Prize Stash Sneaky Peeks

Here are some sneaky peeks at some of the Prizes on offer this week ... so if you wanna' play then follow the ROOLZ and join in by
CLICKING HERE.

March Madness Winners 1 and 2

WAKEY WAKEY !!

Hope you're sitting up and paying attention folks 'cos here are the first 2 winners ... and piccies of their prizes.

Congratulations ... and many thanks for playing along

Weewiccababe and Owl Whimsy

Please e~mail me your snail mail details BEFORE the next winner announcement or you will forfeit your prizes to the next winner.

... When will the next draw take place?
... How many winners will there be?
... What's up for grabs next time?
... WHO KNOWS??

That's all part of my
March Madness Spring Surprise!!

NB : If you want to join in the fun too, then please check the ROOLZ and add your name by
CLICKING HERE

** MARCH MADNESS SPRING SURPRISES**

IT's SPRINGTIME ...
... and for many of us this is a time to blow away the Cobwebs of Winter ... do some decluttering ... reorganising ... and general Spring Cleaning.
Much as we hate it ... it needs to be done.
Sooooooo ... with that in mind I intend to take some time away from Blogland and 'Spring Clean' both my home and my personal life.
However, so's you won't forget about me while I'm away, I am putting some fabulous blog candy up for grabs.
But you'll be wondering ... what are the Surprises ... plural ... mentioned in the title and what makes my blog candy different to all the others out there?

Well ... there's going to be slightly different format because ...
... Firstly ... there is no deadline,
... Secondly ... winners will be selected totally randomly and ...
... Thirdly ... the surprise element is that prize photo's will only be revealed after the winner has been selected so you don't actually know what you're going to win until you've won it!! (although sneaky peeks may be posted occasionally to whet your appetite.

So here's the ROOLZ.
* Add a comment to this message (only 1 entry per person please) and pop a direct link on your blog (if you have one) telling others about "Max's March Madness Spring Surprises Candy"
AND if you have commented and are also one of my Followers then you'll have 2 chances of winning.
*If you don't have a blog then you can e~mail me if you prefer to be in with an equal chance of winning.

* At random times over the coming weeks I will pop in and randomly select a name (or names!) from the comments list ... that lucky person will win a spot prize!

* Announcements will be made in a separate message, along with a photo of the prize they've won.
Prizes are many and varied and will include stamps, albums, card kits, paper packs, embellishments, ribbons, chipboard, and various combinations of ... in fact oodles of crafty goodies that all deserve a good home.

* The winners should contact me via e~mail at maxinelawson@hotmail.co.uk with their snail mail address before the next draw or they will forfeit their prize.
So you'll need to keep checking back regularly to see if you've won and make your claim before the next draw.

* In the event of an unclaimed prize, it will automatically roll over to the next winner, so they will actually win 2 prizes! Lucky Devils!

*Winners will still be eligible for future draws as their names stay in the Prize Pot so if you're very lucky, you could win multiple times ... it's up to you to keep checking.*

NB: Entries are invited from all visitors regardless of location as I am willing to post overseas ... so join in the fun and spread the word.

**ENTRIES NOW CLOSED**

Creative Card Crew Challenge #3

The Creative Card Crew Challenge this week was set by Paula and she has chosen 'Warm Colours' as a theme.

Papermania Colossal papers, coincidently named Nostalgia Warm, were perfect for what I had in mind and this rose paper is one of my favourites.
After trimming with a deckle edged blade, it was matted onto gold mirri card and then mounted onto a chocolate card blank.

The inside panel uses more of the same 12 x 12 paper mounted onto gold mirri card.

The fabric envelope I made was cut with pinking shears and then decorated with a button and ribbon.
This holds the greeting tag and the gold embossed rose tag which are tied together with more ribbons.

Pink Elephant Challenge 7

Here's a fun little card made for The Pink Elephant Challenge 7 which is a sketch by Robin this week and although I flipped it and mirrored it, it is still recognisable as relating to the original sketch.
BTW ... You have to check out the lovely examples made by the DT ... there's far too much talent over there!

The background had to be textured, so out came the Cuttlebug ... Swiss Dots and Perfect Paisley folders were used ... and I doodled a little on the embossing with a gold gel pen.
The flowers are attached to acetate strips so they dance and jiggle about, which is a bit of a play on the 'Spring' theme, if you know what I mean.

The 'Whoop-dee-do' stamp is from Hampton Arts and I used it because I think it's really cute then more doodling was added with a black pen.

Musical Notes

It was my daughter's friend's birthday today and although she needed a card in a hurry, she screwed her nose up at those already in my Grab'n'Go box ... sighing loudly as she flipped through them soooooooo ... obviously not that desperate then.
I gave in and ended up making one for her.

This was my brief ...
She loves music ... so could she have a music theme please?

She plays the saxophone ... so could I find a picture of a saxophone please?
She likes all things cute ... so could it include something cute?
She loves Purple ... so it has to have purple (NB: no "please" this time)

Errrrrmmmmmmm ... so I had a good old rummage around with the dusty image folders from my PSP days and I managed to put together something that was acceptable.
Phew ... what a relief!

Just a shame the same couldn't be said for the gift she wanted to buy!
We trailed around the shops this afternoon looking for Twilight DVD's because apparently her friend is a HUGE fan.
(To my shame, I've never heard of it).

Anyway, it turns out that it isn't even due for release until 6th April ... so that'll be why we had an unsuccessful shopping trip then??!!!
Still never mind ... she'll either have to have an IOU until then or I have a cute Avon manicure set if she'd like that instead.
Needless to say it was no competition LOL!

Note to self ... in future do the internet check BEFORE hitting the shops and if at all possible order online!

Kaboodle Doodle Challenge 4

Kaboodle Doodle's Challenge 4 is a sketch from Andrea this time and I managed to complete this one well before the deadline of 28th March.

It's obviously another Mother's Day card using K. & Co. papers, green cardstock and gold mirri card all matted and layered onto pink textured cardstock.
Wide pink satin ribbon from my stash is tied in a knot across the bottom and pretty pink adhesive flowers decorate the greeting.

The Pink Elephant Easter Blog Hop

There's an Easter Blog Hop going on this weekend, with lots of challenges, fun, games and fabby blog candy on offer.

So if you fancy joining in the fun, head over to The Pink Elephant and get yourself a'hopping.

Click on the names below for a chance at winning some fabby blog candy ... but don't forget to start at the very beginning (The Pink Elephant Challenge Blog) or you may miss out.

Robin
Lori R.

Angela
Carol

Ann
Trudi
Lori

Creative Card Crew Challenge #2

The brief at The Creative Card Crew Challenge blog this week was NOT to use patterned papers .... EEEEK!!

After I'd recovered from the shock, mopped my fevered brow, gulped down a glass of red and had a wee think, I actually surprised myself 'cos I had an idea ... and it was a good'un 'cos it worked.

This card is the result ... where a combination of gold mirri card and a couple of Cuttlebug embossing folders work like a dream together.
To emphasise the embossing I rubbed a brown permanent marker over it and love how it looks almost coppery on top of the gold ... at least it does to me.

Green Papermania cardstock was cut with a decorative trimmer blade to bring in some colour on top of a white card blank and a smidgeon of brown ribbon prettifies the whole thing.

So ... cheers CCC challenge team. You made me realise that pretty papers are not always necessary!

Baby Card and Box

This card and box is for my sister's friend who recently had a baby girl.
It's very similar to the boxed Christmas Specials I did for my boss last year.

I'm waiting for delivery of the baby's little ceramic foot impression which will be attached to the tag inside.

This can be given as a gift and is removeable for hanging as a keepsake reminder of her dinky little tootsies.

Gold mirri card forms the basis of the gatefold card and the pretty baby papers were from a scrapbook pack bought in the local poundshop last year sometime.

I used the Peony nestabilities for the box lid decoration, (they were part of the humungous boxload of goodies I won from Becks Wish Wednesday CHA stash last month).

RAK ... Random Act of Kindness

Today's post brightened up what had started as a bit of a grey day for me.
Isn't it strange how when you're feeling a bit low, for no reason in particular, something happens to let you know that others are thinking about you ... and that immediately makes you feel better?
Humungous thanks to TwiggyPeaSticks and Susie Little (who are fellow crafty buddies from the Crafts Beautiful forum), because you brought some well needed sunshine into my day, just when I needed it.
PS: My button delivery arrived too so now I have a gazillion buttons to play with.

K I S S card

This little card is an example of a 'K I S S' card.
Not the "kiss technique" which involves, inking 2 stamps and putting them together so they 'kiss' before stamping the image onto card.
No ... no .... no ..... not that!

This K I S S stands for Keep It Simple Stupid!

... a wee bitta' simple stamping
... a wee bitta' simple sticking
... a wee bitta simple doodling.

Sometimes my wee bitta' simple brain can only deal with a wee bitta' simple stuff.

Mother's Day

Made another Mother's Day card this evening.

Paper and cardstock was from DCWV Rose Garden pad, which was a bargain buy at only £1 ... and the observant amongst you will see I have once again been brave with a button (yes ... singular again) only this time I cheated 'cos it's a button brad. Cute huh?
The lovely green velvet ribbon, (it really is green HONEST!), is from Dovecraft ... I lurrrrrve velvet ribbon.
Not sure about the inside of the card which shows the matching paper, but I think I ruined it with the overlay of gold mirri card ... *sigh* ... it definitely lacks something, just not sure what. Maybe some of that velvet ribbon?
Going to sleep on it and maybe the answer will come to me in a dream.

Sooooooooo ... I have another couple of Mother's Day cards to make ... (requests from other people, not because I have lots of mums in case you were wondering!) ... and a few Easter cards too.
There are some family birthdays up'n'coming over the next week or 2 as well, so plenty to keep me busy aaaaaaaaaaa...nd

if I'm really organised I may even get them posted on time! That would surprise EVERYONE ... including me!

Pink Elephant Challenge 6

Just to avoid a possible repeat of last week's near miss, here's my entry for The Pink Elephant Challenge. Can't believe it's already Challenge No.6 ... the theme this time is Buttons.

As you can see, I have been really daring with my use of buttons ... hahahahahahahaha ... NOT!

One poor, solitary 'lickle' button ... can you see it on top of the lace, halfway down the left hand side, all on it's lonesome ? Just a little knot of ribbon for company.

Actually I'm not even sure it deserves to be classed as an entry 'cos it's not buttonS... but no worries.
Just so happens I'm waiting for a delivery of buttons ... but they haven't arrived yet ... isn't that typical?

I've used K.& Co. papers again mainly because they were handy, (but regular readers know how much I like them), and good old reliable gold mirri card was used for matting the layers. Decorative scissors were used for the scalloped edges.

The laser cut lace is from a HOTP card book and pearl pens were used for the ribbon decoration.

Gold Peel Offs offer the most simple of messages ... not very exciting really is it?

Another Challenge ... or Two ... or not!

I was approving some messages earlier and when my friend Ann commented about the number of challenges I've done this week, it suddenly occurred to me that I had almost missed posting my Pink, Green and Brown entry for The Pink Elephant Challenge EEEK! ... SHOCK!! ... HORROR!!!

However ... thanks to that timely reminder, (cheers Ann), I'll just about make it before the deadline and therefore keep my 'attendance' figure for TPE at 100% ... pretty darn good for me.

Not only that ... but the card was also supposed to be perfect for the Sketch Challenge at Truly Scrumptious ... except I didn't read the directions properly and therefore didn't do handmade buttons ... so it's a non~starter there. But no matter - I like it anyway!

This card was actually made on Tuesday - I just didn't blog it for some reason.
Must've been having a severe case of 'numptiness' that day ... but hey ho ... not to worry.

The papers are from K.& Co. ... 'cos I luv'em, luv'em, luv'em ... and the stamped image is Penny Black's 'Guess' again because it's just so cute.

Whispers Brush Markers were used for the colouring in and the 'faux stitching' was done with a piercing tool and a white gel pen.

Sorry I can't show the inside decoration as that would spoil the surprise for the intended victim ... errmmm ... I mean recipient, but if I remember then I'll show it at a later date.

Time for beddy byes now methinks 'cos it's silly o'clock again and tomorrow's a busy day.

Penny Black Saturday Challenge 40

I love Penny Black Stamps, especially the wee Critters ... and as I've mentioned before ... the cute 'hodgepigs' are my absolute favourites.
They were watercoloured with Whispers Brush Markers ... which I'm finally getting the hang of using I think.

The Penny Black Saturday Challenge is a sketch this week, so thought I'd play along and enter this card.

Paper Cellar 6" x 6" Easter/Spring papers provide the pretty background and the various flowers were from my stash, as were the adhesive gems. I also indulged in a little doodling 'cos I was having fun!

Sympathy and Condolences

I think, if asked, most crafters would agree that Sympathy and Condolence cards are probably the most difficult ones that we have to make, but sadly they are a necessity.

I usually opt for traditional black and white, but this time I decided to use an elegant Laura Ashley paper teamed with black and grey cardstock instead.
The message is from a K & Co. quotes sticker pad, stuck to grey textured card which is adhered with silicon gel on top of wide black velvet ribbon and a line of black adhesive gems are placed in diagonally opposite corners.

~ Rest In Peace Ron ~

Vintage Easter

Here is the first of this year's Easter cards and I intended a sort've vintage look using K. & Co. papers because they're one of my all time favourites.

The cute bunnies are a free image from Dover Publications to which I've added a computer generated message before printing onto white paper.
The background was coloured using watered down Whispers Brush Markers applied with a cotton wool ball lightly swiped across.
When dry, it was cut out with decorative edged scissors before being matted onto grey cardstock and then a slightly larger rectangle of gold mirri card.

A rosette of lace and a lilac ribbon continues the colour theme and a white Pearl Pen provides the decoration in the corners.

This card is my entry for ABC Challenge which is E for Easter and Kaboodle Doodle's 2nd Challenge as the topic this week is Vintage.

Tanda Stamps Teaser 89

Sadly I have to confess to always needing a few belated cards to hand.
Did a quick scan of the Challenge Blogs to see if this card would 'fit in' to any of the topics ... and surprisingly it does!

Tanda Stamps Teaser this week is "All Creatures Great and Small" ... so my cute lickle ducky ribbon counts I'm sure and the greeting of course ... tee hee.
Non fray ribbon is fabulous to work with by the way ... just stick'n'snip with no worries.

The paper and cardstock are DCWV from a stack kit and the flower embellishment was in my stash and finally, a white gel pen provides the doodle dots ... dotting is very therapeutic y'know.

Now I really must make a start on some Mother's Day and Easter cards ... can't be late with those!

Creative Card Crew Challenge #1

There's a new kid on the block in "Challengeland" going by the name of Creative Card Crew and their very first challenge is a colour one ~ GREEN.

There's a fabby prize on offer from this week's sponsor One Stop Crafts ... so it's got to be worth a try huh?

The paper and card used is from K.& Co. HOTP and English Paper Company and I felt they all worked pretty well together on this Mother's Day card.

**UK Mother's Day this year is 22nd March**

The image was one of a selection that sweet Tasha, (from Millies Magical Moments), sent to me for my birthday last month and is from Whiff of Joy Spring set (thanks for that info' Ann xx) ... isn't she pretty?
Whispers Brush Markers were used to colour her in before being cut out and mounted on top of the pretty ribbon band with silicon glue.
I especially wanted to use one of Tasha's images as my entry for this new Challenge Blog because she just happens to be one of "the crew."

So if you like joining in with craft challenges ... then all I can say is ... get yourself over there and have a go.
You know you want to!

Get Well Cards

Todays cards were added to a selection from my 'Grab'n'Go' box, that were posted yesterday to Kirsty Wiseman for a fantastic appeal she has running at the moment.

Basically she is organising a mass 'Troops Card Collection' ... the purpose of which is to send cards to our troops, currently serving abroad, so that they have something nice to send to their loved ones. Did I confuse you??

Well hop over to Kirsty's Blog and read all about it for yourself CLICK HERE ... she explains it so much better than I can.
**Scroll down to the bottom of her post for the details.**

She has already had a fantastic response so far ... but if I can spread the word and increase the donations even more, then that's something I'm more than happy to do.

Share A Smile **UPDATED - 7th March**

These cards were made to send to Dorothy of Never Enough Rubber Stamps so that she can distribute them to the elderly and homeless in her area, in the hope of cheering them up and showing that people really do care.

All share the same sentiment, which has just been typed and printed on my computer, as I thought it was particularly appropriate for this occasion.

These words bring back fond memories of my dear Nan, who sadly died 18 years ago and who was one of the kindest, loveliest and most gentle ladies I've ever known. She often used to come away with little pearls of wisdom like this when I was a young girl and I still miss her very much.

Full details of Dorothy's Spread A Smile Campaign and her fabulous blog candy are HERE and if you can help out in any way, however small, then I'm sure it will be very much appreciated ... but please don't win the Blog Candy 'cos I want it LOL!

First Birthday

This card is heading for a special little boy who lives in France as he will be celebrating his 1st Birthday on 9th March.

Nathan is the adopted son of our beautiful niece and her handsome French husband and was safely delivered to them, from Ethiopia, in September 2008.

We haven't yet met him in person but I follow his progress on Lee's blog, chucking in an occasional comment just so's she knows I'm there ... watching him grow and smiling as I see his cheeky character developing through the photos and video clips.
Happy Birthday Nathan xxx

Tanda Stamps Teaser 87

The challenge over at Tanda Stamps this week was entitled "A Bird In The Hand" ... so I thought I'd enter this card which was the result of the first session I had with my new Cuttlebug.
(I know most people and their Aunties have had one for years but I was never known for being in vogue LOL)

I wanted to try all the folders at once ... as you do ... so hence the kind've 'mish~mashed' look.
The purple card has an almost velvety feel to it that wasn't obvious until it was embossed ... very strange.

Offcuts made dinky wee wings so even scraps were saved from the bin.

The patterned paper was included in a birthday gift from Sarah (aka Tiggertastic) and may be from one of the Laura Ashley collections.
I embossed some of it with the Perfect Paisley embossing folder and then cut out the 2 birdies from the impressions before attaching them with foam pads. If you click the image for a close up you can see the embossing on the birds more clearly.
The embossed message was one of the With Love border folders so I used 3 folders for one card ... a bit greedy huh?
A gel pen and gold Pearl Pen helped with highlighting.

Pink Elephant Challenge 4

The challenge this week at The Pink Elephant is Ribbons and Die Cuts ... and there is a lovely prize up for grabs of the fabby Ribbon Holder (including ribbons!) created by DT member Ann, who incidently wrote the easy to follow tutorial for anyone who fancies having a go themselves.

My effort this week uses Little Kitty Aloha which was part of the amazing Wish Wednesday CHA prize I won recently over at Becks Faggs blog. I still haven't made it to the bottom of the box yet ... thank you so much Becks!!

Little Kitty is a Sizzix die but the wee Cuttlebug (which was my birthday prezzie from hubby and kiddlings), coped no problem.
I used brown textured card to cut out Kitty, maybe not one of my better ideas as it disappeared into the Papermania background paper, (hence the need for a yellow border ... DOH!), and Papermania Spring Life paper was also used for her cute little outfit.
Matching ribbons were used to decorate the flower in her ear and also the sentiment tag which is blank for the moment.
Adhesive gems were added for eyes and to highlight some of the flowers.
In case you're wondering, this naughty little Kitty got her nose all sooty from falling in the black inkpad ... whoops! ... lesson learned to ALWAYS replace the lid immediately after use LOL!

FYI : Animals is the theme over at Charisma Cardz Challenge this week and also Cute Card Thursday but will need to check whether they allow entries to multiple challenges. They have some ultra cute stamps on offer though so might just risk it!