Sandy's Space

Sandy Ang : papercrafter

2012-02-26T06:38:00.001+08:00

Still playing with my favourite thing from the Studio Calico february main kit. Made a name card and matching holder for my Scrapping Studio post. I find it ironic that a Sassafras project ended up being the most clean and simple design.

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Sassafras Exclusive Paper SC10008, American Craft Cardstock Ash, Dear Lizzy Epoxy Stickers
Stepping Stone Supplies : MME Everyday Funday Neutral Rhinestones, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set

So Crafty

2012-02-26T06:30:00.000+08:00

Last year I made a bunch of ATCs at a crop. Instead of trading them normally, I used them to alter drinking glasses. Each glass was given away holding some sweet-scented lemon balm. Seeing the orange poppy paper in my Scrappin Studio kit inspired me to scrap these photos.

Lots of tabs in this layout. The main photo is held up by an actual metal index clip. I mat several papers below the photo and added phrase stickers along the side to create the illusion of more tabs. A journal card partially hidden behind the smaller photo mimics a longish tab. To break up the trapped white space I added two doily halves. They subtly echo the cup-shaped flowers in the borders and are mirrored by the ghost doily print in the paper.

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Sea Breeze, Sassafras Exclusive Paper SC10009
Stepping Stone Supplies : Authentique Gathering Bloom & Diction, Crate Paper Paper Heart Love Letter & Romance, October Afternoon Farmhouse Journal Card
Others : 7 gypsies index tab, doily

Flip Flops

2012-02-19T00:01:00.000+08:00

It's Sunday and time for some new Scrappin Studio projects. First up is a layout inspired by a challenge posed by my fellow Artfull Crafts designer Louise. She mentioned how some designers have a signature style that makes their layouts instantly recognizable. Since we both knew of the 'Marcy Penner' look, we agreed to each do a layout in her style.

The photo is a bit gimmicky. Here's how we did it. My niece laid down and propped her feet against a bougainvillea shrub. Pointing the camera upwards, we got a shot with nice depth of field 'beneath' her new flip flops.

Salmon from the Dreamy paper and the butterfly, and beiges from the journal cards tie in beautifully with the sandals in my photo. This journal card with it's bright scarlet border was added to give my project a boost of colour. The Thickers were painted the same red and positioned to form a visual triangle anchoring the photo.

But in the end it's still a every 'me' design where a strong visual triangle dominated instead of her trademark edge-to-edge rectangle design. Louise, I think, achieved a much better 'Marcy' result with her Superhero layout.Hope you'll go over and check it out here.

Linking up to these parties

Daydream Believer Supplies : Dear Lizzy Neapolitan (Delightful Bouquet, Sea Breeze, Hazy Horizon), Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, American Crafts Natural Thickers, The Gilded Bee Handmade Butterfly
Stepping Stones Supplies : Ocotber Afternoon (Farmhouse Journal Cards,Buttons), Authentique Petite Type Square, Marcy Penner Snap Shot Badges
Others : acrylic paint

2 OOH! Cards

2012-02-19T00:00:00.000+08:00

Anyone miss Sassafras ? Many pretty things, cool things, clever things were shown at CHA Winter 2012 but I'm missing the quirky that Sassafras used to bring to the mix. I'm partially consoled by their two exclusive papers included in the Studio Calico February kit that Scrappin Studio sent me.

The woodgrain paper I've used on every project so far. The other is an exuberant chevron. I paired little snippets of it with yellow diagonals and pokka dots. Then stamped the OOH! as an additional graphic element. Had such a wonderfully playful time creating these two celebratory cards.

Linking up to these parties

Daydream Believer Supplies : Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC10008, Pebbles Happy Day
Steeping Stones Supplies : Crate Paper Delivery, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp

Bon-Bon Holders

2012-02-12T19:06:00.000+08:00

One day while chatting with a fellow designer, she mentioned she's not a fan of pink. That got me thinking about using unexpected colours for a Valentine's Day project. I saw manufacturers releasing collections with lots of grey this CHA which prompted me to make these treat-holders for Artfull Crafts.

The Courting paper from Lily Bee has a nice tight pattern that works for smaller size projects. One piece of 12"x12" paper will make two of these 2.5"x2.5"x2" boxes. The labels are simply strips cut from a journalling card.

Wishing one and all a very Happy Valentine's Day !

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Lily Bee Head over Heels (Courting paper, Index Journalling cards), Vandoros Chloe Ruffled Ribbon Ivory, Fundamentals Ribbon Trims Moss

Delighted by You

2012-02-12T00:00:00.000+08:00

An eclectic pocket card for Scrappin Studio today. My love for stationery supplies show through on this project. I'm continuing to explore the greens and beiges in the kit - adding a healthy dose of yellow to the mix.

One way of stretching my kit is to utilise packaging materials. The Studio Calico stamp package has a deep chocolate header that complemented the rest of my card. Turned upside down, it worked nicely to anchor my collage.

I'm really quite pleased with it. However, not having a central focus and a very small (easily overlooked) sentiment, this type of card is not everyone's cup of tea. What's your preference : a quirky card or something more traditional ?

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Studio Calico Mini Frame Stamp (packaging), American Crafts Dear Lizzy Epoxy Stickers , Dear Lizzy Neopolitan Hazy Horizon, Pebbles Candy Bag, Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, Gilded Bee Handmade Butterflies
Stepping Stone supplies : Authentique Gathering Diction sticker, October Afternoon Farmyard Journal Cards, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set, MME Everyday Fun NeutralRhinstones
Other supplies : baker's twine

Valentine on a Budget

2012-02-06T20:51:00.001+08:00

For the month of February Lowri set a blog theme of LOVE, LOVE, LOVE over at Artfull Crafts. Since I love to craft on a budget, I created these four Valentine cards and two gift tags using just US$9 of supplies (plus some bits and bobs from my stash).

Here are the four the MME Love Me products I used : Die-Cut Accessories Sheet, Doilies paper, Love paper, Pink Hex paper. And a pack of Kaisercraft Crimson Sparklets. Virtually everything was used up for my projects so hooray for not growing my stash pile.

Sweetie I Love U paired a check panel (from the Doilies paper) and an xoxo panel (from the Pink Hex paper) with various die-cuts. Embellies from my stash included push pins, buttons, cabuchon flower. Everthing was then glued down on pink cardstock.

This was for Amy

These two tags could not be easier to make. Just popped out the die-cuts and glued them together. Only the large doily required fussy-cutting from the Love paper. Thread on some pretty stripe ribbons and I was done.

The cardbase for Hugs N Kisses is the ledger pattern from the Love paper. The upper part is covered with the red Doilies paper and a tag filled with a whole pack of Sparklets. The rest are die-cuts.

This was for Jaime

To see detail pictures of my other two cards scroll down to the next post.
Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : MME Love Me (Doilies, Love, Pink Hex, Die-Cut Accessories), MME Lost & Found (Market Street Lovely French Stripe, Die Cut Accessories Sheet, Lovely Buttons), Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends Scraps, Making Memories Paper Reverie Sienne Baubles, Kaisercraft Sparklets Crimson, Berisfords Candy Check Ribbon Red, crochet flower, push pins, other ribbons

Using Large Scale Patterns

2012-02-06T20:49:00.000+08:00

Here's a product tip post I did for Artfull Crafts. Some cardmakers shy away from 12"x12" papers with large scale patterns for fear that they will overwhelm the smaller canvas. So prettiness like these are left out of their supplies list.

MME Love Me - Doilies

Kaisercraft These Days - Generation

Lily Bee Head Over Heels - Swoon

For those looking for new ideas, here are three ways to incorporate larger patterns in your cardmaking.

#1 - Use as a Background. Here I covered three-quarters of my card with the Doilies paper. This works best when you don't put a large item in the middle of the area selected. Instead chose your area so that large items are cut-off around the edges. The result is the mind's eye extends the boundaries of your card.

This card was for Jaime

#2 - Create a Shaped Card. Fussy cut the largest pattern from your paper and use it as your cardbase. You need not use the whole image. For flowers and doilies, just fold over part of the pattern to create a straight edge.

This card was for Sherie

#3 - Layer it Beneath Other Items. Here I tucked two doily halves below my sentiment. And added a large doily beneath the bingo card to create an interesting asymmetrical shape. This technique allows the images to be used partially which is less overwhelming.

This card was for Sylvia and Keefe

Artfull Crafts has a Love themed challenge this month. So why not check out the details here and send them your Valentine projects. The winners can expect to receive brand new Kaisercraft goodies from the CHA 2012 Winter releases : Tigerlily and Technologic.

Linking up to these parties.

Puppy Love

2012-02-06T20:41:00.000+08:00

Sketches : are you a fan ? I must admit I used to have creative block whenever I'm faced with one. Then Sherie of Scrapping Supplies Online introduced me to Becky Fleck's cardmaps. One look at the sketch Sherie chose for her February sketch challenge had me reaching for some Sassafras paper borders. Within minutes I made this card.

This is for Jen

Opting for a horizontal treatment, I turned the sketch sideways. The card has little twists such as using a text print to mimic the stripe pattern in the sketch and replacing the rosette with flag tails with an apple tucked under the border.

Who knew sketches could be so fun ? If you are inspired, check out Sherie's challenge here. The winner gets to walk away with an A$25 store voucher.

Linking up to these parties.

Sassafras Supplies : Elle's Love Time Flies, Paper Crush Love Notes, Ymmy Vintage Dear Darling, Cherry Delicious Winsome, Pocket Full of Rosies Sweet Treats sticker, Via Air Mail Paper Whimsies, Garden Bits Orange Chipboard, Razzle Dazzle Paper Whimsies,
Others : Basic Grey Sugar Rush Glazed Brad

Trimming Pothos

2012-02-05T00:02:00.000+08:00

After hearing scrappers go on and on about Studio Calico, I finally got my first kits! Jamie from Scrappin Studio sent me the main kit Daydream Believer as well as add-on #4 Stepping Stone. Every Sunday this month I'll be posting projects created with these goodies.

We are smack in the middle of monsoon season in Singapore. All that rain encouraged my garden plants to grow like crazy. So last weekend I tackled a list of horticultural chores - including trimming back the pothos (or money plant).

This 8.5"x11" layout captures the moment when the chores were done and I could put my gloves and tools down. Seeing how well the garden looked made all that labour (and aching back) worth while. The design is inspired by Leslie Shewring's mood boards.

My product choices were driven by the colours in my photo : green, cream, orange and black. I printed "GARDENIIIING" in Gills San MT Condensed font on the Sassafras Exclusive Woodgrain paper on the left. The "Pothos" title was created with American Crafts Natural Thickers. A micro brush allowed me to apply layers of inks where I wanted on the raw chipboard alphas. One topcoat of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist added a nice shimmer and shine.

Scrapping Studio is hosting a monthly challenge and the February prize is an Into the Woods main kit. Hope you'll go over and check it out.

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer supplies : Bazzil Kraft cardstock, American Craft Ash cardstock Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Delightful Bouquet paper, American Crafts Natural Thickers, Studio Calico Mini Frame Stamp, Dear Lizzy Epoxy Sticker (packaging)
Stepping Stone supplies : Authentique Bloom paper, Authentique Gathering Diction sticker, Crate Paper Paper Heart Delivery paper, Marcy Penner Snap Shot Badges, October Afternoon Farmyard buttons, vintage Stockyard Number Cards, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set (packaging)
Other supplies : paper clip, white cardstock, inks, mist, thread

Scrapping Kits

2012-02-05T00:01:00.001+08:00

I'm excited to embark on something new in 2012 : scrapping for a Malaysian kit club owned by Jaime Lee. Scrappin Studio has been supplying Studio Calico kits to Asian scrapbookers for over a year now.

These kits are amazingly popular, selling out within minutes of their monthly reveal. So I'm pinching myself that every other month, I'll get to play with them for Jaime's kit club.

I'll be joinning these other designers on the Scrappin Studio 2012 Design Team :

Agnieszka vel Bellaidea (Ontario, Canada)
Jaz Lee Soo Hui (Singapore)
Kai Lun (Singapore)
Kaori Watanabe (Hokkaido, Japan)
Marina Khong (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Rachel Clarke (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

We Love, We Chose

2012-02-05T00:00:00.001+08:00

Inspired by the lush green of my garden, I jotted down the idea for a card based on shades from nature like olive, stone and jade. The result was this card which also reflect my thoughts that day - to be more conscious of my daily actions.

This was for Helen

Design-wise I explored the power of 'white' space (in this case more accurately 'green' space). Frames play a part in most of my cards. Here I used two of them. The inner one was a conventional metal keyhole frame. The outer one was a three-sided circles frame.

My favourite find among my stash was some Kaisercraft Journal rub-ons. I dispensed with the frame and applied the journal lines to mimic stitching. A time-saving technique that gave a finer finish than my wonky sewing. Know I'll be using this method again when I want to create subtle hints of randomness on layouts.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Making Memories (Passport Fragile, Stripe), gcd Studios (Artsy Urban Butterfly, chipboard sticker, die-cut border, epoxy sticker), American Crafts Mementos Dedication metal frame, Simply Luxe label, Crate Paper Mia poxy buttons, Hambly On-Edge screen print, Kaisercraft Journals Rub-Ons, push pins

Beauty

2012-02-02T19:20:00.000+08:00

Now that manufacturers have revealed their CHA Winter 2012 releases, older collections are being put on sale to make room for new arrivals. It's a good time to pick up things that I loved but hadn't had a chance to work with before.

This card went out to Sarah

I went online shopping and got a ton of Teresa Collins to play with. Her things are so classic and timeless, they can be mixed and matched across collections which is something I like to do when I'm just creating for myself.

Some might say chandeliers and cameos aren't trendy anymore. I'll admit to not being one for jumping onto a trendy bandwagon quickly. It takes some looking, some internalising before something that's fashionable in scrapbooking makes it onto my projects. How about you ? Are you an early adopter of scrappy trends ?

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Teresa Collins (Timeless Pink Stripe & Die-Cuts, Posh Die-Cuts, Welcome Home chipboard), Basic Grey Sultry rub-on

On a Laundry Line

2012-02-02T18:00:00.002+08:00

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who played with paper dolls. She dressed them up in different costumes and imagined fantastical lives for them. That girl grew up and one day received a wonderful package. Full of potential for making more dresses to charm other little girls in her life.

Reality isn't far from the fairy tale. When Rachel wanted Paper Doll banners from the Ruby Rock-It designers for the CHA Winter 2012 booth, I thought little dresses would show off that collection beautifully.

I used fuchsia as the dominant colour in my banner. The collection had a deep grey damask pattern which I added to several of the dresses. This lead me to use the subtle salmon-and-grey diamond paper from the Wedding collection as another key element in the dresses.

Clear rhinestones replaced buttons on my dresses. Their cool sparkle adds a nice dimensionality to the retro-style dresses, each of which were suspended with giant safety pins, making it seem like they were on a laundry line .

I believe it's the first time I've used all the embellishments in a collection on one project ! In my DT application I told Rachel it'll be a pleasure to work with Ruby's embellishments. And true enough the variety of shapes and textures worked together really well.

Linking up to these parties.

Ruby Rock-It Supplies : Paper Doll (PD04 Cardstock Sticker, PD11 Ribbon, PD28 Floral Accents, PD29 Patchwork, PD35 Felt Icons, PD42 Chipboard Alphabet, PD50 Tokens, PD59 Border Sticker, PF67 Collage, PD99 Dotti ) Wedding (BWB70 Beloved, BWR54 Rhinestone w/ Silver Rim)

Round and Round We Go

2012-01-27T00:03:00.000+08:00

Last January I made the Best Creation design team. Thank you so much Joyce and Teresa for this wonderful opportunity. Currently the brand is being reorganized. Both the blog and design team are on indefinite hiatus. So here are some of my final Best Creation projects.

Loops and Scoops was the perfect collection for making a carousel. I turned mine into (no surprise here) a giftholder. The base is modelled on the hexagonal shape of a pencil, while the lid is an eight-segment cone that sits nicely on an interior platform.

The lid was embellished with pearl strands to mimic twinkling lights you see at the fairs. Advertising style banners at the top say things like 'Roller Coaster' and 'Bump Bump'. I also used banners and row of tickets to reinforce the sense of continuous movement.

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Loops and Scoops (12x12 papers, 6x6 papers, stickers). Others : pearl strands, beads, wire

Thrill Ride

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000+08:00

Do you have a favourite ride when you go to the fun fair ? Is it the excitement of roller coasters or the gentler thrill of the ferris wheel ? Me, I like bumper cars.

This card went out to Rhonda's cards for kids call

This card is my tribute to Dodgem who is often credited with the invention of bumper cars. I'm one of those drivers who deliberately ignore those 'this way round' and 'no bumping' signs. Why follow the rules when I have the chance to drive recklessly ?

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Loops and Scoops (6x6 paper, 12x12 papers, stickers, chipboard)

You're Great Sophia

2012-01-20T00:04:00.000+08:00

A while back I made this card for Artfull Crafts. It features the third of the cameos from the Dusty Attic pack they sent me. (If you'd like to see what I did with the other cameos, take a look here)

Unlike most of my cards, this one wasn't made specifically for someone. So it sat quietly in my 'finished' folder waiting for a suitable recipient . . . until I received a personalised diary commission.

The diary I was given to alter was pink and slightly taller than my card. It was a breeze to extend the card a couple of inches and stick on her name in black glittered alphas. Some ruffle trim to dress up the diary's ribbon closure and the transformation was complete.

What do you think ? Do you like the original card better or the diary version ?

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Echo Park Victoria Garden journalling cards, Basic Grey Out of Print (daily news, stickers), Teresa Collins Timeless die-cutDusty Attic cameo heads, Kaisercraft Sparklets coral, Making Memories Paper Reverie baubles sienne

Liz Mini-Book (OPP)

2012-01-20T00:02:00.000+08:00

For January's one paper project, I used another old paper from my stash : Creative Imagination's Ooh La La by Samantha Walker. This time I made a 3.5"x2.5" mini-book using just one piece of French Patch paper.

It was a present for the owner of an LSS I design for. Across it's ten inside pages, I spelled out my thank you message. The book is held together by gluing down the accordian-fold spine. I added the stitching as an embellishment and made a slip-cover for it from another piece of Ooh La La paper.

This project combines many things I love :

paper construction
playing with fonts
layering embellishments

If you'd like to try your hand at making one of these, here is my tutorial. I recommend using a 'hardworking' paper that has a variety of patterns, colours and designs. You can add photo booth strip-sized pictures with a couple of journal labels and have a mini-album completed in a hurry.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Creative Imaginations Ooh La La (French Patch, French Scroll, Parisian Border), Basic Grey (Curio Alpha sticker, Bling It), Making Memories ( Journalling Stickers Whimsy, Clear Glitter Shapes Red Pink, Jigsaw Shapes Red Pink, chipboard buttons black & white), MYLYB Cardmaking Sentiments Rub-ons, Scenic Route Sumner Label, Heidi Swapp Center of Attention chipboard alpha, snap buttons, baker's twine, jute, tooth pick

One Paper Mini-Book Tutorial

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

This mini-book is created from one piece of A4 size paper. The accordian-folds in the spine gives the pages good separation so that you can include chucky embellishments like chipboard and buttons. I believe the original designer is book artist Paul Johnson.

Tutorial :

divide your paper into 16 rectangles.
cut along the solid lines and crease on the dotted ones
fold according to the photos
glue together the accordian folds of the spine

Hope you like this fun, little project idea. If you do make one, leave me a link in the comments as I'd love to see your version.

Linking up to these parties.

Nostaglia Preview

2012-01-16T00:25:00.000+08:00

This week at Ruby Rock-It we continue with our CHA Winter 2012 release party. The designers will be showing you how they rock the Nostaglia collection.

You can win this entire collection if you head over and enter the blog challenge. All that's required is you submit a project (can be a card, layout, altered item etc) that has one or more of these elements :

tag
pocket
banner

More details can be found here.

Then : Ice Pops

2012-01-16T00:23:00.000+08:00

I loved Carrie Walz's (my fellow Ruby Rock-It designer) suggestion of using a 'Then and Now' theme for our Nostalgia projects. Flipping through old photo albums, I came upon two black and white shots of me eating ice cream in the seventies. Combined with the retro phrases and labels from the collection, this layout captured my memory of ice pops costing only fifty cents back then.

These old photos required some preparation before I could start scrapping. First I scanned them and returned the originals to the albums. Then the digital images were processed to increase contrast (to combat the natural effects of fading), to add a hint of sepia and then cropped.

Design-wise I was inspired by darts and dart boards to create a segmented circle on my layout. It worked really well to draw the eye from one layout element - photo, journalling, title - to the next. The retro look was completed through the use of arrows, tickets, flag tails and a hand-crochet flower that my blogger friend Maya sent me. Thanks Maya, I hope you like how I incorporated it into my scrapping.

Did you have ice pops on a stick as a child ? Do you remember which was your favourite ? Mine was the lime green coloured Jumbo Sticks.

Linking up to these parties.

Ruby Rock-It Supplies : Nostaglia Collection, Bella Bling, FN59 Fundaments Sparkle Alphabet Black, BWC92 Wedding Phrases Sticker Black/White, crochet flower

Look at Me

2012-01-06T00:02:00.000+08:00

Last year Artful Crafts sent me some Basic Grey Out of Print. I chose to focus on the strongly constrasting red, black and white elements to create an edgy (for me) layout.

Let me share how I play with photos on my project. This is the original shot - the figure looking away from camera, curving path, murky background of trees and sky.

I flipped the photo horizontally and positioned it on right with the path leading into the center of the layout. Cropped tightly on the figure for my main pic and cropped on the sky between the trees for my secondary pic. Then I just layered two secondary pics behind two main pics with some stickers to embellish.

Now I indulged in some messy fun. Both the red and white papers came pre-patterned with textured brush strokes. I took it up a notch by splattering some black ink (by flicking a toothbrush on the page) and scratching on some paint lines (with the edge of an old credit card). A bunch of newsprint circles anchored the top end of my layout. Another circle in an oversized bottle cap completed the design triangle.

And that's my grunge with a classic twist layout. Perhaps not everyone's cup of tea, but I'm happy with it.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Basic Grey Out of Print (Second Edition, Daily News, Headline, Sticker), 7gypsies (Reef Sand, Photographie stickers, metal index tabs), Heidi Swap Jet alphas, Hero Arts gem, Crate Paper Portrait border sticker, Bottle Cap Inc standard chrome, Making Memories brad, Studio g black ink, metal clip

Edgy Charm

2012-01-06T00:01:00.001+08:00

After finishing my Look at Me layout for Artfull Craft, I had lots of paper scraps leftover. A charm bracelet seemed the perfect way to use them up. I don't wear much jewellery (not even a wrist-watch). Yet this has been dangling on my left wrist since September. Goes nicely with the Levis T-shirts and surf shorts that's my everyday wear.

This Alisa Burke inspired bracelet is easy to make :

cut about 120 pieces in different shapes
layered three of each together for stability
inked the edges
coat with mod podge
hook onto a chain using jump rings

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Basic Grey Out of Print (Headline, Second edition, Daily news, Impasto, Bits n pieces), chain bracelet, jump rings, Studio g black ink

Paper Doll Projects

2012-01-02T21:29:00.000+08:00

As promised earlier in the month, I'm sharing my Ruby Rock-It Paper Doll projects.

This clock has a tag for it's face and is suspended it from a photo frame. A hole is punched through the acrylic to allow the hands to be attached to the clock mechanism (hidden behind the tag).

This went out to Kim

These two cards were part of a class for pre-teen girls where they learnt to layer paper and embellishments. As the Felties and Chipboards came in a range of colours, they had a creative time choosing their favourites. Each girl ended up with unique cards based on their selected combinations.

This was for Rachel
Linking up to these parties.

Clock Products : Paper Doll PD50 Tokens, Paper Boy PBY73 Tokens, Wedding WBR78 Rhinestone Blush
Card Products : Paper Doll (PD35 Felt Icons, PD50 Tokens, PD72 Cards and Envelops), Wedding WBR78 Rhinestone Blush, Fundamentals FNA05 Chipboard Accents Pink
Card Products : Paper Doll (PD50 Tokens, PD59 Border Stickers), Wedding (BWT53 Narratives Pink, WBR78 Rhinestone Blush), Fundamentals (FI47 Felt Icons Hearts, FNA05 Chipboard Accents Pink)

Vintedge Preview

2012-01-02T18:18:00.001+08:00

To celebrate a brand new year and the debut of our new ranges, we are throwing a Vintedge party at Ruby Rock-It this week. Our designers will be showing you how they use this collection to make fun-filled party projects.

No party is complete without guests and presents. You are invited to join in the celebration. Just head over and leave a comment on this post. On January 7, one commenter will be chosen to win the entire Vintedge collection.

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:02:00.000+08:00

Wishing everyone a very happy 2012 !

This was for Moses

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Collection Elements tissue, white cardstock, gold string, K&Company Christmas Cheer, MLYB Christmas Eight stickers, tulle

Ruby Rock-It Sneak #2

2011-12-26T20:02:00.000+08:00

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas ! And getting excited about celebrating the New Year.

Here's a sneak at the second new collection that will be released next year. More to come on the Ruby Rock-It blog . . .

Merry Giftcard Holder

2011-12-25T00:09:00.000+08:00

Are you a fan of giving giftcards at Christmas ? I am for whose taste I don't know too well. To personalise these presents, I make pretty little holders for them. Sharing three I made earlier in the year where I experimented with different types of closures.

This was for a private commission for Gloria.

This is an envelop-style holder. The flap is held down by a raised journal card. The bell and metal charm gives off a little jingle when shaken. My first musical paper-craft project !

I had the most trouble with getting those slippery bead strings to stay on. After trying several adhesive, Helmar's 450 came to the rescue.

Linking up to these parties.

Merry supplies : MYLYB Christmas Delight christmas morning paper, stickers and Lace Paper poinsettia, Kaisercraft Belle die-cut element, Amercian Crafts Mementos festive, bead string, silver bell, silver charm, bling

Joyeux Noel Holder

2011-12-25T00:03:00.001+08:00

My second giftcard holder has a diagonal-slit opening. A little tab in the corner holds the card in place. I dressed up the slit with some fussy-cut swirls border patterns and bling.

This is for Ben

Linking up to these parties.

Joyuex Noel supplies : MYLYB Christmas Delight christmas morning, 'tis the steason stripe, very merry ornaments papers; Basic Grey Bling It, Pink Paislee Mistletoe borderlines clear stickers

Blessed Giftcard Holder

2011-12-25T00:01:00.003+08:00

My final holder has the most intricate closure. I've included some making-of pictures to explain show it was done.

This was a private commission for Gloria

First I made a pocket to hold the giftcard. The layered embellishments serves to conceal the ends of two pieces of twine.

Next I added two eyelets on a die-cut shape

The pocket went on top of the die-cut shape. To fasten, the twine is passed through the eyelets and tied-off.

I had a lot of fun playing with the different types of closures for my giftcard holders. In fact it's wonderful crafting for the holidays these past two months. Wishing every one a very Merry Christmas and see you in the New Year !

Linking up to these parties.

Blessed is the Season supplies : MYLYB Christmas Delight christmas morning paper, Kaisercraft Belle die-cut elements, K&Company Christmas Cheer paper andLife's Journey paper pad packaging, Basic Grey Bling It, grommets, twine

Ruby Rock-It Sneak #1

2011-12-20T00:02:00.000+08:00

Christmas is round the corner and before you know it CHA will be upon us.

So how about I sneak you a peek at a new collection that'll be making it's debut in January ?

If you're tantalised, keep an eye on the Ruby Rock-It blog for the full reveal. It's all coming very soon . . .

Noel

2011-12-20T00:01:00.005+08:00

I'm a cardmaker who love to try new things. For a challenge, I dared myself to make a Ruby Rock-It Christmas card without using seasonal supplies. In addition, I limit myself to only embellishments, no paper allowed.

This was for Amy

This was the card I came up with. I mat a red acrylic fleur-de-lys pattern behind a silver one from the Wedding journal card. Then jazzed things up with some glamourous, glittery bling. The overall effect is just Christmasy enough for me.

Linking up to these parties.

Ruby Rock-It Supplies : Wedding (BWR35 RSVP Cards Silver, BWT60 Narratives Black, BWR54 Rhinestone Clear, BWW22 Wedded Foiled), Fundamentals (FNF34 Fancies Foiled Sheets Red, FN66 Sparkle Alphabet White, FF30 Florals Daisy Silver, RB42 Ribbon Bucklez Round)

Joy

2011-12-16T00:03:00.002+08:00

I've got more Christmas projects to share. This time for Artfull Crafts . I used old Kaisercraft Christmas collections Belle and Dear Santa on my cards. First up is a card based on the concept of layering five squares. I skewed the smaller squares to avoid an overly static look. So would find it over-the-top but I love the added dimension from the bottle cap, paper clip and embriodered badges.

This was for Joe

This next card is also a play on squares. This time I used journal cards laid out on a linked line. The small connective elements serves to create the feel of an open book page. Layering red-on-red-on red worked pretty well to inforce the festive nature of this card.

This card went out to Dora

You still have time to play along with Artfull Craft's Christmas Countdown Challenge. The theme next week is Stocking Stuffers. Just email your projects to entries@artfullcrafts.co.nz to be in the running for some great prizes.

Linking up to these parties.

25th Supplies : Kaisercraft Dear Santa (embroidered badge, rub-ons), Maya Road bottle cap, Sassafras (Apple Jack translate, Life is Beautiful Rose Thicket), Graphic 45 Chrstimas Past Merry Christmas, 7Gypsies Avignon orchestra, other papers unknown

Joy Supplies : Kaisercraft (Belle die-cut elements, Coral sparklets), Teresa Collins World Traveler 6x6 paper pad, MLYB Christmas Eight starry night, American Crafts Festive Mementos, baker's twine.

Reindeer Advent Calendar

2011-12-16T00:01:00.002+08:00

This year I kept playing with different ideas for Advent Calendars until it was almost too late to make them. Since they were going to hold little Lego characters, I finally settled on twenty-four reindeers. It was a huge rush but I did get them done in time.

The baby reindeer measured 2"x2" while the largest one was 6"x4" sized. Initially they were going to have antlers made from pipe-cleaners. However I spied some plastic snowflakes on sale at S$1.50 for a pack of three. Cut into smaller pieces with some tinsel wrapped around them, they worked wonderfully glued to the ears of the reindeers.

The template I used was from an craftbook by Suzie Millions. Her reindeers were created from recycled beer cans. But I found 150gsm papers worked just as well for holding little treats.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Bo Bunny Blitzen (Snow Globe, Reindeer Games), Maple Treehouse ribbon, googly eyes, plastic snowflakes, tinsel

Partying Snowmen (OPP #1)

2011-12-09T00:03:00.003+08:00

I nearly skipped my One Paper Project for December. It was tempting as things are crazy busy here. But what do I know ? When my design team package arrived from Hobby Sew, nestled inside were two perfect OPP papers.

I started OPP in June to focus on using up one paper to create multiple projects. Well I'm bending the rules a little this month. Instead I'll share three projects made using two Bo Bunny papers : Cut-Outs and Patchwork.

These went out to Helen and Karen

First the cards. These tall cards are a tribute to this initial OPP card. Instead of my regular inside-out design process, these required me to work top-down. While I was very conscious of the proportions of each segment, I also had fun with them. The snowmen were placed standing under the street lamp as I made up a story about them having partied too much and missed the last bus home. Hence this post's title.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Bo Bunny Blitzen (Patchwork, Cut-Outs, Dimensional Stickers), Basic Grey Bling It, Ruby Rock-It Fundamentals Rub-on Flourishes)

Trim the Tree (OPP#2)

2011-12-09T00:02:00.004+08:00

My Christmas CD Holder has a 6"x6" frame from the Cut Out paper on the front. This photo was shot at sunset so the glitter and shimmer of the chipboard ornament doesn't quite translate. When the holder comes back from display at the Hobby Sew shop, I'll post a better close-up picture.

On the back, I slipped a Trim the Tree journal card onto a dangling sign. And finished it off with a snowflake brad. After making the cards and this holder, I'm left with just two journal cards. They will go quietly into my Christmas stash to await a suitable project next year.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Bo Bunny Blitzen (Patchwork, Cut Outs, Reindeer Games), Kaisercraft (Wood Flourishes, Christmas Spirit brad), Basic Grey Bling It, Around the Block Tiny Type Letters, baker's twine, CD Holder

Last KCK Projects

2011-12-09T00:01:00.010+08:00

As the saying goes : Time flies when you are having fun. I had a fabulous two years designing for KCK. The new year brings changes and they have decided to discontinue the KCK blog. Thank you Mr K. for the wonderful opportunity and here are my farewell projects.

My final layouts are created with a brand I've never used before : Webster's Pages. To challenge myself, I didn't go the intricately layered and embellished route. Instead I went clean and simple, working only with papers to create one-layer projeects. Readers of my blog will know how scary that is for me.

My Beauty layout pairs a photo of my niece's bling with Webster's Trendsetter. Much of the credit goes to my Artfull Crafts design team members. Without Lisa, Lowri and Liz's constructive advice, I could never have achieved coherence with this design.

Watchful is even more minimal, although a rebellious streak made me slightly skew the photo alignment. I thoroughly enjoyed working so far out of my comfort zone and both layouts appeal tremendously to me. However I don't think I'll be abandoning my regular style anytime soon.

Linking up to these parties.

Webster's Pages Trendsetter Supplies : Trendsetter (Style 105, Fashionista, Journalling Cards), Yatch Club captain's notes, Ladies & Gents (Groomed Traveler, Time of My Life)

Ruby Rock-It's December Giveaway

2011-12-02T23:00:00.000+08:00

Can you believe we are in the last month of 2011 ? This year just flew by for me.

I know December for many of you is all about preparing for Christmas. For us in Singapore, this month brings the annual school holidays. My teaching schedule picks up with additional classes to cater for crafty little kids.

I received two packages from Ruby Rock-It already and been crafting up a storm. Promise to show you a couple of them later this month. You can win yourself some Ruby Rock-It goodies too.

Just leave a comment on the Ruby-Rock It blog by 15 December.

Origami Wreath Tutorial

2011-12-02T00:01:00.006+08:00

With the school holidays in Singapore and Christmas round the corner, it's a busy time of year. That's my excuse for not posting any tutorials for a while. Well, I have one today. It's based on Mette Pederson's modular unit origami. To create it, you make 12 interlocking units from 12 pieces of paper. The diameter of the final wreath is the same as the size of one piece of paper.

This was for Lowri

Tutorial :

Draw these lines on your 6"x6" paper and valley fold along them
Fold according to these steps.
Make 12 units
Insert the tab of one unit into the pocket of the other to form the wreath

Hope you have fun folding this origami wreath.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : gcd studios Christmas Sleigh papers, Best Creation Merry Christmas sticker, Maple Treehouse ribbon.

Sandy's Challenge #6 - Winner

2011-11-25T00:03:00.000+08:00

Judge's Prize Winner

Gini picked entry #24 by Luzma for this challenge's winner. Here's what Gini said : I loved Luzma's work! So that is an easy pick for me! I love the dimension on her layout, the color balance was great and her misting/painting really kept interest in her white space areas. I think she did a fabulous job and has a wonderful design sense.

Congrats Luzma ! Your layout is also my favourite for this challenge. please email me at angsandy@yahoo.com.sg so I can send your prize out to you.

With this post, I am wrapping up Sandy's Challenge. I've had a wonderful time hosting these twelve months. Thank you to everyone who linked up and all the judges who picked their favourites. I'll leave you with a card inspired by all the lovely girl-themed entries from #6.

This card went out to Katie

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Echo Park Victoria Garden journalling cards, Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends (junk drawer, trinkets), Basic Grey Out of Print stickers, Green Tara Two Tone wave ribbon red

Distress Ink Giveaway (Winner Updated)

2011-11-25T00:01:00.002+08:00

Are you a stamper ? Do you love Tim Holtz's distress inks ? If you are I have a treat for you. A giveaway of the Seasonal Series Winter 2011 inks sponsored by Singapore-based scrapbooking store Maple Treehouse.

One lucky winner will receive all three limited edition colors: "Evergreen Bough", "Festive Berries" and "Iced Spruce". They are sure to add a bit of winter magic to your creations.

To enter this giveaway, you need to leave a comment on Maple Treehouse's Facebook page telling them which colour is your favourite. I'll pick a winner on 8 December 2011 and announce it here. Maple Treehouse is happy to ship the prize anywhere internationally.

While you are over on their Facebook page, check out their Christmas Challenge which runs from now until 31 December 2011. You could walk away with some wonderful prizes.

Winner Update :

Thank you to everyone who commented. Seems like Ice Spruce is a favourite. The lucky winner is Madey Lim. Please email me angsandy@yahoo.com.sg so I can arrange for you to collect your prize.

Jacobsen

2011-11-21T00:01:00.004+08:00

Today's project is very close to my heart. One combining threes things I love : scrapping, architecture and travel. It's my Arne Jacobsen mini-book created as a design project for Artfull Crafts.

I visited Denmark in my twenties and made a point of driving around the country to see Jacobsen's works. Not having brought along a camera, I don't have any photos of my trip. So it was great when I found Seier + Seier's amazing Flickr gallery of pictures tagged with a Creative Commons licence - granting freedom to adapt and make commerical use of them.

For a project celebrating the beautiful proportions and clean lines of Jacobsen's buildings, I went back to my naturally classic style. Embellishments were kept to a minimum and the design is clean and simple to allow the photos to take center stage. The graphic simplicity of Teresa Collin's World Traveller collection suited it wonderfully.

The base was a 7Gypsies 6.5"x4.5" accordian book. It included a couple of 4.5"x3" pages which provided the opportunity to add some variety.

I also played with fonts in this project. Incorporating the titles Arrhus City Hall and External Staircase digitally allowed me to achieve a perfect match to the photos. As Jacobsen himself famously said "The primary factor is proportions."

Here's another example where I journalled above and below the photo in different font sizes. Also layered a smaller version of the winding staircase photo on top of a regular-sized one. It highlights one of my favourite features of Jacobsen's work : his staircases. That's all for now, I have twelve blank pages on the flip-side which I'll work on after Christmas.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Teresa Collins World Traveler (Filmstrip, 6x6 Paper Pad, Clear Stamps), Teresa Collins Notations Alphabet, Organza Ribbon Yellow, 7gypsies (Stacked Accordian journal, 97% Complete stickers Photographie), Weave Extras teeny tiny letter stickers, Teresa Collins Travel Ledger (Tags, Library Envelops, File Folders, Die-Cut Sheets), Teresa Collins Journal-it Calendar Time

Christmas Photography

2011-11-15T00:02:00.008+08:00

Thank you to all for your kind comments on my photography. I'm a self-thought photographer using a $50 point-and-shoot on auto setting. So I don't have any fancy technical tips. However Christmas is the perfect opportunity to jazz up your pictures with some fun staging. Here are three ideas you might like to try :

This went out to Joyce

My December 25 Tag is fairly large-sized measuring 2.75"x5". I sat it on a saucer and propped it up on an inverted teacup. Then threw down some tinsel to create a festive mood. You want to frame tightly on your tag so that the tinsel meanders in and out of your picture anchoring the main image.

These went out to Lowri and Jaz

In this shot, I put a Christmas wreath on top of a sheet of textured wrapping paper. Then placed two smaller tags against the bottom edge of the wreath. Again crop in tight on the tags so that only part of the wreath shows up in the picture. That way it works to enhance the mood but isn't too distracting.

This was for Soraya

You can also give your project a whimsical treatment. I placed my giftcard holder between the handles of a binder clip (some people call it a bull dog clip). Sat the clip on a baking tray and encircled the clip with tinsel to hide it. To add an element of surprise, I tilted my camera slightly before snapping.

Hope you have fun with your photography.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Best Creation Merry Christmas (papers, element stickers, combo stickers, expression chipboards). Maple Treehouse ribbon, baker's twine

Christmas Tree Ornaments

2011-11-15T00:01:00.002+08:00

For my second Christmas post today, I'm sharing something a little retro : little dress-form tree ornaments. I was inspired by minature felt garments that Tone Finnanger made. Here I adapted them for paper.

Just draw your tent dress or sweater pattern. Cut them out twice on pattern paper. On the second piece include glue tabs along the top and sides to hold your ornament together. To embellishment I used ribbons, trims and Webster's cabochon flowers. The wire hangers were simply re-purposed paper clips.

If you fancy more Christmas inspiration, head over to Artfull Crafts' Christmas Countdown. This week they have a Cards to Impress challenge where you can win two of my favourite Christmas collection papers. It's all happening over here.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Best Creation Merry Christmas papers, Webster's Pages Roses in Bloom, ribbons, trims, paper clips

Merry Christmas Cards

2011-11-11T00:02:00.006+08:00

Artfull Crafts has started their Christmas Countdown. The design team will be inspiring you with themed projects each week. The categories are Simple Cards, Layouts, Cards to Impress etc. You can play along by emailing photos of your Christmas projects to entries@artfullcrafts.co.nz for a chance to win lovely Kaiser Craft collection prizes.

This was for Richard

I naturally chose to work with Best Creation's Merry Christmas collection for Artfull Crafts. It has classically designed elements like bells, wreaths and trees mixed with more contemporary images of stockings, candy canes and santas. All in a traditional colour palette of red and green with some gold mixed in.

This card was for Macy

Have you started on your Christmas crafting ? December 25th is not that far away - only one and a half months to go.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Best Creation Merry Christmas (Papers, Expression Chipboard, Combo Sticker, Element Sticker) Best Creation cardstock, Basic Grey Bling It, K&Company Christmas Cheer paper

Christmas Candles

2011-11-11T00:00:00.007+08:00

Once I've made my cards and layouts, there's always scraps left over from my Christmas supplies. Instead throwing them away or consigning them to the scrap pile for next year, I put them to good use for home decor. Started with some plain candles from Ikea. These ones are 2.5" tall with a diameter of 2". Then used the bits and pieces to dress them up.

I stuck the Snow Fun sticker and two present stickers on a journal card. Then embellished with two star brads and baker's twine bows. To glue the journal card on the candle, I used glossy accent to get a good adhesion. Total of five minutes to complete the whole project.

These are for Jaz

My second candle has a band of Red Swirl Bell and another of Red Wallpaper wrapped around it. For added dimension, I trimmed the leaves off two poinsettia stickers and stuck them on a third poinsettia with a brad. That goes in the center with a line of bling to finish off the look.

Placed on a glass plate with some tinsel and silver bubbles, and you have a lovely table or mantel accent. Just remember they are only for decoration and you shouldn't light the candles.

Linking up to these parties.

I'm on the Team

2011-11-07T20:42:00.003+08:00

Happy News ! I made the Ruby Rock-It Team.

Ruby Rock-It is an Australian manufacturer of vintage style papers and richly textured embellishments. I'm so happy to be on their first design team, together with these creative designers :

Rachel Carlson (Coordinator) - Oregon
Sarah Hill - Indiana
Amanda Jones - UK
Rebecca Keppel - Arizona
Gina Lideros - California
Becky Olsen - Utah
Benedicte Raphalen - France
Debbie Sherman - Wyoming
JJ Sobey - Canada
Carrie Walz - Illinois
Jodi Wilton - Canada
Erin Yamabe - California
Keely Yowler - Kentucky

Hope you'll head over to the Ruby Rock-It Facebook page, Rachel is giving away this when we hit 300 'likes'

My First Ruby Rock-It Post

2011-11-07T20:41:00.003+08:00

I thought it'll be fun to reproduce my first Ruby Rock-It post. I shared a little about myself and a photo of my craftroom that's never been on my blog before.

I'm a forty-something living on the tropical island of Singapore. While I like to think I own a pet cat named Bun Bun, those close to us know he's the one who calls the shots in our relationship. My artistic inclination is inherited from my mom who painted water-colours. From my father, I've picked up the invaluable habit of taking an afternoon nap most days.

I craft in my basement scrap-room. As you can see I'm something of a neat-freak who has to have a completely clean desk when I start a project.

This layout of me and my sister is currently my favourite Ruby Rock-It creation. There are lots of childhood photos of us together but this picture is a rare one of the two of us grown-up. I was inspired by the quotation "Be to her virtues, very kind. Be to her faults a little blind" to scrap this layout.

This card was for Kiki
My first love is cardmaking. I don't create in a particular style. Sometimes my cards are balanced and classic, and sometimes they go quirky and eclectic. Mainly I play with lines and shapes to produce layered, textural cards.

This card went out to Kirsty
I submitted two other projects to the Ruby Rock-It design team call. One is a Tag Clock, while the other is a set of Altered Milk Bottles. You can check them out in the November issue of Ginger Scraps Street. Thank you Dora for featuring me in your magazine !

One Paper Projects

2011-11-02T12:55:00.001+08:00

Last month was so busy, I didn't get around to my One Paper Project. It is a monthly series where I chose one pattern paper and create multiple projects from it with the view to completely using up the paper.

Le Cirque Borders Front and Back views

For November, I used this Graphic 45 paper to create a series of Running Away to the Circus artist trading cards. I made seven cards altogether for my ATC Group's annual show at the Bishan Library.

I love how this one double-sided paper captured all the designs of the Le Cirque collection. The postage-stamp sized images made perfect little focal points for ATCs. For backgrounds, I pieced together several of the 1" to 2" tall patterned strips. There are also a couple of labels for my titles.

Beyond the circus theme, all the ATCs featured some textile or sewing element. I incorporated bits of lace, bakers' twine, buttons and even feathers. This blue one is probably my favourite of the series.

Linking up to these parties.

Run Away to the Circus (OPP #1)

2011-11-02T12:54:00.001+08:00

I made three horizontal format ATCs in the series and here are two of them. I accidentally deleted the photo of the third. If it comes back in one piece from the exhibition, I'll include it in this post.

I couldn't work with Le Cirque without showing these elephants all dressed up and puffing away on their bicycles. Perhaps not exactly death-defying but still managing to hold your attention against that busy background of checks, dots and stars.

On this one, I used bits of scrap to make a banner across the top. It's a fantastic idea I found on the amazing Tara Anderson's blog.

Linking up to these parties

Graphic 45 Supplies : Le Cirque (Borders, Tags, Magnifique, Le Cirque, Circus Parade, Bohemian Floral ), Curtain Call (Curtain Call, Tour de France, The Cinema), Staples Chipboard Buttons
Others : Prima flowers,Basic Grey glazed brad, gcd Studios epoxy sticker, Tim Holtz metal foliage, Diamante Crafts gem, buttons, doily, ticket, plastic turtle, tulle, ribbons, laces, button, baker's twine, feathers, metal foliage, plastic squares

Run Away to the Circus (OPP #2)

2011-11-02T12:53:00.001+08:00

Here are the four vertical ATCs in the 'Run Away to the Circus series'.

I love the feathery cascade pinned by a rat's nest of red, gold and black threads. Although I piled on plastic (yellow squares), metal (leaves) and sequins, the little acrobat manages to hold her own and command your attention amidst everything that's going on. I feel my loose and messy style has finally arrived with this design.

This is probably the simplest ATC of the series with lots of 'white' space around that signature Le Cirque clown. The frugal crafter in me enjoyed using up all those tiny scraps of ribbons in my stash.

Everyone who saw this ATC asked me why I included the turtle. The only explaination I had was that I needed a middle anchor on this card and this little guy was peeping out at me from my miscellanous embellies box.

Wonder is an exercise in balancing vertical stripes with circular elements. Just to add an element of chaos, I bunched up some lace down the right.

Hope you enjoyed this month's OPP projects. And may you'll look at borders and strips pattern papers with new eyes the next time you go supplies shopping. Oops I nearly forgot to mention that this series is also my November design project for KCK.

Linking up to these parties

Graphic 45 Supplies : Le Cirque (Borders, Tags, Magnifique, Le Cirque, Circus Parade, Bohemian Floral ), Curtain Call (Curtain Call, Tour de France, The Cinema), Staples Chipboard Buttons
Others : Prima flowers,Basic Grey glazed brad, gcd Studios epoxy sticker, Tim Holtz metal foliage, Diamante Crafts gem, buttons, doily, ticket, plastic turtle, tulle, ribbons, laces, button, baker's twine, feathers, metal foliage, plastic squares

Autumnal Candleholders

2011-10-28T00:02:00.002+08:00

My aunt's tenant misses the glorious autumns of her hometown in southern China. She described how the falling leaves would blanket the hillside for miles. Inspired by her story, I dressed up some glass candleholders with stickers from Best Creation's fall collections for a dinner party.

Must say I'm impressed by the adhesion of the stickers. As I wanted a dimensional effect, I didn't seal the finished holders with a coat of Podge Modge. Yet they stayed on well and got through the dinner splendidly. If you alter candleholders this way, remember to watch them at all times when lit.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Best Creation stickers & metal tags , Maple Treehouse ribbons, Candleholders

The ones with scarecrows

2011-10-28T00:01:00.003+08:00

When I was little, I used to have a fear of scarecrows. It stemmed from an illustrated book where these decoys loomed menacingly in a large paddy field. I can remember neither the book's title nor the story, only the image of that one scary page.

This card went out to Jessica

As a sort of therapy, I made these twin scarecrow cards. While Best Creation's version are cute and colourfully dressed, it still felt slightly uncomfortable creating with them. As a result, they are almost purely paper with minimal embellishment.

This card was for Rachel

I'm lucky my fear isn't of butterflies, owls or any typical Halloween character. Otherwise, it'll put a serious kink in my supply selection. How about you ? Do you have any childhood fears ? If so, do you avoid scrapbooking supplies with those motifs.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Best Cration Hello Fall papers, metal tag, Basic Grey Bling It

Sandy's Challenge #6

2011-10-21T00:01:00.011+08:00

Time for Sandy's Challenge #6. Since we had little boys for the last challenge, it's only fair that our theme focus on little girls now. It can be a card stamped with a girl's image or a layout with pictures of your young daughter. So come and link up.

This was for Maya's daughter Eva

Gini Cagle who designs for Authentique and Best Creation, is our challenge judge. She will pick her favourite entry to win this Echo Park prize :

10 pcs of 6"x6" patterned papers, 4 journal cards and 2 sheets of 12x12 sticker

The Nitty Gritty :

any type of handmade project - layout, mini-album, card, altered object, ATC, home decor, sewn item
you can link up new or old projects (even those created before October 2011)
multiple entries welcomed
feel free to combine your entry with other challenges
mention Sandy's Challenge #6 if you can
link up by 18 November
the winner will be announced on 25 November
I'll ship the prize worldwide

Hope you'll play along and have fun creating !!

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Crate Paper (Portrait Accent Cut and Borders stickers, Emma's Shoppe Phrases stickers) clothes peg.

Pink !

2011-10-14T00:02:00.004+08:00

Since we are three-quarters of the way into 2011, I figured it's time I tackled Pantone's colour of the year : Honeysuckle. Making something that is mostly pink was surprisingly easier than I imagined it would be.

This tag was for Lori

I started with a Thanks a Bunch tag from Cosmo Cricket. Extended it's length with rows of horizontal and vertical cross-stitched motifs from the same paper. Then popped on some chipboard hearts and embellished them with flag tails and buttons.

Satified with how my pink tag turned out. But I think I'll be glad to see Pantone's next fashionable colour prediction. How about you ? Are you a fan of pink ? Or do you tend to avoid this colour ?

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Cosmo Cricket Honey Pie Journal Card, Basic Grey Basics Rub-on, Best Creation Chipboard, Prima flowers, buttons, ribbon, baker's twine, bead

Something Sweet

2011-10-14T00:01:00.004+08:00

Continuing with this month's theme of candy-coloured cards, here is one that I made a while ago using bits and pieces from my stash. I normally work within a collection for my design team projects so it was fun to mix and match when I'm creating just for myself.

This card was for Maya

To add texture and variety to this relatively simple card, I layered a pink-striped acrylic tag on top of a chunky pokka-dotted one. Then sewed on some white fibers. The white embossed flowers on the top was actually a perfume card from Chanel.

There you go, something sweet from me to cheer up your October.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : gcd studios (Cosette Pearls, Homespun Chic Inspiration card), Making Memories ( red & pink Jigsaw Shapes, Glitter Clears, Noteworthy Glitter Die-cuts), Kaiser Craft rub-on, Acrylic tag, fiber, perfume card

Odds and Ends I

2011-10-09T00:02:00.001+08:00

Last month for Artfull Crafts I got to work with Cosmo Cricket's Odds and Ends collection. In keeping with their Spring blog theme, I chose to work with the soft blue and green tones for these projects.

The starting point for this card is a green label from the Sampler paper. I folded it in half to make a sort of handle. When added to a journal card, I got a cute baby's rattle shape which was accentuated with a soft pink bow. A little sparklet on an acrylic tag and three uplifting sentiment phrases complete the card.

This went out to Jenn

This card was inspired by a lovely MME button card. I used journal cards in the center to hide the holes where the buttons were attached. A few chipboards and buttons layered together completed it. The card has a homespun charm that I couldn't have produced if I used cardstock for the base.

The focal point for this tag is an elegant Dusty Attic cameo. I gave her a soft coating of bamboo ink and spritz some sweet clover mist for subtle glitter. Then dressed her hair with a ball of white thread gathered with three half pearls. Doesn't she look chic ?

Linking up to these parties.

Cosmo Cricket Supplies : Odds and Ends (Scraps, Junk Drawer, Sampler, from Z to Z), Upcycle Chipboard Others : Dusty Attic Cameo Heads, Kariser Craft Sparlet Coral, MME Lost and Found Lovely Buttons, Basic Grey Bling it, Making Memories tag, ribbons, threads, string

Odds and Ends II

2011-10-09T00:01:00.000+08:00

Some more Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends projects for Artful Crafts. This time I went with a cerise and turquoise colour palette.

This went out to Toni

The fresh, clean colours on this card look so yummy. I couldn't resist staging it on a plate with a spoon for photography. The little candy swirls and baker's twine all come together to form what looks like a delectable desert to me.

This went out to Kim and to Toni

Beautiful crochet mats form the bases of these tag. My friend Jessi sent me a bunch all the way from Canada. They work perfectly with the trademark circles from the Odds and Ends collection. If you're keen to make a mat, hop over to her blog where she has a tutorial for it.

This is the twin to my Faith tag. It features another elegant cameo from Dusty Attic. On her, I applied a subtle niagara mist chalk and dressed her chignon with half pearls. Then I wrapped a jaunty green scarf round her neck. To fancy up the tag, I sewed little french knots inside the half-circles of the border.

I'm satisfied these projects showed off the versatility of Odds and Ends. Combined it with Upcycle chipboards, it takes on a retro feel. When paired with Dusty Attic cameos, it becomes classic and elegant.

Linking up to these parties.
Cosmo Cricket Supplies : Odds and Ends (Scraps, Junk Drawer, Sampler, from Z to Z), Upcycle Chipboard Others : Dusty Attic Cameo Heads, Kariser Craft Sparlet Coral, MME Lost and Found Lovely Buttons, Basic Grey Bling it, Making Memories tag, ribbons, threads, string

Laura Stoddart Inspired

2011-10-04T00:01:00.002+08:00

During the September school holidays, I taught some kids cardmaking with these designs created for KCK. I don't normally work with candy floss colours but those pre-teen girls just adore Be My Valentine's bright, happy colours and the clean graphic patterns.

This couple on their love bicycle is one of the designs that immediately grabbed me. It reminded me of Laura Stoddart's distinctive illustration style. I used them with a shaped frame from a quadrant paper to make this fun, whimsical card.

These cards went out to Rhonda's card for kids drive

More little cards/tags using embossible stickers on top of journal cards. I'm impressed by the subtle dimension and texture created by the raised stickers. (note to self : avoid head-on shots in future when showcasing a layered effect). Most challenging for the girls was learning how to make french knots on the corners of the yellow tag. Apparently we no longer teach needlecraft in schools here, sigh.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : We R Memory Keepers Be My Valentine ( Irresistible, Secret Admirer, Love Letters, Embossible Stickers), Basic Grey Bling it, Epiphany Crafts (acrylic button round, vintage settings), metal flowers, plastic squares

Wide-eyed

2011-10-01T00:03:00.000+08:00

This is a layout I guest designed for Papier Love, a LSS across the causeway from Singapore. It's an almost monochromatic tribute to those watery, sleep-inducing shades of green. I must have been inspired by all those amazing boy-themed projects submitted to Challenge #5.

I snapped this darling boy just before his naptime. Then cropped in tight on half his face. By cranking up the contrast and repeating the photo on the layout, I managed to focus all the attention on his wide-eyed stare.

The design consists of two elements. Using a stack of green-toned patterned papers to mat and anchor the photos onto the page. Then playing the geometrics of a lattice pattern on the top left against the jagged peaks of the banner on the bottom right (which also serves to anchor the title).

Thank you Macy for the chance to design for your store.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Basic Grey (Oliver Tory, Olivia Eliza, Hopscotch ribbon doily), American Crafts cardstock, Staz On Opaque cotton white, Pink Paislee Daily Junque wood alphas, KCK metal alphas, Websters Bloomers. Others : chipboard, button, unknown papers, vellum, ribbon

so so happy

2011-10-01T00:01:00.000+08:00

Here's the second project I guest designed for Papier Love. Mainly Basic Grey papers and doily ribbons. Pink and green with a hint of kraft gives a nice, fresh look to this card.

This card was for Keeley

This flower in the center was a Prima Clementine Vine flower. I altered it by stitching some tulle tightly to the back to create a gathered bloom. In the close-up you can see details of the pistils I tucked underneath.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Basic Grey (Hopscotch doily ribbon, Oliver adrain, Olivia candice), Prima flowers, Elle's Studio birthday pennants, chipboard labels and buttons, doly, twine, brad, American Craft cardstock

A Card Kit

2011-09-25T00:01:00.007+08:00

Just squeezing in a quick post before October comes round. I designed these four cards for Maple Treehouse. They requested a colourful publicity display suitable for a children's venue.

Imagine was the final card I made and I took the opportunity to be a little more loose and flowing with the design. I went for the loof of a child's doodling by tucking some tickets under the tilted title and messily sewing on two hearts.

This went out to Rachel

Then I heard back from Maple Treehouse that they wish to include my instructions with the supplies as a package deal on their site. I'm so pleased to have inadvertently designed my first card kit ! It's been a busy month but I couldn't have wished for a better ending to September.
Linking up to these parties.

This went out to Kim

Supplies : Refer to Maple Treehouse Colourful Cards Kit.

More Purple

2011-09-21T08:57:00.002+08:00

If the stark purples of Halloween is not your thing, how about some soft lavenders and mauve ? Best Creation challenged it's design team to use a themed collection for unrelated occasions. I chose to work with Graduation papers. There are many versatile patterns which, depending on how you accessorise them, can make either soft romantic projects or strong masculine ones.

These were for Mary and SJ

These column twist gift holders are a great way to use up left-over papers. You can make the little one using just one 6"x4" piece. To give them some feminine charm, I embellished with flowers, organza ribbon, pearls and lace trim.

Next up I created some Armchair cards using the more Graduation papers. They are super easy to make and fold flat for shipping.

Tutorial :

Cut a piece of 2"x4" paper
Glue it in the middle of a piece of 4"x7" paper
Cut around the left, top and right sides of the 2"x4" paper
Fold the card in half, propping the 2"x4" paper up

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Graduation (GP385, GP394, GP395, GP392, GP153, GP151, EC002 packaging), Jubilee GP 528. Others : Prima flowers (white) , American Craft Mementos metal charms (just dandy), floral brooch, ribbon, lace, feathers, pearl strands

Purple Rules !

2011-09-21T08:40:00.003+08:00

I read in a forum thread the other day that purple was one of the colours many scrapper cited as being challenging to work with. As for me, I enjoy using this colour and really went to town with it in these Best Creation Halloween projects.

Although this card is titled Spooky, I'd say it is more cutesy. I like the effect of the matt background contrasting against the glossy black of the house sticker, the glittery witch and title stickers. The overall look reminds me of a still from a 1970s cartoon.

Don’t panic if you need a Halloween costume in a hurry. You can alter a party hat, throw on a black coat and go as a witch. I used the scallop-circle die-cut pattern from Best Creation’s Happy Haunting line as it’s the perfect size for a hat base. Add some ribbons, stickers, feathers and you are ready to go trick or treating.

I usually pop treats into a simple drawstring pouch and use gift tags to add some Halloween spirit. Both the Booful tag and He-He-He tags are created by combining stickers, metal tags and chipboard pieces of different sizes and shapes.

My last purple project is this Boo Wreath which measures 6 inches in diameter. It was created by folding twelve pieces of 6x6 papers into modular origami units that slot together. I'll be teaching this a class at Maple Treehouse where the design was modified for Christmas. Do pop over and see that wreath.

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Happy Haunting (papers, stickers), Trick or Treat (papers, stickers, metal tags, chipboard). Other Supplies : Maple Treehouse ribbons, Basic Grey Bling It, Tim Holtz metal ball chain, drawstring pouch, feathers

Happy Halloween

2011-09-21T08:39:00.004+08:00

I know it's early but I wanted to show you my Halloween projects before they go out for publication. Best Creation's Halloween lines have lots of cute characters. My favourite is this little guy who's the center of attention on this card.

I'm still trying to figure out glitter photography. I like the how these shots captured the shine from the stickers. But for some reason the black glitter cardstock doesn't seem to show up so well.

This is my candy tub made from a simple plastic container. Happy that the scallop circle die-cut paper fit perfectly on the lid. Then it was a matter of seeing how many stickers I could fit onto a 2"x1.5" tag (amazed myself that I piled on seven of them !)

The candy that goes in them is Venco Dubbelzout from Holland. It's a salted licorice. Anyone trying it for the first time always makes a funny face. It's definitely an acquired taste.

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Glitter Cardstock black, Happy Haunting (papers, stickers, chipboard), Trick or Treat (paper, metal tags), buttons

Tissue Flowers Anyone ?

2011-09-16T23:10:00.000+08:00

I've been fiddling with something in my Hobby Sew DT pack for a while. It was sheets of tissue papers from Collection Elements. Using them for decoupage could be easy as the prints are lovely but I wanted to do something more exciting. After several rounds of experiment, I came up with these tissue flowers.

To make a 2.5" flower, use four pieces of 3" square tissue paper.

Stack the papers together and accordian fold them eight times.
Secure with thread in the middle.

Pull the top layer of paper up towards the center forming a cup shape.
Continue with the other layers.

You can add small embelishments in the center of your flower like flower pistils and a pearl brad. Hope you'll try your hand at making making these dimensional flowers.

Sandy's Challenge #5 - Winner

2011-09-16T22:00:00.000+08:00

Judge's Prize Winner

Hi everyone this is Sarah ! I first would like to thank, Sandy, for having me as a Guest Judge. I had such a wonderful time looking over all of the fantastic entries for this boy challenge, which is near and dear to my heart. It was an incredibly tough decision to chose just one winner, and this decision definitely took some time because all of the entries had something special to offer.

Ultimately, I chose the winner because of her theme that was excellently executed in her design along with enhancing and focusing on the adorable photos. I absolutely love multi-photo layouts that include the story behind the photos in the journaling. Having a little guy myself that just turned three along with two older daughters, I know how fast time flies and how quickly they grow out of their phases which makes these stories even more important to get documented. So, without anymore mumbo jumbo from me, my choice for the winner of the Boy Themed Challenge is............ #22 Mud by Shawna!! Congrats Shawna, I just fell in love with the photos and design on your boy themed layout!

Sandy's Pick Winner

My pick is also a digi-layout : Superhero by Nicole LeBlanc. I admire the graphic quality achieved through the layering of digi elements. That from-below angle of the photograph is such an interesting perspective as most of the time we are looking downwards at little kids. I'm also inspired by her use of grey which is a colour I've never considered before. It works beautifully with the black and white photo.

Ladies please email me at angsandy@yahoo.com.sg so I can send your prizes out to you.

Sandy's Challenge #6

The new challenge will start in Oct and here's a little sneak.

Giveaway (Updated for Winners)

2011-09-16T21:59:00.000+08:00

I'm so thrilled to teach cardmaking and scrapbooking classes for Maple Treehouse.

To celebrate, I'm giving away some blog candy. Just pop over to Maple Treehouse and let them know your favourite brand/collection via the chat button. I'll pick two commenters on 16 September to receive an assortment of 15 Soiree die-cuts and mini-notes each.

The two comments I picked are :

ANg who said "I love the spellbinders they are so classic and elegant!"
June Goh who said "My favourite brand is Echo Park"

Please contact me at angsandy@yahoo.com.sg for your prizes.

Accordian Needlebook (OPP)

2011-09-12T07:05:00.001+08:00

Do you sew on your crafty projects ?

I do. Half of my projects require me to put needle to paper, to thread ribbons through grommets to sew on a bow. While organizing my sewing kit, I started sketching needle storage solutions. The result is this accordian needlebook.

This is a gift for Nancy

The pretty is at the top with sewing notions like ribbons, baker's twine and buttons. I have to say I finally gave in and got myself a few of those little cabochon flowers. I used the peach here. To add some highlights, I added a pearline button, crystal flower and beaded push-pins.

It's also my September One Paper Project as I used every single bit of this Sassafras Candied paper on this project. The radiating fabric-like strips worked perfectly for a zig-zag accordian book.

Here it is opened with scraps of floral fabric to store the needles. Got them from a lady who does clothing alterations at my market. Now I need some ideas on how to organize my embriodery threads . . .

Linking up to these parties

Supplies : Sassafras Sweet Marmalade candied and Yummy Vintage darling dear, Heidi Swapp chipboard alpha ledger, Websters Pages Whimsies roses in Bloom, Making Memories Glitter Clear pieces, KCK Embellishment metal tag and crystal flower, buttons, ribbon, push pins, twine doily, cotton fabric

Golden Ginger Ale

2011-09-06T00:02:00.001+08:00

A little naughty sneaking this card in today. Other than the title, it's not food-themed. In fact I can't honestly say it has any theme. Still it was fun to indulge myself and play with some old papers in the stash.

The OA Detours paper has a 1960s mod feel to it. You wouldn't have been expected it to work with the turn-of-the-century camera image from Crate Paper's Portrait. However I think the brown and tan tones they share helped to pull this card together.

My June OPP paper is still coming in handy. Do you recognize the dress pattern lines ? Here they are transformed into an angle-of-vision pattern shooting out from the camera lens.

Linking up to these parties.

This card was for Alison

Supplies : October Afternoon (Detours garden path, Thrift Shop Last One), Crate Paper (Portrait Accent Cuts, Toy Box Accent Cuts), flower pistols

B is for Blessing

2011-09-06T00:01:00.000+08:00

The food theme continues this week with my favourite fruit. The pink and tart cherries; deep plum and juicy ones; I love them all. This card celebrates a lovely couple of months where I ate these berries nearly every week.

Design-wise B was another of my experiment with a less controlled style of cardmaking. The starting point was the classic three nested-rectangles. I skewed everything off the horizontal and vertical. Then added a large pink flourish down one side and dangling strands of red embroidery floss. A tad less busy than my usual cards as I'm also trying to conquer my fear of 'white' space.

This card went out to Stella

Linking up to these parties.

Sassafras Supplies : Starters prologue & a..b..c, Cherry Delicious winsome, Paper Crush flag banner stickers and sweet treat sticker, Life is Beautiful my dearest your lovely, Serendipity sunshine lollipop buttercream bliss, Sweet Marmalade candied, Garden buts orange chipboard
Others : Best Creation Cardstock BGP#221, MME Stella & Rose hazel lovely label sticker, Creative Imaginations Narratives pink floral

On Diet

2011-08-31T00:02:00.009+08:00

Singapore is on public holiday today to celebrate the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. I'll confess food has been on my mind most of August, as I've been dieting. When I designed a 12x12 layout class for Maple Treehouse, I created Scrapping Food for those who enjoying cooking, eating or capturing food shots.

I chose Pink Paislee's Daily Junque because the colours work so well with food photos. It's 'busy-ness' of this background paper reminds me of the clutter in my kitchen when I cook. I've used many of my techniques such as :

using circles design elements
journalling directly on photos
making clustered embellishments
selecting theme appropriate embellishments

For more details about the class and to register, head over to this link at Maple Treehouse.
Wishing everyone who celebrates a very happy Hari Raya Puasa !
Linking up to these parties

Supplies : Pink Paislee Daily Junque (news, junque, wood alphabet, twine), Cosmo Cricket tiny type alpha, Weave Extras teeny tiny letter stickers, Basic Grey glazed brad, Bottle Cap Inc antique gold, Tim Holtz Ideology hinge clips, Kamoi washi tape solid grey

Soiree !!

2011-08-31T00:01:00.012+08:00

I am so happy Maple Treehouse, an online store based out of Singapore, invited me to design classes for them. Soiree !! is a beginner's card class using Pink Paislee's birthday line. I created a 4"x5" card in bright primary colours decorated on the front and on the inside. A design suitable for wishing someone happy birthday, for inviting others to your party and for thanking others.

I think using die-cuts from the Mini Notes and Labels pack will make this class a stress-free introduction to cardmaking. Little custom touches like sewing with baker's twine and putting on the bling should add to the fun.

On the inside, there's the option to have a RSVP note pocket. The pack contains thirty pieces of mini-cards in fifteen fun designs. So there's lots of room to exercise creativity in making up to 15 unique gift tags / RSVP notes. For more details on the class and to register, head over to this link at Maple Treehouse.

Linking up to these parties.

Pink Paislee Supplies : Daily Junque (Tickets, Numbers, Wood alphas), Soiree (Music, Mini Notes & Labels, Twine), Artisan Tape lime
Others : Cosmo Cricket Tiny Type alpha, Kamoi washi tape solid grey, Diamante Crafts bling, Versa Ink in Niagara Mist, Jenni Bowlin border stickers brown, October Afternoon Mini Market stickers ledger, Weave Extra teeny tiny alphas

Snacks Anyone ?

2011-08-26T00:02:00.003+08:00

Back in May I showed some of my Baseball cards. Now I'm sharing an altered project using this Best Creation collection. It's a snack tray made from corrugated cardboard and paper-cups. I had a lot of fun making this project, and even more snacking on the goodies afterwards.

I was inspired by the Burgeff company who designed a cardboard coffee tray using 4 circles puched-out from a circular corrugated cardboard. Not being a coffee drinker, I modified the design using a die-cut paper and turned it into a snack tray.

Tutorial :

Use this template to center four 2 ¼” circles on the Baseball die-cut paper and cut out the circles

Trace and cut-out the same shape from corrugated cardboard

Glue the baseball die-cut paper onto cardboard

Cover the circles with brown pattern paper on both sides and cut 1” notches in each circle

Insert the notched circles into each corner of the cardboard tray

Cover four paper cups with brown pattern paper and decorate with sticker and chipboard embellishments

Insert the paper cups into the circular cut-outs in the tray

Linking up to these parties.

Baseball Supplies : 6"x6" glitter pad ,Glitter Paper #BB006, Glitter Die-Cut paper #BB010, Element Sticker, Combo Stickers, Expression Chipboard
Others : Jillibean soup journalling sprout, corrugated cardboard, paper cups

Blast Off

2011-08-26T00:01:00.008+08:00

Another week of projects with boy appeal. I used Best Creation's Robot, a collection full of spaceships, robots and planets. First up is a Rocket treat-holder, created as a tribute to all those inspiring NASA spaceshuttle missions.

On the left is the Rocket photographed just after it's made. I shot it indoors on my Bo Concept craft table (I'm crazy about that shade of orange). On the right, is where the happy recipient launched it in the garden. I'm pleasantly surprised by how well the white balance turned out. And impressed with the virtual elimination of glitter reflection. Will have to experiment with more indoor photography . . .

This is my Blast Off catch-all. Best Creation tied-up with Clear Scraps in April so I got to play with a staggered chipboard mini-album. Since I don't scrap, I made a catch-all meant to be a temporary holder for a boy's things like school letters and party invitations. If you'd like to turn your album pages into an off-the-page project, here's the tutorial.

Tutorial :

Trace your chipboard shape onto pattern paper. Twice for each shape and cut out

Paint the edges of your chipboard

Make some 'V' tabs which will hold the chipboards together. Glue tabs to the sides of chipboard

Cover chipboard with pattern paper cut-outs. Glue up the right tab

On the longest chipboard piece, add a die-cut border to the bottom as a 'feet'

And there you have it - a completed catchall

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Robot Supplies : glitter dot papers BGP215, pattern paper (R007, R008, R011), stickers, expression chipboard, 6"x6" glitter pad Other Supplies : Clear Scraps Mini Album, Basic Grey Bling It

Let's Hear it for the Boys (Aug OPP)

2011-08-19T00:02:00.002+08:00

Last week while celebrating Singapore's 46th birthday, I got happy mail from Artfull Crafts. They picked me to be on their new design team. Thank you Liz and Lowri for making it a very memorable National Day.

Artfull Crafts is running a month long "Let's Hear it for the Boy's" challenge. In keeping with this theme, I'll be blogging masculine projects this week and next. First up is a pair of cards suitable for both big and little boys.

This card is for Alison's husband

Most people use journalling cards for scrapbooking. But I found that they are equally suited to cardmaking. I managed to make two cards using just one piece of Toy Box Accent Cuts paper. The only extra supplies needed are some trim stickers and fussy-cut flowers.

My tip is select two journal cards with smaller patterns and two with larger ones. Layer them so that your favourite elements are shown. For example, I covered up the "BIN" on the bingo card to leave an appropriately worded "GO" for my Adventurous card. Then add an organically-shaped item (like the little boy or the fussy cut flowers). It will break-up the static feel created by all the linear elements of the journal cards.

Toy Box Accent Cuts paper (front and back views)

Back in April, I used four of the journal cards for my Apothecary Label Tags. Now I've incorporated all the rest into these August One Paper Projects. Even the little polka dotted border strip put into use. That makes it a really 'hardworking' paper in my book.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Crate Paper (Toy Box Accent Cuts, Portrait Accent Cuts and Border Stickers), Basic Grey Basics Trim

Sandy's Challenge #5

2011-08-19T00:01:00.014+08:00

Welcome to my 5th Challenge. First I want to apologise for the misleading sneak peak I posted here. It would have made for a fun circus themed challenge but I forgot my inspiration project is out for publication this month. So for this challenge, I'm looking for little boy projects. It can be a card stamped with a boy's image or a layout with pictures of your young son. So come and link up.

Sarah Mullanix, who designs for Donna Salazar, is our challenge judge. She will pick her favourite entry to win this Bella Blvd prize :

6pcs of 6"x12" paper, assorted journal cards, stickers and an acrylic stamp

The Nitty Gritty :

•any type of handmade project - layout, mini-album, card, altered object, ATC, home decor, sewn item
•you can link up new or old projects (even those created before Aug 2011)
•multiple entries welcomed
•feel free to combine your entry with other challenges
•mention Sandy's Challenge #5 if you can
•link up by 9 September
•the winner will be announced on 16 September
•I'll ship the prize worldwide

Hope you'll play along and have fun creating !!

Bridesmaids' Gift Holders

2011-08-12T00:01:00.004+08:00

One more wedding project to share. My August design project for KCK is a trio of trinklet boxes inspired by the rich, jewelled tones of an Indian wedding. My friend had asked for a set to hold bangles for her bridesmaids. Sad to say, her mother rejected them as not being traditional enough. So the bangles ended up being presented in the jeweller's boxes instead.

SING and DANCE share the same basic design - the circle asymmetrically divided. However the one has a vertical alignment while the other is horizontal. I think the little chipboard squares contrast nicely with the circular design.The alphas are handcut from Prima's Parterre paper. I love the font and nicely neutral colour so much that I'm hoarding an extra paper for future projects.

LOVE is photoed here stacked here on top the other two holders. You can see the botanical designs on the sides of the boxes which I selected as having a vaguely Indian feel to them. Here the circle is divided into three uneven bands. And the rich red tones are replaced by a serene blue. Pearl push pins and a hint of doily provide the touch of romance.

I brought down my 'rejects' box from the high shelf of my craftroom. It holds those 'off' projects that I thought can be salvaged someday. Well these holders are now stored in with the rest of them. Wonder if you ever hang on to items that don't quite work out as expected ?

Linking to these parties.

Supplies : Prima Madeline (Parterre, Skyward, Madeline, Ste Marie, Spring Tide, Rub-ons, Chipboard), Basic Grey glazed brads, doily, ribbon, pearl push pins.

Wedding Photo Display Frame

2011-08-07T00:01:00.005+08:00

Today's wedding project is my design project for Hobby Sew. I took my inspiration from the Delish acetate and Pink Paislee artisan tape that Helen sent. Their classic, formal design seemed perfectly suited for a double-sided photo display frame.

The display frame consists of two mini-album covers. I used artisan tape to join them together. Then ran more tape around the edges of both covers to create a border. The front features acetate sewn onto the frame with strands of pearls.

Inside are photos of my cousin and his radiant bride. Wanting to the photos to take center stage, the only embellishments I used were the metal brads that also act to fasten the acetate onto the frame. The thing to note when photographing acetate is their reflective quality. I think I rejected 10 shots before I settled on this one - not perfect but acceptable given it was double layers of acetate reflecting each other.

The back is more decorative. I highlighted the scrolling patterns of the acetate with little metal flowers that have pearl centers. They were also the points where I glued down the acetate. On all the pages, I've used 7 Gypsies pattern paper as matting. Small glimpses of the bold and colourful papers add a vibrancy to the frame.

I still have some acetate and tape left. So if you know of any interesting ways to use them, I hope you'll leave a comment and share your tips with me.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies List :
Pink Paislee Artisan Tape Sage, Coredinations Adirondack cardstock, Delish Mulberry Season Acetate Pages, 7 Gypsies (Gypsy Market Herne, Saige, Sheena; Venice Gondola, Thanks Sticker), K&Co Tim Coffery Fall Script, Prima Madeline Parterre, MME Brun Papier cardstock, Websters Pages Sparklers buttons, pearl strand, metal brads, Crate Paper Portrait Accent Cut, Graphic 45 Staples stickers, Love Elsie Chipboard album covers

Getting Hitched

2011-08-03T15:14:00.003+08:00

Wedding season is upon us and I'll be sharing a couple of celebratory projects in August. First up is this circular card specially commissioned for Jenny's friend who got married last month.

Jenny asked for a card to reflect the green garden theme of the wedding so I chose Basic Grey's Cappella collection. I used a circular journalling transparency to define the shape of the card. Then lightened the taupe, beige and brown tones by replacing the center of the journal card with a pale green paper with radiating lines.

To create a sense of anticipation, I made a petal-fold envelop for the card. Here it is opened with the circular petals enclosing the card. The next photo shows the back of the envelop. Oh, the two little butterflies are actually antique earrings. I thought they gave the a romantic finishing touch to the wedding cake.

Linking it up to these parties.

Supplies : Basic Grey Cappella (transparent journalling card, rub-on, chipboard), Basic Grey (Amrosia entice and Koshi lilo paper), Pink Paislee Starlight (spark paper), My Mine's Eye Bohemia (dark green paper), K&Co Life Journey paper, pearl butterflies, pearl strand

Sandy's Challenge #4 - Winners

2011-07-29T00:01:00.011+08:00

Judge's Prize Winner

Hi everyone this is Lolly ! Firstly I want to give Sandy a big ole HUG for having me as a guest judge for her Travel Challenge! I can honestly say that picking a winner was super difficult (I loved something about each and every entry)! There was such a variety to the projects and each was cool and unique in their own way! I went to each entry to read more on the project and check out additional photos (when available) and that actually made it even harder!

So without further delay... the winner I chose is #31 - Meghann! I absolutely love her travel journal (she documented a trip her and her husband made to France for a friend's wedding). She took her supplies with her and did some prep before she left (which I'm sure was a big help). I loved the kraft color of her journal cover (plus I'm a sucker for circles). The little extra bits and pieces she kept from the special places they went was such a nice touch (those bits and pieces are what it's all about for me). She had a lovely colorful theme and had fun photos with lots of awesome journaling throughout the whole thing! I'm sure that every time they flip through that journal, each page will bring back special memories for years to come! Amazing job Meghann (and congrats on your fabulous prize pack)! You can go check out the awesome post she did and get a closer look at her journal HERE!

Congrats Meghann ! I love how you incorporate actual ephemera in your SOTR album. It creates such a wonderfully personal feel to your project.

Sandy's Pick Winner

I'm a big fan of theme-parties and this one by Mini Mocha from Western Australia really caught my attention. It's an avaiation inspired birthday party for a four-year old and I'm blown away by all the lovely details from the placements and menus to the goodie bags and cake. Hop over to this post to check out the rest of this Vintage Plane Party. So I grabbed some more Wander papers and embellishments as an extra prize for the creator of this wonderful event.

Ladies please email me at angsandy@yahoo.com.sg so I can send your prizes out to you.

Sandy's Challenge #5

The new challenge will start in August and here's a little sneak.

Popular (OPP #1)

2011-07-22T06:29:00.007+08:00

Time to share this month's One Paper Projects (OPP). This idea is to chose one really 'hardworking' paper from my stash and completely use it up on various projects. If you're interested, go to this post for the start of the series. For June, I wanted to explore the possibilities of asymmetrical patterns for making pockets.

I picked this paper from Making Memories' Passport collection with vertical patterns running down the two edges and a quiet ledger space in the middle. For my first OPP pocket, I used the bottom right corner, focusing on the red label.

To make sure the chosen pattern shows up where I want it to, my basic pocket template consists of three parts. The only thing I had to watch out for, was to match the pattern of the bottom flap.

I positioned the body so that slightly more than half of was the damask pattern. And allowed the quiet ledger space to take up the other remainder. For contrast, I used a thin black ribbon to delineate the top edge of the pocket and a piece of deeper teal coloured paper for the flap where I put my POPULAR sentiment.

Then came my favourite part : embellishing. I created an L-shaped dimensional cluster to anchor the bottom of my pocket. The flower clip is made up of an Ephiphany Craft's plastic setting and a gcd studios paperclip. I cut the prongs off and placed the circle in the setting and the glued the prongs so they went off towards the right.

This goes out to Meghann

Scroll down to the next post for OPP #2. Linking to these parties.

Supplies : Making Memories Passort (Ledger Teal, Stripe), October Afternoon Mini Market stickers ledger, Heidi Swapp Jet chipboard alphabet, Epiphany Crafts Vintage Setting tea room, gcd studios Artsy Urban glass paperclips,Basic Grey Sultry rub-on, Cosmo Cricket Circa 1934 sticker, push pins, ribbon

Congrats (OPP #2)

2011-07-22T06:28:00.005+08:00

OPP #2 pocket is titled Congrats. If you like to start from the beginning, go to this post where the template is also available.

Using the same Making Memories paper, I tackled the top left corner this time. To create more quiet ledger space on this pocket, I positioned the body so that the Post Card flourish and the red floral border takes up less than half of the space.

For the embellishment, I created a triangle cluster to fill the bottom. It consists of two square labels, three circles (brad and buttons) and a chipboard number. The baker's twine was added to echo the red floral border.

This pocket went out to Shawna

Scroll down to the next post for OPP #3 Pocket. Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Making Memories Passort (Ledger Teal, Stripe), Making memories journalling stickerwhimsy, Crate Paper Emmas' Shoppe Phrases sticker, October Afternoon Mini Market stickers ledger, MLYB Layering Rub-Ons, Heidi Swapp chipboard alphabet, gcd studios Homespun brads, ribbon, baker's twine, buttons

You (OPP #3)

2011-07-22T06:27:00.003+08:00

Here's the last of this month's One Paper Projects (OPP) : You pocket. It uses the bottom left corner which is the only piece left of my Making Memories paper. I changed the design around a little so this OPP pocket looks a slightly different from the other two.

I turned the floral border 90 degreees so the blue ledger continues from the body up to the top flap. That allowed me to have a L-shape of red florals. And the embellishments were clustered in that L corner to create my sentiment of 'beautiful You'.

The teal paper has been moved to the bottom flap and I anchored it with a smaller embellishment cluster. Repeating what was used from the top cluster - what's left of the red label and another red brad - draws the eye along the invisible diagonal.

I initially planned to cover most of the handwritten script but I'm glad the final design allowed it to take center stage on the pocket. In case you're wondering, the pockets are numbered #4 to #6 because I intend to send them out to the winners of my next three Sandy's Challenge.

This went out to Luzma

Supplies : Making Memories Passort (Ledger Teal, Stripe papers), Crate Paper Emmas' Shoppe Phrases sticker, October Afternoon Mini Market stickers ledger, October Afternoon Thrift Shop shape stickers, MLYB Layering Rub-Ons, Heidi Swapp chipboard alphabet, Basic Grey glazed brads, ribbon, staplers, flower pistils

Linking up to these parties.

Rock Star Projects

2011-07-15T04:40:00.005+08:00

Thank You Best Creation !

Rock Star is the kind of dark, grungy collection that I would never have voluntarily chosen to work with. But when I received my package, I got three cards done the very next day (unbelieveable for a slow crafter like me). I just created without even having received my assignments from the DT coordinator.

Card #1 has a colour palatte that really draws attention : gold, black and white. I stacked two pieces of paper together and cut those lightening bolts freehand. Then shifted the top one slightly before I glued them down. Do you are like that yellow splash-paint texture ? It comes with the paper, I didn't even have to mess with mediums or anything.

This card went out to Amy

Card #2 plays off the swirl at the bottom of the label. I layered the guitars so that their long necks radiate outwards like spokes of a wheel. Together with the undulating alphas in the title, the card has a tension that normally isn't present in my works.

This card was for Silvana

More black for my next project - an organizer. The box is easily made by folding up the edges of a 6x6 paper and tying the corners with ribbons. It's fancied up with a quilt-like base made from scraps of black and white pattern paper.

Here it is filled. I always pop all the chipboard free of the package. It helps my creative process as I like to layer shape-on-shape. I'll be making several of these to store the loose pieces. Retaining the collection name in the quilted piece also helps me when making up supplies list for publication.

This went out to Jessi

Finally, card #3 where glitter takes center stage. I don't use much glitter because I can never get it to photograph properly. So I have to be quite lame and say it looks better in real life than my best shot shown here. I was building a microphone with the layered elements. Do you see it ? Or does it resemble something else to you ?

This card is for Diana

I love the energy and movement Rock Star gave to my creations. And also the bold combinations of black with yellow and black with teal which I've never used before. It feels so good to break out of my comfort zone with this collection.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies List
Card #1 : 6x6 Paper Pad , Combo Stickers , Glitter die-cut Paper #RS010, Expressions Chipboard
Card #2 : 6x6 Paper pad, Glitter paper #RS008
Card #3 : 6x6 Paper pad, Glitter paper #RS005, #RS008, #RS009, Combo Stickers, Element Stickers, Glitter Cardstock #GCS014
Organizer : 6x6 Paper pad , Glitter paper #BGP224, ribbon

Carte Postal

2011-07-09T13:30:00.006+08:00

I enjoyed playing with Echo Park so much that I created two more cards for KCK. This is created by mixing Echo Park's Be Mine with For the Record collections. But unlike my Articles of Tapestry card which featured pink with yellow, Cartle Postal has a yellow and green palette.

I was inspired to create a vignette of an auction catalogue. The first thing I did was to cut off the left side of a journal card and staple it together. Adding a tab to the side created my catalogue. Then I anchored it with an ornate frame of the black script.

To add a touch of whimsy, I put a pointing finger below the Carte Postal stamp. Then sewed randomly across the top edge of the card. The floral pattern of the fan-like border took some careful cutting as the paper also had large red flowers which I had to exclude.

Linking up to these parties

Echo Park Supplies : For the Record (Vintage Linen, Table Cloth, Apron Strings, Element Stickers) Be Mine (French Chronicle, Journal Cards) , staples

This went out to Sara

Airmail

2011-07-09T13:25:00.005+08:00

Still inspired by Pink Heather's artwork, my lift is a Parisian style card. To my mind, it speaks of promenading around in a little black dress with a dainty pink doodle underfoot.

The central focus are three postage stamp stickers. I kept the little scallop borders between the stamps but trimmed off those around the outside edges. The scallops were repurposed as a partial border on the long, grey patterned strip.

The dimensional embellishments were limited to little push pins and pink sticker hearts. I fiddled with the grey embroidery floss for quite a while before figuring out that a slanted lined looped around the half pearl worked best.

I'm addicted to making collage style cards right now. It allows me to play with shapes while learning how to be more adventurous in combining patterns and balancing the scale of patterns. An added bonus is the ability to show multiple papers when making design team projects.

This is went out to June.

Echo Park Supplies : Be Mine (Element Sticker, Journal Cards, French Chronicle) For the Record ( Newsprint, Picket Fence), embroidery floss, Basic Grey Half Pearl, push pins

Linking up to these parties

His Master's Voice

2011-07-04T09:14:00.004+08:00

The story :

Nipper was a fox terrier belonging to English artist Francis Barraud's brother. After his brother death, Barraud inherited the dog and a cylinder photograph together with a number of recording of his brother's voice. Nipper would show interest whenever the recorded voice of his late master emanated from the trumpet. This inspired Barraud' well known picture - His Master's Voice.

The story in turn inspired this card. The starting point was to find a way to show sound coming from the trumpet of the Echo Park gramaphone. I used a bloom and red tab around the hello label (which also serves as the sentiment of my card). Then I opened up the prongs of a brad and glued it on to simulate the gramaphone's needle.

This went out to Kassandra

To introduce a random organic touch, I sewed on two snap buttons with red embroidery floss. It was also a tribute to the red frame of this other Echo Park card which was made on the same day. Both are my design projects for KCK this month.

Linking up to these parties.

photo credit : HMV

Supplies : Echo Park For the Record (Advertisement, Noteworthy, Vintage Linen, Borders, Apron Strings, Element Stickers, Alpha Stickers), Basic Grey glazed brad, snap buttons

Articles of Tapestry

2011-07-04T09:10:00.004+08:00

The first half of the year has flown by and it's now July. With this card for KCK finished, I'm pleasantly pleased to find myself with all my design team projects done and a month of leisure ahead.

This card went out to Nancy

This Echo Park card is a lift of Pink Heather's amazing fine art collages. I love studying her compositions built up through blocks of squares and circles. While her work has lovely painted textures, mine is mainly pattern paper based. As a tribute, I did break out some acrylic to create the bisected background on the hot-air balloon tag.

The red frame was a rub-on. Originally the flourishes went across the top only. That didn't suit my design so I cut up the excess that went off the page and applied them down the left side of the frame. For a non-stamper like me, rub-ons are a wonderful substitute and in this case even more versatile.

Since the label said Articles de Tapisserie, I add some grey embrodiery floss. Also used red floss to delineate the bissection of the balloon. The snap button at the center of the butterfly is messily sewn on with white thread.

Linking up to these parties.

Echo Park Supplies : Be Mine (Journal Cards, French Chronicle, Element stickers), For the Record (Newsprint, Lace Stripes) Others : KCK Butterfly punch, Basic Grey Sultry rub-on, mini clothes-peg, snap button, vellum

4th of July Bi-Plane Tutorial

2011-06-30T00:03:00.000+08:00

I love making off-the-page projects to celebrate special occasions. In particular, it’s so satisfying to design decorative items for parties. They create a festive atmosphere and is often an interesting topic of conversation for the guests.

Since Independence Day is just around the corner, I’m sharing my 4th of July Bi-plane inspired by the early aviation designs of the Wright Brothers.

Tutorial :

This is the template I created using Best Creation's I Love America collection. You can substitute with any other pattern paper you prefer.

To create your own Bi-plane, start with an empty 24oz beer can. Cover the sides with pattern paper and make a ¼” hole in the bottom.
Cut out the three propeller pieces from the template. Insert them in this sequence through a straw. Insert the straw through the hole in the can
Cut out the four tail pieces from the template. Glue the two halves of the tail wing onto a 2” circle. And cut a ¾” slit in the circle.
Glue the tail wings on the top of the can, making sure the pull-tab pops out of the slit in the circle. Glue the tail piece onto the pull-tab.
Here’s how the assembled tail looks.
Glue on the two wings. Assemble the two wing struts and insert them between the wings as support.
There you've completed your bi-plane. All ready for celebrating 4th of July !

Thank you Dana for accepting my tutorial as a featured artist article for Scrapbook News and Review.

Linking up to these parties.

I Love America Supplies : Expressions chipboard, Combo Stickers, Paper IA001, IA003, IA004 and IA011 Other supplies : Beer can, straw

I Love America Cards

2011-06-30T00:01:00.008+08:00

Wishing everyone who celebrates : Happy Independence Day. Here are two cards I made for a Fourth of July swap mixing three Best Creation collections - Travel Forever, Splash Fun and I Love America.

These cards went out to Eve and to Michelle

Sorry for the sneak peak photos of the next two cards which are currently out for publication at Scrapbook News and Review. But it would be pretty anti-climatic to show them after July 4th. I promise to update this post with the proper photos once the publication blackout is over.

Both of these were swapped with Angela

I used the paper toile technique to make them. It's easy to do because there are two of each pattern in the 6x6 glitter pad. I chose the double-page balloons-across-the-sky papers. The first sheet I used as my card base. From the extra sheet, I cut out the elements like the balloons, hat and flag. Then used pop dots to glue them on top of the same image on the card base. The result is an interesting three-dimensional look.

Linking up to these parties

Best Creation Supplies : I Love America (Giltter Element Stickers, Combo Stickers, Expression Chipboard, 6x6 Glitter Pad), Travel Forever (6x6 Glitter Pad), Splash Fun (6x6 Glitter Pad)Others : Basic Grey brad, ribbon

Take a Trip with Me

2011-06-24T14:26:00.000+08:00

Anyone out there who's a fan of travel collections ? I am because to me they hold such wonderful promise of places to visit and things to see. Here are three projects using Best Creation's Travel Forever collection. It's versatile enough that I can create non-travel projects too. So happy that KCK is stocking them in store now.

Living Life is for Rachel

First up is my Living Life card inspired by the bullet nose shape of the Eurostar. The little pink scooter and the striped arrows add to the sense of movement (and I must admit my angle of photography helps too). For fan fonts, I used AR Christy for the sentiment.

Sent out to Shirl

Next is a altered box using a plastic divider that I found. In this opened view, you can see the customised compartments I made to hold my tags and labels. You can see sneaks of the collection's papers on the lid where I used part of the 6x6 paper pad cover.

And here's the cover for my box. You actually get the car, luggage, wavy road and die-cut border in one 6x6 sheet. However to play with scale, I stuck a larger car and two sets of luggage on top of the existing ones. Propping the 'N' on the plane's wing is my favourite thing from this project

This final card is meant to serve as a relocation announcement. Making it was a joy as I really enjoy 'pile-it-on' type projects. And this style seemed well suited for a card about packing all your belongings and going somewhere else to live.

Linking up to these parties.

Best Creation Supplies : Travel Forever 6x6 mini-pad Living Life supplies : Basic Grey Wanderer rub-ons, Basic Grey Pyrus epoxy sticker Tags n Labels supplies : Pink Paislee Starlight alphas, Basic Grey Capella brad, plastic divider We Moved supplies : Safari Boy 6x6 mini-pad, twine, grommet

Sandy's Challenge #4

2011-06-24T14:20:00.001+08:00

Welcome to Sandy's Challenge #4. June is when school is out for a whole month in Singapore and many families take their vacations. So I thought it'll be fun to set the theme for this challenge as :

If you need some inspiration take a look at this post.

The Prize :

Lolly Chessie, who designs for Prima and Crate Paper, will be our challenge judge. She will pick her favourite entry to win this Basic Grey Wander prize :

10 pcs of 6x6 paper
Assorted die-cut shapes and tabs

The Nitty Gritty :

•any type of handmade project - layout, mini-album, card, altered object, ATC, home decor, sewn item
•you can link up new or old projects (even those created before June 2011)
•multiple entries welcomed
•feel free to combine your entry with other challenges
•mention Sandy's Challenge #4 if you can
•link up by 22 July
•the winner will be announced on 29 July
•I'll ship the prize worldwide

Hope you'll play along and have fun creating !!

June Blog Hop Giveaway Results

2011-06-24T14:19:00.002+08:00

My giveaway goes to : Natalek

Please email your mailing address to angsandy@yahoo.com.sg so I can send out the Splash Fun supplies to you.

Try a Kit

2011-06-21T21:14:00.001+08:00

After all those structured projects this month, I'm experimenting with my 'messy' style again. Sassafras seems to be the my go-to brand when I want to make something loose and unstructured. To improve, I challenged myself to mix in other products on this project.

We laugh, we learn, we live went out to Kirsty

Since kits are hot in scrapbooking now, I decided to try creating my own. My inspiration was the colours of a lazy, hazy day in late summer. I'm pretty happy to get six different brands to work with the two Sassafras papers. And the the texture of the metals (charm, push pin, staples) offsets the femininity of the butterflies and doily nicely.

The self-made 'kit' that was used for this card.

The actual card came together really easily. Just a lot of piling things on, some gentle distressing and playing off the unexpected colour combination. I feel super creative after making this one. Baby steps, but I'm starting to be more confident doing this sort of look.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Pattern Paper - Creative Imaginations Double Vision, 7gypsies Umbria, Cosmo Cricket Everafter something new, Sassafras Mix and Mend handmade hobnob, Sassafras Apple Jack translate, Fancy Pants Wildheart titles and tags Embellishments - gcd studios Artsy Urban die-cut borders, American Crafter Mementos Festive, push pins, doily, twine, staples

Splash Fun Projects

2011-06-17T22:06:00.009+08:00

Best Creation has organized a fun weekend.

If you hop over to the Best Creation blog on June 17th & 18th, you will find lots of water-themed projects. There are guessing games with prizes to be won and many of the designers are having giveaways on their blogs. For a chance to win this, leave me a comment by June 24th :

10 pcs of 6x6 Splash Fun papers & chipboards

My first project is this paper-pieced card featuring three surfers with fabulous-looking beach bodies. I started by making each surfer's body. Then clothing them in swimwear, hat and hair. Finally adding a free swinging arm for each surfer. All of which are given relief effects by using Helmar's Zap Dots underneath.

Cool is for Tracy

I used Splash Fun for the background and sentiment. While the surf boards and swimwear are cut from my favourite collection - Rock Star. It seems an unlikely collection to fall for, but I love the sense of edgy energy it gives to four new projects I've just completed. Hope you'll check them out on the Best Creation blog later this month.

The second project is a perpetual blog calendar. I'm lucky to play with three Best Creation collections monthly. But that means I also need to keep track of the blogging schedule for them. So I made this table calendar covered with an acrylic sheet. The dates and projects can be tracked easily by writing with a water-soluable marker.

Linking up to these parties.

Card Supplies : Splash Fun (6x6 Paper Pad, Glitter Paper #SF005 & #SF009), Graduation Glitter Paper #GP395, Rock Star (6x6 Paper Pad, Glitter Paper #RS008 & #RS010), Basic Grey Bling It, Helmar Zap Dots
Calendar supplies : Splash Fun (Element Sticker, Expressions Chipboard , 6x6 Glitter Paper Pad, Glitter Paper #SF002, #SF006, #SF010, #SF011), Others : Clear Scraps chipboard album, Bella Blvd calendars paper, acrylic,

Cityscape (OPP #2)

2011-06-10T00:05:00.002+08:00

After using up those chic ladies on OPP #1 card, I turned my attention to those little sewing patterns and phrases. And used them in a completely unexpected way.

As I flipped through my holiday jotter book, I saw lots of doodling on torn map sections. The most interesting bits talked about discoveries made when I got lost. This card is inspired by all those streets - some traversed, others not taken.

Source : Michelin Edits des Voyages Paris

Like a fold-out map, my card is sized long and tall. I used small geometric scraps to lay out a skewed grid pattern. My streets interconnect, intersect and often end in cul de sacs. Squares and traffic circles were represented by little sewing patterns cut from the my OPP paper.

This card went out to Christie

I threw in a couple of metallic snap buttons and clasps for contrast. In my mind, they represent the people journeying in this imaginary cityscape. Here's a close-up of one little wanderers. For the rest of the OPP paper, I used them as matting for these M Monograms back in January

October Afternoon Supplies : Thrift Shop (last one paper, Word stickers), Daydream (lanterns and poppy garden papers), Detours( gazebo paper, journalling card), snap buttons, clasp

Linking up to these parties.

Crazy About ... (OPP #1)

2011-06-10T00:01:00.007+08:00

The first thing that grabbed my attention were the three chic ladies on this paper. So they are center stage on my June OPP #1 card which I'm calling Crazy About.

OA : Thrift Shop Last One

Crazy About is for Ana

I separated the lady with the handbag from her friends and placed her on the left. She anchors the card and the repositioning created a visual triangle. To pull them together, I used a white flower in the middle. Their length fits in perfectly with the long phrase sticker that reads : People seem to get nostalgic about a lot of things, they weren't so crazy about the first time round.

For June OPP #2, I'll use up all those sewing patterns on the top right. Check it out here.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : October Afternoon Thrift Shop (last one paper, word sticker), Cosmo Cricket Early Bird ribbon sandwich, Echo Park For the Record sticker, Hero Arts Gemstone, beads, ribbon

One Paper Projects (OPP)

2011-06-10T00:01:00.004+08:00

Oh pretty paper. . . cutie, cutie paper . . . come home with me baby.

As I said in last month's blog candy conversation on Supplies, I love paper. Especially what I call really 'hardworking' papers. Papers whose patterns provide opportunities to make a variety of distinctive projects. For a frugal crafter like me, they really stretch my dollars.

OA : Thrift Shop Last One

So I'm starting a One Paper Projects (OPP) series on this blog. The idea is to chose one paper from my stash like this one released by October Afternoon in January 2010. Create at least three projects from it to completely use up the paper.

Making Memories : Passport Ledger Teal

Next month, I'll be playing with something positively ancient -this paper released by Making Memories in June 2008. And I'd love for you to join in. If you have a hardworking paper to recommend, leave me a comment. Better still, if you've used one paper for two or more projects let me know.

Now go here for June OPP #1.