Season's Greetings

It's been a long while since I got my Waltzing Mouse stamps, and I haven't had time to ink them up!  And, there's the Graphic 45 Christmas Past paper pad sitting near my desk still waiting to be used.  And (gosh!)...there's actually more than one Christmas paper pads, LOL!  Sometimes I think I don't have enough Christmas papers and I'd buy some, then realised oops Christmas is almost around the corner and I don't have enough time to make all that I wanted to.. ;) Get to work, girl!!

Here's one of the cards I made:

The card was made based on Waltzing Mouse (WM)'s sketch #25.  The card measures 4 1/4" x 4 1/4", using WM Vintage Labels 1 stamp,with Spellbinders Label 1 die for the focal image with a tag from Graphic 45's Christmas Past.  Really fast and easy one.

I'll post more cards over the next few days.

Have a Lovely day!

Stamps : Waltzing Mouse Vintage Labels 1, Hero Arts (sentiment, I forgot the name of the set)
Paper : Red cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Mitten Weather, Graphic 45 Christmas Past
Ink : Versamark
Others : White embossing powder, Epoxy button (Little Yellow Bicycle), Jute twine, PTI Twill ribbon, Spellbinders Labels 1, Sakura White gel pen.

A Note of Encouragement

A friend of mine asked if I could make a card for her brother, who needs some encouragement.  She saw an earlier card of mine with a sentiment she thought would be perfect. 

So, here's take two with the same sentiment stamp...

I'm also playing along with Stampin' Sisters in Christ's Challenge #67.  How true that life is often filled with so many challenges.  In the past week, I've heard sad news of friends' loved ones with cancer, passing away, etc.  My father has been having not-so-good days too, and often when he has days like such, we will pray with him, encourage and reassure him that God cares for him.  Despite his condition (Alzheimers) he finds this comforting.  I'm also learning to understand him, and to seek for wisdom in caring for him.  Even meal times can be trying, but I guess I'm learning to just love him as he is.  There's always something good in all the difficulties/challenges we face.

May you experience God's grace today. Thanks for visiting ;)

Stamps : Unity KOM Aug 09, Unity Birdie Duet
Paper : BasicGrey Kioshi, Making Memories Ledger paper
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Vintage Sepia, Distress Ink Tea Dye & Vintage Photo
Copics : Ground :YG91, YG95, YG97; Flower: YG05, V04, RV00, RV29 Sun: Y02, Y11, Y15; Bird: YG01, BG000, BG02; Sky: BG0000; Outline: E37
Others : Sakura white gel pen, jute twine, Spellbinders Labels 8

A Year of Borders - Final day!

Time really flies when you are having a great time, and I've had so much fun creating with Melanie's "A Year of Borders".  The more I use the stamps, the more I see new possibilities - I'm sure you can tell how much I've enjoyed the set. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have posted such encouraging and lovely comments on Melanie's blog for me as well as visiting my blog.  I sincerely appreciate it & I hope you have been inspired too.

Here's my last project as Melanie's Guest Designer. It's a masculine gift box with a clear window panel. 

I know some of us may find it challenging creating a card or project for a guy; finding the right colours & designs may not always be easy.  I love playing a 'think out-of-the-box' challenge on my own when I have a little more time to create.  I guess I sort of miss that part of my job, but wait... I can apply the same principle to stamping!   So, for this project, I thought I'd try to create something masculine with "A Year of Borders" using a feminine paper collection. Here, I've used the patterned paper from BasicGrey Kioshi and a neutral ledger paper from Making Memories with A Year of Border's leaves border stamp.

Here's a photo of the empty box (you can see the floral pattern on the inside of the box), and a close-up photo of the pinwheel:

To make the pinwheel, cut a 2"x2" piece from the ledger paper and stamp both sides (at an angle) with the Leaves border stamp.  Then, cut along the lines as shown on Diagram A below and punch tiny holes as indicated on the diagram.  Take care when you punch the holes that you don't tear the paper.  I used a 1/16" hole punch.  Then use a pencil and roll the edges of the paper where the punched holes are.  This makes it easier to bend the paper towards the centre.  Secure the pinwheel with a brad.  I used a green brad coloured with brown copic marker (E29), and left it looking a bit distressed.


Diagram A

Next, stamp the leaves borders on a white cardstock several times.  Then fold the cardstock and run it through a crimper diagonally. Cut the crimped paper into leaf shapes, you will need 4 pieces. Sponge some Distress Inks Shabby Shutters and Antique Linen on the leaves.  Add them to the pinwheel using some scor-tape and the pinwheel is done.

The box was made using half a sheet of 12"x12" paper, and measures 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1 1/4".  You can use any of your favourite box templates, and use Spellbinders Labels 4 die (or any of your favourite dies) to cut out a shape in the centre of the top/front panel of your box.  Then adhere a piece of acetate (with Glossy Accents) behind that panel and the window of your box is done.  I also made a tag from the ledger paper with a smaller Labels 4 die, added a strip of the patterned paper and tied it the pinwheel with Baker's twine.

I hope you'll try this project.  I think the box would be perfect to hold some chocolates, or a little something for a guy.

Thank you, Melanie, for having me be your Guest Designer for this versatile stamp set A Year of Borders.  I am so thrilled to get to know you, and so honoured that you had faith in me.  I know I will be looking forward (eagerly!) to more wonderful stamp sets from you.  God bless!

Thank you for visiting me, and have a Blessed day!

Poinsettia Box

It's the weekend again...so glad!  I hope you'll have some time to be creative this weekend.  As for me, I'm trying to finish up Christmas cards as I'm running behind.  It's funny, I say that every year.

Today, I'm posting the instructions for Poinsettia Box which was posted on Melanie's blog a few days ago.  I had a lot of fun making the box, and I hope you will try it.  The box can be used to store little goodies as a Christmas gift or to store 3"x3" notecards, like what I did in the picture below.

Click here to download the instructions.

I'm still learning how to attach documents for download.  Just for your info, I've also fixed the link on the previous instructions on the Recessed Windows Butterflies card too, so now, you can download the instructions.

Ok, that's it from me.  Be on the lookout for my last week with Melanie using "A Year of Borders" coming up on Sunday.

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Masculine Messages (sentiment on cards)
Papers : Imaginisce & cardstock
Inks : Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics (R39, R24, R27, YG17, YG97, E33, E35)
Others : i-rock crystals, EK Success Dotted Lace Border Punch, Sakura Pigma Micron sepia 05

A Year of Borders - Week 3

Happy Wednesday! I hope your week is going well.  I'm glad to be sharing another idea using "A Year of Borders" by Melanie Muenchinger.  It's a tag card featuring the shells border stamp.

Here's the card:

This tag is inspired by Gina's video Scalloped Oval Card.  The card (using GKD Ivory cardstock) measures 4" in diameter, and is cut using the Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles - the largest circle die.  Cut 2 pieces and on one of the pieces, score along 1/2" from the top. Adhere the 2 pieces together at the top until the scored line on the back piece.  Watch Gina's video to help assemble the card.

The smaller scalloped circle in the centre is cut using Spellbinders Classic Scalloped Circle Large, the 2nd smallest die, and sponged lightly with Distress Ink Tea Dye and placed in the centre of the card with foam adhesive.  Stamp the shells border on a white cardstock 3 times with Memento London Fog.  Colour with copic markers E0000, E00 and E02. Trim all the shells, and arrange them around the outer edge of the scalloped cut-out shape and adhere with foam adhesive.  Stamp the shell from Melanie's stamp set "Gifts from the Sea" using Memento Tuxedo Black and colour with the same copic markers. Cut out the shell and adhere on the smaller circle with foam adhesive as shown.  Add dash lines all around the tag and the inner circle as shown.  Punch a small hole (1/16") at the top of the card and string a strand of bakers twine.  Add a small bow to finish up the card. 

I hope you like the card and will try this idea.

Have a great day and Happy Thanksgiving to all friends in the US!

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Gifts from the Sea
Cardstock : GKD PLC Ivory & White
Inks : Memento Tuxedo Black & London Fog, Distress Ink Tea Dye
Copics : E0000, E00, E02
Others : Spellbinders Big Scalloped Circles, Classic Scalloped Circle Large, Sakura Pigma Micron Sepia

Butterflies Recessed Window Card

Weekend is here, and I finally finished the instructions for the Butterflies Recessed Window card which was recently published on Melanie's blog.  To tell you the truth, I had thought of making a video on how to make the card, but I've never recorded myself before, and would need a lot more time to learn and edit.  So, for this time, I'll just do a written instruction.

Here's the card :

A closer view

So, here's my instruction. 
I hope you will try to make this card.

Have a lovely weekend!

Lollipop Girl

Today's card has one of my favourite "My Favourite Things" Pure Innocence stamps.  I love the lollipop the little girl is holding and I wanted to make it really colourful.  After I was done colouring the entire image, I had quite a bit of problem deciding how to finish up the card.  Spent some time rummaging through all my cardstock, before I found a perfect one for the image.  Here's the finished card:

On the cardbase, I embossed the centre using a Cuttlebug embossing folder Morrocan Screen.  The polka dot patterned paper is from October Afternoon, and I used my Fiskars scalloped border punch and adhered it to the card.  The cream ledger paper is from Making Memories.

Enjoy your day!

Stamps : MFT Pure Innocence Lollipop Girl
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black
Patterned papers : October Afternoon Ducks in a Row, Making Memories
Others : Spellbinders Petite Ovals & Petite Scalloped Ovals, White gel pen, Copic markers

StampTV Sketch Challenge STVSKSP2

I had so much fun with the border stamp "A Year of Borders" that I had to make another card with it.  Today's card was inspired by the sketch at StampTV STVSKSP2.  I've added the link so you can check it out and play along if you like.

Here's the sketch:

And here's my card:

I flipped the sketch around (180 degrees).  What I did was punch both ends of a teal coloured patterned paper using Martha Stewart's  Garden Trellis punch.  Then added the floral border with foam adhesive on the lattice punch-out.  The border was slightly longer than the card, so I used the leftover trimmed piece to be placed next to the sentiment. 

This card is also dedicated to you - "Thank You" for visiting me today.

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Wild At Heart (sentiment)
Paper : GKD Ocean Mist cardstock
Others : Martha Stewart Garden Trellis punch, Sakura White gel pen, copic markers 

A Year of Borders - Week 2

Hello again.  I hope you are having a wonderful week so far.  Today, I'm sharing another card using Melanie's new stamp set "A Year of Borders".  For this card, I used one of the border stamps to coordinate with another of Melanie's gorgeous set "Buds and Vases".

Here's the card:

What I've done was to colour all the images (with copic markers), then cut them out.  I also made a frame (measuring 3.5"x 5") from black cardstock and added some faux stitching with white gel pen all around the frame and adhered it to the cardbase.  Then I arranged and adhered the border, vase and flowers onto the cardbase with foam adhesive.  Placed the sentiment at the top right hand corner (with foam adhesive).  The sentiment was cut with Spellbinders Big Scalloped Oval die and sponged with some Distress Ink (Shabby Shutters).  While I'm typing this, I'm thinking perhaps the border flowers could also be cut up and arranged around the base of the vase - that might be more interesting.  Perhaps an idea for another card?


Do let me know what you think of the card, and Have a wonderful day!

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Buds and Vases
Copics : Flowers : R81, R83, R85 ; Leaves : YG01, YG3, YG17

Card Patterns Sketch #90

It's been a long while since I played at Card Patterns, but since I've been busy making Christmas cards I thought why not try one with the challenge sketch.

Here's the card:

Decided to use very simple stamping with different inks and arranged them as per the sketch. The inchies are cut outs from stamped images and mounted on foam adhesives.  Then, added faux stitches with white gel pen all around the card and the strips of red cardstock (seems to be my favourite thing to do;)).

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Stamps : GKD Vintage Borders, GKD Blessed is the Season, GKD Fanciful Tags (sentiment)
Paper : GKD PL cardstock Fresh Asparagus, scraps of red cardstock and patterned paper.
Inks : Versamagic Tea Leaves & Red Magic, Versafine Onyx Black, Colorbox Frost White

Birthday Card

Happy Monday!  Today, I'm sharing a Birthday Card.  I played along with StampTV's colour challenge, using the colours Turquoise, Red and White.  I seem to have friends & family whose birthdays fall on the first half of the year.  In order to be a little organised, I should make a few birthday cards to stock up.

Here's the card:

I couldn't find a suitable turquoise card or paper, so I had to use ink and ribbon to help.  Firstly, I cut the white cardstock (4x5.25") and embossed it with the Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Then inked the embossed image with Versamagic Sea Breeze which is a lovely turquoise chalk ink.  Stamped the candles with the same ink and mat them onto red cardstock, and adhered to the card using foam squares.

This card is going to a friend of mine.  I hope she will like it ;)

Stamps : GKD Candles on your cake
Inks : Versamagic Sea Breeze & Red Magic
Others : Cuttlebug Embossing folder (Number Collage)

A Christmas Card

I cannot resist showing you another Christmas card today with the "A Year of Borders" stamp set.  You've seen the card at Melanie's blog, and this one is very similar. 

Here's the card seen at Melanie's blog:

And this is today's card:

On this card, the cardbase is embossed with Cuttlebug Embossing folder Snowflake as well as the snowflake patterned paper.  Adhere the patterned paper to the cardbase, lining up the embossed image so they match perfectly.  Cut a slit about 3/4" above the bottom edge of the card and string the gold ribbon and tie as shown in the photo.  Adhere the poinsettia border above the ribbon.  Adhere the sentiment to the cut out tag (with Spellbinder's Fancy Tags) and place it with foam adhesive onto the card as shown.  Place a cut out poinsettia at the side of the sentiment.  To finish off the card, add some faux stitches along the border of the card with Memento Marker.

I hope you like the card.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Fanciful Tags (sentiment)
Cardstock : GKD PLC White, patterned papers
Others : Spellbinders Fancy Tags, Memento Marker New Sprout, copic markers

Guest Designer for Melanie's "A Year of Borders"

I can't tell you how Suprised and Excited I was to hear from Melanie Muenchinger asking me if I would like to be her Guest Designer for her new stamp set "A Year of Borders"!  I am a BIG fan of Melanie's eversince I discovered StampTV!!  I love her stamp sets because they are so gorgeous and so versatile - it's so easy to create great looking cards with them. 

At the same time, I feel a little nervous as I've never done anything like this before.  I classify myself a "laid back" stamper, just happy to be stamping for fun.  Nevertheless, I hope to be able to share some of my ideas and hopefully you will be inspired.

"A Year of Borders" is a great stamp set - it's one I know I will be using regularly throughout the year.  Even though it's a border set, but when using it, think beyond just borders.  The images can be cut out and used in many ways, just let your creativity take over.

Here's my card:

I love the autumn leaves and acorn border!  Since we don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Malaysia nor have autumn (weather is hot all year round) I decided to use it with the Gina K Friends sentiment set.  The sentiment describes thankfulness for friends who have been with us through every season of life, the good and the not-so-smooth journeys.



A closer view

 I hope you like the card and I hope it will inspire you to use "A Year of Borders" to create something today.

Thank you, Melanie, for allowing me to share ideas with your beautiful stamp set.  I feel so honoured!

Have a blessed day!

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders, GKD Friends
Papers : GKD PLC Tan, Graphic 45 Christmas Past
Others : Spellbinders Labels 14, Sakura Pigma Micron Sepia 01
Copics : E0000, E04, E11, E31, E35, E37, W3, YR04, YG03, Y11

Follow Your Heart

Just last week, some friends and I had lunch and we chatted about the choices we've made in life. One particular topic we discussed at length was what would we have done at Uni if we had complete freedom of choice.  In the country we grew up in, due to some government policy on education, our parents had to work very hard to send their children for better education opportunities overseas.  So much has been invested for our education, that most of us feel obliged to choose a field of study which our parents would approve. 

In my early years as an Accountant - I disliked being one, because it's just not me.  But as the years went on, I grew to love my job and to excel in what I do.  I had been fortunate enough to work for companies and bosses who appreciated my work and gave me opportunities to progress in my career.  That being said, I still think it's never too late to move on to do what we love, and to do what we feel is right in our hearts. 

Today's card has a sentiment which echoes my thought:

I hope you like the card, and that the sentiment has really inspired you to follow your heart.

Stamps : Unity Birdie Duet, Worn Music
Inks : Versafine Vintage Sepia, Distress Inks Tea Dye, Shabby Shutters & Tumbled Glass
Paper : PTI Kraft cardstock, Making Memories ledger paper
Others : Colourpencils, AC ribbon, Tim Holtz paper clip, Hero Arts brads

A Girl Should be Two Things....

Hello again.  Coco Chanel once said " A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous"!  Isn't she clever.  A couple of weeks ago, I saw this quote on a Unity stamp set, and I thought I must get that.  So, here's the card inspired by the quote:

I thought this card would be perfect for a girlfriend.  Kept the card really simple in just kraft & cream with ribbon & lace. 

Have a lovely Wednesday!

Stamps : Unity Undeniably You
Paper : Making Memories Ledger paper, PTI Kraft cardstock
Ink : Versamark, Versafine Onyx Black & Versafine Smokey Gray
Others : Lace, ribbon, button & white gel pen

Trying a New Colour Combo

My favourite colour is blue - you wouldn't believe how partial I am to the colour.  Perhaps it's because the colour symbolises space (like blue skies) & serenity for me.  Lately, I've been challenged to try some new colour combos which I've never used before.  Here's one:

The cardbase is GKD's cardstock Sweet Corn (which is slighty orange-yellow).  I've added red and a patterned paper in brown, blue & green.  I'm suprised that the colours actually go pretty well together.

Hope you like it.  The stamped image is from Unity and coloured with markers.

Stamps : Unity KOM May 2010 (image & sentiment)
Paper : GKD Sweet Corn, October Afternoon
Others : Swiss Dots embossing folder, Memento Markers, Sakura White Gel pen, Baker's Twine