CHA Chicago Cards

My sis and I went to the CHA Summer show in Chicago. We had a swell time, but absolutely tired out walking from 9am till 5pm daily at the show. I attended the Hero Arts plus HOTP workshops plus various make & takes during the show. Had lots of fun seeing all the new Christmas products and trying the various new items. I came home with LOTS of rubberstamps and despite the long flight home and the baggage delay I was happy! Here are some the cards which were made - all Christmas themes.

Cards n More Cards

Back to making more cards - my first love in papercrafts. A friend wanted to send a card to a friend who's just had a baby girl not too long ago. So I made a simple card for all in pink. Used a rubberstamp to stamp the heart and cut out, rub-ons and patterned papers.

Another card is made for a friend who lent me a book to read. The lettering was from Hero Arts' stamp and punch out flowers with little gemstones.

The last card is made on Parchment paper, using stencilling technique - basically painting with your finger! The waterlily is done with stencils and water soluble crayons. The borders are embossed and perforated and cut out. This is a Pergamano technique - and I'm a qualified Pergamano International tutor, I reckon I'm the only one in this country. Enjoy!

Digital Scrapbooking

I've been inspired to start Digital Scrapbooking. Maybe this is the best solution to stop buying all those papers n embellishments that take up so much space and makes my room a mess!

Here's one of photos taken in Anaheim Disney back in Feb this year. I was there for the Winter CHA.

Never Enough Time in a Day

Classic, isn't it? Why is there never enough hours in a day to do everything I want done? I realised I have tons of photos but I've only completed 7 pages in my scrapbook! Started last year, trying to document my favourite pics of the European cities which I have visited over 2003-2006. Well, like I said, I've only done 7 pages. Sad! There's so much memories in my head and to scrapbook them would be a nice way to remember, as the capacity in my head needs to make way for newer impressions in life. I shall have to get onto it. Of the 3 years spent in Amsterdam, I've only done 2 pages. Lots more to tell... visits to various places in Netherlands, Ghent, Brugges, Antwerp, Athens, Corinth, South Wales, Edinburgh, Zurich, Vienna, Budapest, Copenhagen and Paris. Maybe I've seen more of Europe than Asia where I live!

Friendship Bracelet

I'm never satisfied with just cardmaking - I'll try my hand at any craft which I think I can do. My latest craze is making Friendship Bracelets. My bro bought me a mag while in UK which featured how to make simple bracelets. So after almost a year, I thought it's time to learn it. I made a couple of bracelets yesterday and thought hey, they might look good on a simple card. So here is one of them. The card opens up to a folded message in it. Since, I'm also learning how to use my Photoshop Elements, why not print something unique onto the message. Enjoy!

Spring blossom card

This card was created with a magenta stamp, and the HOTP swirly doodle template. High quality colourfast pencils were used to add colour to the stamped image and the swirly doodles.

Another passing in the family

Early Sunday morning 10 June 2007, my uncle passed away - his heart simply stopped. I have not seen him for a year, it's sad because of all the uncles I have, I would say he's the closest one to my siblings and me. We affectionately call him "Daddy" together with his kids. The name stuck till now, and in our memory he will always be "Daddy".

I watched an episode of Oprah recently on Elizabeth Edwards and how she explained she didn't want her son ( who died in a car accident at 16) to be forgotten. It was important to her that his 16 years on earth be remembered. I think that is so true - our lives should never be unimportant to those around us, and the message of each life should live on even when we are no longer around.

My "Daddy" somehow has meant something to me, and to my siblings. My sister has a beautiful memory of him taking her out to pick fruits, making her feel she was important and special. I will always remember his laugh and his even-tempered personality. Days of running around in the field in front of his house, despite cobras having nests nearby, kite flying and picnics at the beaches and waterfall.

Yes, his memory will live on in my heart and I will not let the fact that he lived be forgotten. I will speak of him and will tell about his life to people who cross my path. My brother told me they sang his favourite hymn at the funeral service - What a Friend we have in Jesus. I think how appropriate, because as God has been our "Friend", we live to be a friend to touch another's life.

Thank you, God, for my uncle's life!