling had Edwin walking away from his fire! But, I think he's watching it and going on the hunt for marshmallow sticks! I made some for him!!

Edwin is #112 (Hiking Edwin) and the background is #519 (Hiking Background) I used both in the mini sizes, but if you check in at Diana's awesome store, you can see what is available and just email to ask if what you desire is not available at this time.  The store is MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS.

I used masking to get Edwin where I wanted him and copics to color the image with.  I didn't save colors this time.  The branch die is from Memory Box, and Diana carries those too!! I used small white handcut squares (with rounded corners) to make my marshmallows.  I tinted them with a sponge and some kraft ink to get that nice golden brown!  couldn't resist adding a touch of sparkle to them and the fire!

Thanks for visiting and not deserting me here at Cottage Creations!! I'm trying!
Tomorrow is a super MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS DT BLOG HOP that you won't want to miss! And, I better get busy on my project!!
See you soon! Cheryl

AUTUMN SCOOTER TILDA!

 

Hello!! I'm so happy it's the weekend!! It was an interesting first 3 days of school and I was exhausted!! I need the weekend to recharge and prepare for a 5-day week!! Wish me luck!  We have a wonderful, rainy day today!  I can make my trip to Wally-world and get some things done around the house! I'm also feeling the fall creatvie spirit hit me and I want to dig into my autumn images and dies!!

 I started with Mini Scooter Tilda from the TURNING LEAVES COLLECTION at Magnolia-licious. I loooove fall colors, but pink and orange have become a favorite combo too, and I think they work for fall.  I also used the Acorn and Oak leaf from the same collection.  Diana has an extensive selection, shopper's rewards and great customer service!!

The dps are from Papertrey Ink and the card base is white.  I used copics to color my image. My photos aren't very good, but it is a bit dark today.  When I was embossing the image in the die, it slipped and left a mark I had to try to remove so I didn't show you the close up!  Sorry! I did not have time to color another.
I did save a list of copics used this time, though!
And here they are:
Hair E31, 35 and 47
Skin E000, E11 and R30
Pinks RV10, 14, 17 and 19
Oranges Y16, 17, YR15, 18
Around the image T0, T1, T3, C5, C7
Blues B21, B95 and B45

Thanks for visiting!! I wish your weekend to be whatever makes you happiest!!
Cheryl

PUMPKINS

 

I love all things fall!! Well, except for school starting, that is!! I have one hour to find my enthusiasm and get started on the new year! I will do it! After two days at work for inservice I didn't feel well last night at all.  Think after 33 years I was nervous and stressed!

But, enough of that! It's time for a new challenge at I Brake for Challenges!! The theme this month is I Brake for Digis!! For details, please visit the I Brake for Challenges Challenge Blog today (not up just yet, but will be in a bit! I promise!)
I used paper from Bo Bunny (apple cider 6x6) and from My Mind's Eye for my country card base.  The image from I Brake for Stamps was a Friday Freebie digi a couple of weeks ago.  Be sure to check them out to get a chance to try digis.  I'm not a digi expert but I love that you can size to image to what you want for your card or project! Here's the link to PUMPKINS.
My pumpkin group is colored with copics:
Y13, Y16, Y17, YR15 YR18 and E08 with colorless blender.  Greens for stems are from the YG collection, but I'm not sure of the numbers.  There's some BG10 surrounding the pumpkins and T1, T3 and T5 under them

Thanks so much for coming by today!! Have a wonderful day! Whatever your plans today, enjoy the day!
Cheryl

MAGNOLIA-LICIOUS SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE!! (And, a winner, finally!!)

Hello!! The Magnolia-licious DT has a new challenge for you since it's September!! (I can't believe I'm saying September!! I almost typed August!!) Anyway, our challenge, brought to us by Cabio is ANYTHING BUT A CARD! What a great time to make a gift or gift packaging for a fall birthday or the holidays!! Let us see what you come up with, PLEASE!! Details on our blog, HERE!! And, we are introducing you to some fabby new DT members (whose work I'm sure you already know!)  Suzanne has graciously linked up all their blogs in the Magnolia-licious Highlites post!! Check them out!!

 

 I've used the wonderful EDITOR TILDA (#252) from Diana's terrific store!! She has a hug selection of Magnolia and other images (all discounted!), a sale on sentiments right now, and Scor-tape, as well as dies from Magnolia, Memory box, Cheery Lynn, Poppystamps and Marianne! THE  STAMP andSTORE ARE LINKED HERE!  I colored Tilda with copic markers and cut her our (very carefully!) The overstuffed chair is a digital image from Mo Manning sized to perfectly fit Tilda and printed on Xpress it blending card. The chair is colored with copics as well. (C00, C1, C3, C5 and C7) I wanted the chair to stand out so I layered it on expresso cardstock (SU!) then cut out. Tilda is raised on dimensionals and then curled a bit with the edges glued down for a 3D look.

 My journal is covered with some terrific Authentique paper with grays, creams, browns and coral! I looooove it! I used R22, 24 and 27 for her vest and book to match the paper.  There's also some glossy accents on her glasses and a few stardust stickles here and there!

And, here's the back of my journal!  I used the cat die from the Magnolia die set called PARIS NIGHT .  It's terrific and has a lamp post too!!  check it out!

When I cover these journals (1.00 at Michael's) it's very easy to open the wire binding and get the covers off without messing up the pages.  Then I use dp on the whole cover, wrapping it like a package.  Gives it a very finished looeresa k.

The entire DT hopes YOU'LL join us in the challenge this month!! As I said, we'd love to see what you create that is Anything But a Card! You have all month to do so!!

Thanks for coming by!! I appreciate it so much!!

Cheryl

OHHHHH, DON'T GO YET-HERE'S THE WINNER I WAS SUPPOSED TO POST A WEEK AGO FROM THIS POST!  RANDOM.ORG PICKED NUMBER  34!!!
 GeneratorMin:Max:Result:34Power

That/s Teresa from Crafting all Day Creations!! Teresa, I'd love to hear from you at drowley6@stny.rr.com, please!! Send your address and I'll send you a package of goodies!!

Tote bag goodness!

 

Hello!! I have a tote bag I made to contain a friend's birthday gift to show you today!  I'm not really ready for school (or for working everyday again!), but I do love fall colors in all shades!  This tote is a good size! It goes about 6 inches square and the pattern is available for a mere 5.00 from the, oh so talented, Lauran Meader.  Linked HERE  I just leave the top open.

 

 I started by printing the template on kraft cardstock. and assembled according to Lauren's directions, using my Scor-pal, of course!!. The box is held together with Scor-tape-Such wonderful stuff!!Then I measured and cut panels from Summer Starfruit cardstock (I told you I was determined to like this color!) and embossed witha Darice plaid folder.  I ran my sponge (with Summer Starfruit ink) over the raised parts to define the plaid more fully.   Those are adhered with Scor-tape too!

 Here's the back! I love that Lauren included (in her template) a pocket for the back!  It hold my Magnolia tag (cut from Peach Parfait) very nicely!

 The leaves are from the stamp set, Leaf Prints, at Papertrey Ink.  I die cut them and then stamped the leaves on Harvest Gold cardstock in Summer sunrise, Pumpkin pie, and Cherry Cobbler.  The veins are stamped in black.  Of course, Nichole offers the dies, too, so I didn't have to cut them all out!  :)

finally, here's what the tote looked like with a little yellow tissue containing the b-day gift!  Cindy really liked it, I think!  Hope you do, too! 
I still have BLOG CANDY to mail out to someone who leaves a comment on the Magnolia post below.  I'll choose my winner on Friday morning!
Thanks for coming by!  I'm off to school today to continue organizing!
Have a great day! Cheryl

AUGUST MAGNOLIA DT BLOG HOP!!

Hello!  Wow, it's already that time of the month and year!  For August, the Magnolia-licious DT is bringing you projects featuring cards or projects that could contain gifts for students and teachers!! In less than two weeks I will be back at work again! Actually, I've worked some already on curriculum and this week I hope to get my room all ready for the kiddos! It's an exciting time, but somewhat bittersweet to see summer's end in sight!

But, for now, I'm so happy you've come here from Chris Christenson's blog!  She is such a super person and paper crafter and we are delighted that she has joined us on this hop as our guest designer!

I created a box like a did a little while ago for our Christmas in July post!  Such a fun little box to make with four sides to decorate! Here's the LINK to my previous post and the LINK to  the directions by Tracy, too!

 I used the following stamps from the Autumn TURNING LEAVES COLLECTION which are available at Magnolia-licious!  283 Tilda with a gift for you, 3067 Tilda with Pencils, 244 Editor Tilda, and 441 Autumn Sunflowers.  Please visit the store for the best prices and service on your stamping needs, including Magnolia stamps and minis, Scor-tape and many of the most popular dies that are on the market now from Magnolia, Memory box, Marianne, and Cheery Lynn!!

 Here are the other sides of my little box which could contain a gift for the special teacher!  In my case it is for an August birthday girl who loves the color teal!

Thanks so much for coming by! If you have ANY questions about my box, please write them in comments and I will get back to you!! I also have some BLOG CANDY to give away to one lucky commenter!  A recent Magnolia stamp, some paper and a couple of other things to box up and send anywhere in the world!  I'll choose someone on Friday, August 24 in the morning, so please leave a comment before then!

Now, on you go, hopping to Sharon's blog, GRAMMA'S HOUSE OF CARDS!  You can always count on Sharon for something lovely and well crafted!!

Thanks for visiting!! We also hope you'll join us in the challenge and you can find all the details to do so on the Magnolia-licious Highlites Blog!

Have a marvelous Monday!

Hugs, Cheryl