Sending Smiles...

I hope your weekend was wonderful!  I managed to make a few cards yesterday, which made my weekend happy ;-)  Since it was sunny, we also went for a walk down the waterfront - it was lovely.

Here's the first card:

For this card, I used just scraps from Cosmo Cricket to make the paper piecing.  Since I'm spending some time at my sister's place, I don't have my usual craft supplies, so it's a little "limiting" for me.  But, I guess one doesn't need much to make cards really.

I'm submitting this for the Lawnscaping challenge #4.  I'm so glad I bought the Lawn Fawn stamps because all the images are so, so cute.  I hope this card makes you smile.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope your day is happy!

Stamps :  Lawn Fawn Hello Friend
Paper : BasicGrey Basics, Cosmo Cricket
Ink : Memento Rich Cocoa & Summer Sky
Other : Scor-buddy (embossed frame), Sakura white gel pen, grey blings, twine, Spellbinders Lacy Squares

Learning to be Thankful

Hi. I guess most of you would have heard about the massive earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand and the unrest in Libya this week.  Even though I'm not physically at these places, I have friends who are affected by the earthquake and the political unrest.  Thankfully they are all ok, and my friend in Libya has been evacuated to Rome two days ago. 

These events reminds me that life is really rather fragile.  I guess we have to learn to live every day to the fullest as we only have one chance to do it right.  To learn be so thankful, gracious to others and to really find joy in the little things.  For me, that also includes caring for my parents, to take time to talk and listen to them and so much more.  I guess you could say it's all about having one's priorities right.
Today, I have this card to share:

I love the sentiment because it's so true.  Life can be so wonderful!

Have a lovely weekend!







Stamps : Unity/Jillibean Dutch Mustard Soup & Unity Itty Bitty Wonderful
Paper : PTI Kraft cardstock, Nikki Sivils patterned paper
Ink : Memento Rich Cocoa
Others : Spellbinders Labels 15, Sakura White gel pen
p.s joining in CardPatterns' anniversary sketch.

Loving Doilies

I must tell you a little story about doilies and me.  When I was 15, my mum "challenged" (well, maybe persuaded strongly, is more accurate) me to make a doily for her during my end of year school holidays.  For years, she has been proudly displaying all the doilies my sister has created and I guess she thought she ought to have one from me too.  At 15, I was not a girly type of girl and I'd rather spend hours outdoors, playing under the sun. 

Not wanting to disappoint mum, I thought to myself how difficult can this be.  I asked my sis to teach me the basics of crocheting, got my mum to choose a pattern she liked and started off.  To my suprise, I discovered I was a perfectionist, and I kept undoing the doily because my tension wasn't even, etc.  Well, to cut a long story short, I finally finished the doily 2 years later!  It was my first and only doily to date.  

When Unity/Bella Blvd came out with the Doilies stamp set, I was "in love".  Even though crocheting is not my thing, I guess I can create stamped cards with doilies instead.

I'd love to hear what you think of the card :-)

Have a lovely day!

Stamps : Unity/Bella Blvd Bella Doilies, Lawn Fawn Hello Friend (sentiment)

Inks : Clearsnap colorbox pigment ink (Doilies), Memento Rich Cocoa (sentiment)

Paper : PTI White cardstock, Little Yellow Bicycle Twig

Other : Hero Arts blings, Twine

Almost a one layer card

Today, I got to play with two of the Unity/Bella Blvd stamp sets purchased before Christmas.  My inspiration today is to make a card with only white cardstock.  Here's what I came up with: 

I stamped all the images onto the white cardstock and coloured them with copic markers.  Added the stamped sentiment on the top left corner, and the card was done.  Really simple.

I love the sentiment on the card " A house is built with boards and beams.  A home is built with love and dreams."  I'm submitting this for the Unity Challenge, and I hope you will participate in the challenge too ;-)

Have a lovely weekend.

Stamps : Unity/Bella Blvd Honey, I'm Home! & Bella Trees
Paper : PTI White cardstock
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, Rich Cocoa, Rose Bud, copics
Other : Sakura Pigma Micron Sepia 0.5

Forever Friends

Today, my card is inspired by the challenge at Stampin' Sisters in Christ.  I love to read the sharing for the challenge as it's a personal reflection of one's life and principles.  I am inspired by Patti's words that "those of us who have our treasures in heaven will know true riches."  Sometimes life is hard and so unfair, but we have to see beyond what is, in order to have hope.

My card is a one layer card on kraft with some copics colouring.

I added just a hint of colours on the open stamped images.  I love the cute animals and the banner from Lawn Fawn stamps.  And, I added the sentiment "forever friends" as we really need our friends along the way to help us journey through this life.

Thanks for visiting today.  Have a blessed day!

Stamps : Lawn Fawn Bannerific, Sophie's Sentiments, Critters in the 'burbs
Ink : Versamark, Memento Rich Cocoa, Copics
Paper : PTI Kraft cardstock

Wedding Wishes

A little while ago, I mentioned that I really liked the Girls' Paperie paper, Cabbage Rose.  So, I couldn't resist making another card  with it.

Here's the card:

Since the roses looked so pretty, I didn't want to add much to the card.  Just a sentiment and some embellishment bits would suffice.  I would have liked to do some sewing (to sort of "ground" the paper to the cardbase) around the card, but the sewing machine is at home.  I ended up piercing around the patterned paper and running a marker over it to give the illusion of stitching.  The sentiment is from my current favourite set - Papertrey Ink's Simple Sentiments.  There are so many lovely sentiments in it. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Take care.

Stamps : PTI Simple Sentiments
Paper : The Girls' Paperie Paper Girl - Cabbage Rose, PTI cardstock
Ink : Memento
Other : PTI Ribbon Hibiscus Burst, Memento marker Rhubarb Stalk, Paper flowers, button & twine

Thank You For Being My Friend

Hi again.  Last night I made a card using a sketch at StampTV. 

I think I must have been rather sleepy, because I think the card didn't turn out much like the sketch plus I managed to stamp the butterfly upside down too.  I was not quite happy, but then I thought that's life... nothing will ever be perfect but it's how we embrace imperfection that makes life meaningful.

So, here's my totally imperfect card:

Thank you, for visiting me, and for being my friend.  I appreciate it.

Stamps : GKD A Year of Borders (butterflies), Lawn Fawn Hello Friend
Papers : Cosmo Cricket, PTI kraft & white cardstock
Ink : Memento Tuxedo Black, Cantaloupe & Copic Markers YG03, BG10 & BG000
Others : Memento Markers Rich Cocoa & Rhubarb Stalk, Twine, Bling

Thank You Card

Looks like I'm really into Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 papers.  The 6x6 pad really goes a long, long way.  I've made so many cards with it but I've hardly used even half the pad.  Tell me, how does one actually finish using the papers? ;-)

Here's my card:

I love the tulle flower - found it in a bag.  I must have purchased it and forgotten all about it.  Scary!

Have a lovely day!

Stamps : PTI Simple Sentiments, Lawn Fawn Critters in the 'Burbs
Ink : Versamark, Memento Rich Cocoa
Paper : Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934, BasicGrey Basics
Other : Making Memories flowers, Fiskars Scallop Border punch, Stickles Glam Pink

A Fun Birthday Card

Hi, I hope your week is going great.  It's been nice & sunny where I am, but I've not been out much - bit snowed under with work.  But, I did find a bit of time to ink up some stamps purchased not too long ago.  Here's my quick and simple card:

I stamped the banners on white cardstock using red & yellow inks & cut them out.  Placed and adhered the banners on the top left hand corner of the card, and adhered the jute string with glossy accents.  Did some paper piecing for the cake and coloured the candles. Made some faux stitching around the cardbase. Stamped the sentiment & card is done!

Thanks for visiting today.  Have a great one!

Stamps : PTI Banner Builder, Unity/Bella Blvd Sweet Celebration Birthday 
Paper : BasicGrey Basics, Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934, PTI Scarlet Jewel Cardstock
Inks : Memento Lady Bug & Cantaloupe & Rich Cocoa
Other : Jute string, White gel pen & Memento Markers

Cutesy Valentine

Today, I'm sharing another card with some Lawn Fawn stamps.  I wanted to use Bannerific set, and I thought pink banners would look great.  I didn't have any card design nor sketch in mind - I was happy with anything goes.  After colouring all the banners, I stamped the sentiment "thinking of you" on one of the banners and some hearts on the other banner & cut them out. 

Here's the finished card:

I'm not sure if the card is too pink (lol) but I just love the Girls' Paperie paper (Cabbage Rose).   I'm submitting this to the Lawnscaping challenge #3.

Tell me what you think?

Have a good week!

Stamps : Lawn Fawn Bannerific, Fly Free & Sophie's Sentiments

Ink : Memento Rose Bud & Rich Cocoa, Copic markers

Paper : The Girls' Paperie Paper Girl (Cabbage Rose), PTI Hibiscus Burst cardstock

Others : Spellbinders Lacy Squares, PTI ribbon, Sakura white gel pen

Smitten with Lawn Fawn stamps

As you know, I'm pretty much a stamp addict.  I used to buy almost every stamp I like but these days I try to limit myself to buying from a few stamp companies.  I've been admiring Lawn Fawn stamps for a long, long while.  I love the cuteness of their stamps and also how perfect the images are for colouring in. So, I took the plunge and bought several of my favourites, I wish I could have all my favourites but then I'd be broke ;)

Here's my first ever Lawn Fawn card:

I just love the cute animals and they look so fun.  I hope you like the card.

Stamps : Lawn Fawn Critters in the 'burbs
Ink : Memento Rich Cocoa & Bamboo Leaves, Copic markers
Paper : Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934, PTI Orange Zest cardstock
Others : PTI twine & Sheet Music Impression plate, Hero Arts trim

Enjoy your day!

Misting with Tattered Angels

I've never used Tattered Angels products before, therefore, I was eager to learn about this product which I've heard so much about.  The class taught me the techniques using the various Tattered Angels products such as Glimmer Mist, Glimmer Glam and the Chalk Board.  It was quite a fun class, but I'm not entirely sure if this is my thing, because, I get worried that inks go everywhere and having ink stains on my fingers and clothes ;).

Here is a photo of the Techniques Album we took home - hmm... I think I need to mist a little more blue onto the album, too much yellow, don't you think.  Inside the album, there are some 40++ pages filled with technique ideas using Glimmer Mist.

Here's a peek into the album:

First page of album

Using lace & screen as masks



Misting on a tag

Misting on the TA embossed board, running Distress Inks over the embossed areas



My favourite page

The last page is my favourite technique.  I love the resist using the Glimmer Glam and I like the stamping on the page, i.e. the grunge stamp around the borders & the matching stamp to the screen.

I'm thinking I would use Tattered Angels products to make some backgrounds but I doubt I would go crazy on them.  Nevertheless, it's always fun to try new products and to discover if that's going to be my kinda thing.

I hope your week is going great!

Take care.

Hero Arts Cards

Hello again.  Today, I'm showing you some Hero Arts cards from the workshop at CHA.  I'm a long time fan of Hero Arts, but I've not used their stamps for sometime.  Perhaps it's because there are so many choices out there and sometimes, I feel the need for a change.

Nevertheless, there are some awesome stamps from the new Hero Arts releases for 2011.  I am loving a number of the stamps in their new catalogue and especially the Spring catalogue with the BasicGrey stamps (which coordinate with the new BasicGrey collections).

These are some of my favourites:

And, here are the cards:

There were quite a number of techniques involved making the cards, and I really enjoyed making every one of them.  We got to play with the new BasicGrey papers too - that was awesome.  Now I know, I must buy the 6x6 pads (my fav is Sweet Threads collection) when they are out.

I must show you the fabric flower made from the floral Hero Arts stamp (I persuaded the ladies at the Hero Arts booth to give me one).  I love it!  I don't sew very well, but I think I'd be tempted to try.

Have a great day!

Cool Projects

I know it's been a long while since I last posted.  I've been travelling quite a bit... spent sometime with my fab girlfriends in Singapore (watching lion dance and streets lit with lanterns for the Chinese New Year) and then travelled to Los Angeles with my sister.  So, in this post, I want to tell you a bit about what I did in LA. But, before that, "A Happy New Year!" to my Chinese friends.

Every year, my sister travels to the Craft & Hobby trade show in the US and this year, it was awesome that I got to go with her.  We had such a grand time, catching up with our American friends and especially lovely for me to meet my Uni friend & her family who lives in California, whom I've not seen for 3 years.  The other fun thing was I got to attend workshops conducted by some of the wonderful teachers in the craft industry.

Check this out:

For the first time, I got to attend a class with Tim Holtz!!  How awesome!  Although I'm not a big big fan of Tim's but I really admire his creativity & his wonderful products.  We made this canvas in the class, and I think it's simply gorgeous.  

Next, I got to play with Ranger's Perfect Pearls with Dyan Reaveley (a Ranger educator in UK).  I've never used this product before, but I can tell you it's so fun.  I guess if you read my blog, you'd know I really love colouring, and I think this could be my thing.  Love the shimmer of the Perfect Pearls.

Then, it was time to play with the new Adirondack Color Washes and Art Parts with Wendi Vecchi.  I love the awesome plastic flower on this project.  I don't know what it is, but the flower can be shaped by the heat gun again & again & again.  That was really fantastic.

The last canvas was taught by Claudine Hellmuth and of course, we got to play with the Claudine Hellmuth paints & sticky back canvas.  I love the fun look of the project.

I hope you like the above projects.  Of course, when I go away with my sis, we have to do some shopping although we didn't have much time this trip.  We also missed the first day of Chinese New Year leaving LA - cos when we got to my sister's it was already Friday 4th February. 

I'll post a few more projects in the next few days.  Stay tuned...

Have a marvellous day!!