Sunday, August 15, 2010

LAND OF MAGNOLIA -GRAND PRIZE WINNER - MONICA MERKEL

Hello Friends, It is my very great pleasure to share with you today the story and project created by Monica Merkel, the Grand Prize Winner in the LAND OF MAGNOLIA CONTEST held earlier this year. Before I explain and show you Monica's project enjoy her wonderful story.



Land of Magnolia, is it real or a place that we hold in our hearts? From childhood to adulthood, we go on searching and searching for such a land. A magical place, that brings happiness and joy for those who dare to enter.  Our dear Tilda’s and Edwin’s, dancing from the life we give them—colors and sparkles to make us giggly out loud. Visions in our heads of seeing Tilda in her garden, on her picnic quilt, basking in the sunshine with the birds and butterflies glowing around her. One can only wonder, what is she dreaming about?  Could it be about cooking in her kitchen? Sautéing those mushrooms on her stove, or making a pumpkin pie for the holidays? Yes, we wonder about all of this when in the distance we hear music playing. We can almost see Tilda sitting up a little more and gently brushing off the single butterfly that landed on her knee as she looks around.  Turning ever so slightly and seeing Edwin sitting on a log playing his guitar and tapping his foot. “Come on over” he yells to Tilda,” sing with me”.  She gets up, goes dancing through the gate and giggles as she sits on the pile of hay next to Edwin.
“What are you singing about Edwin”?  said Tilda.  “Ah, nothing much, just how happy I am” said Edwin. “Yeah”, said Tilda, “if you could be doing anything right now, what would it be”?  “I’m happy with you, BUT, if I had a second choice, I’d be down at the dock with my pole and pail of worm’s fishing.” said Edwin.  Edwin starts singing and playing the guitar and Tilda smiles, thinking she is his first choice.  She is really lucky to have such a good friend; they have done so, so many things together.  Tilda is thinking back to her school days with Edwin, their graduation, the safari trip in the bus, all the animals they saw—even that huge waterfall !!!  The Easter egg, how could she have forgotten about that?  Edwin was so excited and proud when he had his picture taken holding the biggest egg found in the egg hunt---ah, how was he to know it really was a goose egg?  Could it have been when Mother goose hissed at him and started chasing him?  She giggles in her head when she thinks of those lazy summer days in the water, even floating in that tube was fun----but eating those ice cream cones was the best. Even Halloween, now that was an adventure with Edwin. If only she could have gotten him to ride the magic broom, or eat that special mushroom that she made just for him-- sigh—maybe next year.  They sure were an odd sight—he with a green face and she with her green hair. Yep, she sure has done a lot with Edwin, even ice skating, throwing snowballs and making that snow angel in the snow. And on Christmas morning when Edwin snapped a picture of her sitting on the floor wrapping a present that she had forgotten to wrap.  A smile comes on Tilda’s face thinking of Edwin playing the bartender at the New Years’ party……….
“Hey Tilda” yells Edwin, “aren’t you gonna sing with me”?  “Yes” said Tilda giggling, but in her head she was thinking about all the new adventures to come in the Land of Magnolia.


The project consists of a "Chest of Drawers" and a series of "Story Plates" which are magnetized. The plate "sticks" to a magnetized easel on top of the chest, which folds down when not in use. There is also a huge selection of Tilda and Edwin images and accessory pieces which are also magnetized. You place these on the plate and create wonderful scenes that lead to a "story time" indeed. You can store the plates in the side cupboards and the images in the three drawers; packs away perfectly. Monica I can only imagine the hours of delight I will share with my granddaughter when she is a little older playing with Tilda and Edwin. You and your very talented husband, who you shared made the magical  chest of drawers, have created an heirloom  which our whole family will treasure for many years to come. Without further adieu ......the magic unfolds.


The Magical "CHEST OF DRAWERS"

"TILDA IS BAKING"

"I LOVE YOU"


"IT'S GRADUATION TIME"


"SUMMERTIME"
                                                                      

  "ICE CREAM"



" ON SAFARI"

"TIME FOR SCHOOL"

"HALLOWEEN"


"SKATING"



"ALL TEN STORY PLATES"




Be sure to leave Monica some love!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

LAND OF MAGNOLIA -2ND PRIZE WINNER - RUBY MONTES

Hello friends,
I am thrilled to share with you the stunning entry that won 2nd prize in our Land Of Magnolia contest. It is the very talented Ruby Montes. Ruby coloured over 50 Magnolia images to create her scenes and her story is written in rhyme. Enjoy, it is fabulous!
  

Magnolia Land Through The Seasons

Welcome to the divine place of Magnolia world.
Where day dreams and imagination twirl and whirl.
In this magical place don’t be surprised to find,
adventurous kids with wings, they’re one of a kind.
Here you find Tilda and Edwin who love to play,
with their friends at the barn, the park or by the bay.






During the months of spring, Tilda takes advantage,
to plant a garden with herbs, mushrooms and cabbage.
Eating warm soup is sure to take away the gloom,
that lets the kids enjoy spring in all of it’s bloom.
Fresh pink flowers cover the ground of a white church,
witnessing the marriage of two who've ended their search.
The season soon changes and new fun will ensue,
giving the children new adventures to pursue.


The summer brings them heat and also much delight,
that will leave them the bliss of a funky kite flight.
It’s in June that they find comfort with each other,
going fishing with their mother and their father.
They cant forget the worms if they want to make a catch.
They’ll cook up fish-n-chips and eat them by the batch.
Fun summer days are full of sunshine in July,
Edwin chases after a magic butterfly.
Yes, in the beautiful outdoors he spends his time,
but he’d rather get a drink with a little bit of lime.
Its off to get ice cream with Tingla in August,
they look after her much because she’s the youngest.
The season soon changes and new thrills will follow,
into the season that gives them creepy Eves Hollow.


Angel-children look forward to the colors of fall.
Picking the biggest pumpkin, they’re sure to have a ball.
By the town square with a rickety gate, a spooky house stands.
The children pass with closed eyes but their courage expands.
The autumn season will leave the children some frights,
but not without eating bags of sugary bites.
The season soon changes and new memories will be made,
when the outdoors are glittered white and brightly displayed.



There’s nothing like winter for hot cocoa and snow,
cuddling with old Rufus, when it’s thirteen below.
Alva and Alf, always ready to spread the joy,
so that it may live in every little girl and boy.
Carolers will soon arrive to knock at the door,
and everyone applauds for them to sing more.
Baby Alvin sits with pacifier in hand,
waiting for Santa, and expects it’ll be grand.



The night continues and gradually grows noiseless,
but out of the night a few familiar voices.
It’s Tilda and Edwin with a whole-hearted wish.
They promise forever they’re family to cherish.
They continue their prayer for all to believe,
in the magic of friendship and love that’s received.


The season soon changes and a new year will be
The perfect beginning for a sweet memory.

Ruby Montes


Friday, May 7, 2010

STRAIGHT THROUGH THE HEART - CONTEST WINNERS

HI, DRUM ROLL PLEASE...WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS of our STRAIGHT THROUGH YOUR HEART CONTEST! My staff have chosen the winners and they are....

GRAND PRIZE WINNER is Candy Mills.



All of the elements are gorgeous! Something my staff loved was the fact that Candy used "black" grass and then a background layer that was also black. They thought this was very striking. The coloring is superb and love all the sparkle!

1ST RUNNER UP is Rosemary Bridges.





What an audience this is for the "Magnolia Archery Contest". We reckon Chef Edwin is on his lunch break from the "Magnolia Cooking School". Stunning card so many elements...LOVE the "Bulls-eye"!


2ND RUNNER UP is Glenda Mollett. Glenda's coloring is superb.





Glenda's coloring is superb! The colors are simply "delicious". Wonderful elements pull together creating a wonderful flow to the card. Love the butterflies!

OUTSIDE OF THE BOX WINNERS.
We have 3 winners, Sue Morris, Cissy Teeter,Tammy Schram. My staff couldn't decide as they are all wonderful creations.


Sue's card is a collapsible box card. The composition of this card is excellent, all the right elements to create a wonderful scene. I love the colors. 










 A beautifully decorated heart wreath frames Archer Tilda, a clever composition. The coloring is excellent!

 




Tammy created a beautiful seed packet heart embellished with the lovely Tilda. Keeping the heart theme is excellent. Don't you just love the "roses" and the sequins, perfect embellishments.




RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR winner is Christina Carstensen.





I love the old world quality Christina brought to her card. You can imagine Tilda is deep in Sherwood Forest surrounded by lush greenery. A stunning card!!


I would like to show you the other entries as they are each very worthy of showing. They are in 
random order. The name of the artist is above the photo.

Anne Cecile Lanquetin


 Love the tree and hearts, border too!!


Barb Fleming

Flower Soft, flowers and a beautiful cracked heart and such dimension to Barb's card.




Charlene Randall
A shadow box is the perfect card fold to showcase the Old Oak.

Julie Glasgow
 
 
 This step card creates the perfect spots for all the wonderful elements on Julie's "CardART". Love the grass! 

Miranda van der Kratts

 Miranda creates a shabby chic look, love the ribbon!

Pam Berrisford



Pam created two wonderful cards for the contest. Each are stunning!! 
Thank you to everyone who entered the contest. As you can see by all the extra-ordinary entries it was a difficult job for my staff to pick the winners. Everyone is a winner though as you will each receive this stamp just for taking part.