Squiggles and Giggles Monthly challenge - Design Team call

I made this card for the Squiggles and Giggles Monthly challenge which is a call for Design Team.    I am pretty excited as this is the first time I am entering a card for a design team.  The theme is birthday best.

I won a free download digi stamp from Squiggles and Giggles a couple of weeks back and I have been looking at their cute stamps!   Finally bought a few digis and have been coloring them with copic markers. 

This is the link to Squiggle and Giggles challenge : 

http://squigglestamps.blogspot.com/2010/06/design-team-call.html

Here is my easel card :-

Materials used :-

Daisy with gifts colored with copic markers

Pattern paper and card stock - KI Memories Party specialty cardstock paper pack with glitter

Martha Stewart punch

clear sentiment "lets celebrate" stamped with versacolor ultimate pigment ink, 303 cotton candy

Here's wishing Squiggles and Giggles a Happy Birthday :-) 

Just Magnolia week 61 - A sketch

,When making this card for the Just Magnolia week 61 challenge,  (http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/), I decided to play with the distress ink the glimmer mist.   I wet a piece of water color paper with a water mist bottle from hero art, with a wet paper towel dabbed on the distress ink pad and later apply onto the wet water color paper (dabbing it randomly over the wet surface), followed by spraying some key lime tattered angels glimmer mist, and finished it by using a heat gun to dry it.   This is how it looks like it dried :-

Finally this is the card I made :-

Material used :

Tilda with flowing hair colored with copics

spellbinders

Roses from wild orchid

We R memory keepers  pattern paper

Thanks for dropping by.

Friday Sketchers

I made this brightly colored card to cheer myself after a spate of depressing news.    The card is based on Friday Sketchers (http://fridaysketchersblog.blogspot.com/)

Here is my brightly colored card :-

Material used :

Sweet tilda colored with copic (I used the colored scheme my friend Flo used in her bookmark to me, thanks Flo)

Pattern paper - Cosmic cricket garden variety
Martha Stewart punch
Paper roses - Wild orchid
The orange and yellow flowers cut out with paper foam with sizzix dies

Thanks for dropping by :-)

Rest in peace Aunty

I made this sympathy card with a heavy heart and great sadness.   One of my closest friend SH's mother passed away after going through 4 major operations.   And this is two days after my cousin Yan passed away at 54.     It was depressing going from one funeral wake to another.

I wanted to make a very simple card and so I stamped the word flourishes (love) clear acrylic stamps from autumn leaves with memento bamboo leaves ink, all around the cardstock, the in sympathy sentiment stamp is from my sentiments exactly, also inked with memento bamboo leaves ink.  The deep cream color paper roses are from Wild orchids.

Rest in peace Aunty.

Just Magnolia week 60 - in the garden

In the midst of making cupcakes, tuna bread, chilli crabs and curry chicken for father's day's dinner tonight, I made another card for the just magnolia week 60 challenge - in the garden as I have a ready colored Tilda.  I still love my magnolia.

Here is the card :-

Material used :

Tilda with 3 flowers and colored with copic markers

Pattern paper - DCWV The blossoms & butterflies stack

Martha Stewart corner and edge punches

buttons with flowers and butterfly

Penny black sentiment stamp 

card stock from local stationery 

Thanks for dropping by.

Whiff of Joy challenge no. 81

I have my very first whiff of joy stamped images, thanks for Laura and I fell in love promptly, they are so beautiful oohlala!!   I am looking at buying a few more :-)

And since this is my first whiff of joy card, I have to participate in a whiff of joy challenge!!  Here is the link to the whiff of joy : http://wojmondaychallenge.blogspot.com/ and this week's challenge #81 is a photo challenge.

Here is my card :-

Materials used :

Pattern papers : K&Company, DCWV Nana 

Whiff of Joy : Melinda helping Angel colored with Caran D'ache color pencil and blended with sansodor (I used a small brush to blend as I find the paper stump too clumsy to use, I am more comfortable with using a brush) 

spellbinder pendant

fiskars extra large flower punch, EK Success swiss dots punch

flowers cut with sizzix flower # 1 die

Prima pearls

I really enjoyed coloring the whiff of joy image and I hope to get my hands on more whiff of joy stamps!

Thanks for dropping by :-)

Lori's birthday candy

It was Lori's 31st birthday on June 12 and she has some goodies for her birthday blog candy, she has lots of goodies and will ship worldwide, here is the details of the blog candy, go check it out :

http://lolo612.blogspot.com/

Closing date is Wed June 30, 2010 at 10pm eastern, Toronto time.


Good luck everyone :-)

Whiff of Joy stamps and Caran D'ache color pencils

I have not been making cards for the last couple of days!   I received some WOJ stamped image and I have been trying out different coloring medium and finally bought the 120 pieces caran d'ache color pencils.  I have their crayons which I bought in UK last year, but it is a 40 piece set, and I find the range of colors rather limiting, I do love to play with a full range of colors.  So for now, my copic will take a back seat while I play with the color pencils.   I find the WOJ images too delicate for copic and the color pencils work like a dream.   I have a 80 piece set of derwent, but I find them too hard, I prefer the leads softer it is easier to control and blend the colors.

I hope to create a few WOJ cards soon!

Bella Studio first Challenge and cupcake craft challenge no. 94

I came across Bella Studio blog : http://bellastudiodigichallenge.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-very-first-bella-design.html - and download the so very cute wish pickle digi stamp for their very first challenge.

I was pondering what to do with the wish pickle, when Jer (my 18 year old daughter who dabbles with jewelry making) asked me to think out of the box.   She mentioned Tinkle Bell when I asked me what came to her mind when she saw the image.   So, with Tinkle Bell in mind (I colored her green) and so when "thinking out of the box", instead of making the pixie stand, I decided to tilt her and make her appear to be sprinkling wishing dust.

I am also submitting this card for the Cupcake craft challenge no. 94 (http://www.cupcakecraftchallenges.blogspot.com/) whose theme is : "dazzle us",  as I do have lots of crystals stems and bling bling embellishments, it fits the theme.

Here is my card :

Material used :

Digi stamp downloaded from : Bella Studio and colored with copic markers.   I applied fun flocks over the flowers to make it look furry, there is a tutorial at the Bella Studio's blog.  http://bellastudiodigichallenge.blogspot.com/2010/06/welcome-to-very-first-bella-design.html

Pattern paper from BoBunny, flowers from Prima, fancy tags from spellbinders, doilies from Napperons (Ying taught me how to use doilies in my cards).

May all your wishes come true :-)

Peachy Keen Challenge 30 - shadow box

I started on the 12 x 12 layout for the Peachy Keen challenge 30 after I came back from my calligraphy class today.    Vincent brought home some Liz's baby photos from his office a couple of weeks ago and I decided to work on those.   As I looked at the photos, I wonder why have the years gone to?    I chose a photo of Liz when she was one year old and she is now 21 years old  (to be exact, 21 half)!

I decided to work around "many different faces of Liz" theme.   I have lots of fun stamping the different expressions and they were so cute and I burst into laughter time and again.

Unfortunately I do not have the shadow box and I only have a create and not the expression so I cannot cut a frame to resemble the shadow box, but fortunately we only have to create either a 12 x 12 or 8 x 8 layout and the shadowbox part is optional.   I still wish I have the expression to cut the frame though, and I must remember to put a cricut expression in my wish-list, which hopefully can be fulfilled when I get my craft room.

Peachy Keen challenge 30 - shadow box : http://www.peachykeenstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Here is my card :

Materials used :-

Pattern paper : DCWV Nana's nursery baby girl stack

Peachy keen stamps used :
- PK 34 - Oh baby - colored with copic markers
- various faces from PK 505 - too much fun faces
- various faces from PK 490 everyday character face assortment
- various faces from PK 159 simple simons

I cut 13 faces with cricut everyday paper dolls cart,  I also stamped different faces on the booties, the baby rattles and the milk bottle.   I apply Pebbles pearlescent chalks on the cheeks for the rosy pinkish look.

When Liz (who is back for summer holidays) asked why my display photos of her gets younger when she grows older?

Ying and Yenni

I enjoyed my evening with Ying and subsequent dinner with Ying and Yenni tremendously.   Like what Ying said, time passed really fast when you were having fun!   We talked and laughed throughout dinner, even though yesterday was the first time I met Ying!   She shared generously all her ideas and tips on card making, plus her beautiful gifts.  

Ying, Yenni and I spent the entire dinner talking about magnolia, what mediums to use and they both taught me another medium - color pencils ( prisma,  caran d'ache) with paper stump and sansodor oil  to distress inks, pro-markers and of course we discussed at length my favorite - copic markers!  We also talked at length about the different types of papers used.   It is really great meeting like-minded crafters who shared enthusiastically about everything and anything about crafting.

Thanks Ying and Yenni for a most pleasant time!  We have to meet more often :-)

Penny Black Saturday Challenge, A Spoon Full of Sugar Challenge 107, Alphabet Challenge

I am going to meet Ying, my magnolia loving friend from Malaysia after posting this.   Thereafter it is packing up time after my night duties (getting all the girls home), as Vincent is returning home tomorrow morning.

I was inspired by Yenni's win last saturday and since I have lots of Penny Black stamps (plus this new reaching for the star) I will make one for this saturday's challenge.

This card is for the following challenges :-

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -  http://pennybfriendssaturdaychallenge.blogspot.com/ - Swirls plus at least one penny black stamp

A spoon full of sugar  - http://aspoonfullofsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - flowers

Alphabet challenge - http://alphabetchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2010/06/f-is-for-flowers.html - f is for flowers

Here is my card :

Materials used

Penny black wooden stamp - reaching for the stars - colored with copic markers

Stars with swirls and sentiment clears stamps from Elisabeth Bell 

Pattern paper - basic grey

Swirls cut-outs - cricut potourri basket cart with gemstones cardstock

Ek success daisy chain punch and spellbinders fancy tag 

Flower eyelets from Eyelets Outlet and flowers from prima

Star shaped buttons made from seashells bought from HK

Thanks for dropping by :-)

Just Magnolia special monthly challenge - lace borders and Papertake Weekly challenge, sketch #42

So, I am on a roll, I made another card today, and my entire table is like a warzone.   Luckily for me, hubby is away in Shanghai/Hangzhou for business trip and not around to see the mess.   I have one more day tomorrow before I have to start packing up and smile sweetly at him when he comes back to a neat and tidy house!   I do want a scrap-room!

Here is my card for the following challenges :-

Just Magnolia (http://justmagnolia.blogspot.com/) asking for lace border
Papertake Weekly challenge sketch #42 (http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/) - they have a twist, which is not compulsory, and the twist is to have a lilac and lemon colour theme.

Materials used :

Summer Tilda with bow colored with copic markers
Pattern paper - berry sweet designer paper from K&Company (one of the very first stack of pattern paper I bought.  The sentiment stamp is from Kaiser.  The flowers are from prima

Thanks for dropping by :-)

Pixie Dust Studio Challenge #25 & Card Patterns sketch 67

I recently bought some Martha Stewart punches and it is high time I use them.    I made this card for Pixie Dust Studio Challenge #25 (http://pixieduststudiopixiechallenge.blogspot.com/) and Card Patterns sketch 67.

Here is my card :

Materials used :

Hero art stamp inked with versafine imperial purple and embossed with sparkling embossing powder
Martha Stewart butterflies border, edge and monarch butterfly punches
Pattern paper are odds and ends from my stash and I love how the color matched with the buttons!
Card stock is a glossy paper I bought from local stationery shop and I applied versa color no. 36 heliotrope over it with a babywipe.

I just realised before linking it to the Pixi Dust Studio that I missed the dateline, so this card will only be for the CardPatterns sketch no. 67.

Superhero Sam

This is the 2nd card I made for Superhero Sam ( http://pixieduststudio.blogspot.com/2010/05/send-them-to-sam.html), who is only 5 and battling cancer.

Here is my card :-

Materials used :-

Edwin with bike, colored with copic

Magnolia floral background, colored with acrylic paints

Skyblue cardstock from local stationery shop

I wrote the word "kang" (which means health)  in chinese calligraphy, cursive style and the Supersam log is from Studio Pixie blog.  

I stamped the floral background image with archival ink which is waterproof on Galeria acrylic pad.  I have been dabbling with acrylic painting for a while and absolutely love this medium, as it can really be very versatile, it can be diluted and paint to have a water color effects, or use it thick and in layers like oil painting without the smell and the hassle of washing up.   I like to use my old calligraphy brushes to paint when they are too worn out for writing and the I do love the soft effects the calligraphy brushes give.

Here are the links to some of my calligraphy works and acrylic paintings that I have done 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52853&id=555034599&l=c8092669c9

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=66356&id=555034599&l=4e6284040c

Get well soon Sam :-)   I know one day you will be out there in the fields enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.

Colour Create Challenge and Magnolia Down Under Challenge

Both my eldest daughter Liz and second daughter Cassie are having their summer breaks now and are home.   It is good to have the entire family around and it is time for motherly duties!

Well, I have not forgotten to play and I was making this card for  the Colour Create Challenge and Magnolia Down Under Challenge when Jer (my youngest) wrote on her fb wall, quote :"don't sit around in hope for your fairy tale to happen.. go out there and create your own"  unquote, so this card is for her and it is very apt because this mid summer Tilda is from the fairytale collection.


The Colour Create Challenge  (http://colourcreatechallenge.blogspot.com/) is looking for "baby pink and pastel blue.


Magnolia down under (http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/) wants "polka dots".


Here is my card :

Now for the materials used :-


1.  Midsummer Tilda colored with copic
2.  Morning Glory dots patterned paper from Lasting Impressions
3.  Princess Words (Disney Princess)  pattern paper from EK Success
4.  I made the pleated ribbon learned from Stampin Mindy's tutorial (http://stampinmindy.blogspot.com/)

Just Magnolia Special Monthly Challenge - Frame it

This Tilda in spring rain image is one of my very first magnolia stamp and I really love Tildas and her sweet image.

I made this easel card for the Just Magnolia Special Monthly challenge - Frame it, which asked for a creation with a magnolia stamp and pleated lace.

I colored the tilda with copic markers,  used glossy accents on the boots to get that patented look.   I used pattern paper from Bobunny, martha stewart pastel pad cardstock.  I created the rainbow by dabbling the frost dazzle versamark stamp pad over white cardstock, and apply pebbles pearlescent chalks shimmers.  I love the way it turns out.     Finally the lilac lace ribbon was bought my daughter Cassie (she bought pink, cream and blue too), when I first started with scrap-booking and I have never used it before, not knowing what to do with it.   When I saw Stampin Mindy's tutorial, I realized I could make use of them to make a card for this challenge.  Thanks Mindy for the tutorial and the inspiration.

Peachy Keen Challenge 29

I received my peachy keen stamps in the mail yesterday and the prize for the random peachy keen challenge 28 in the mail today, and the first thing Vincent said when he passed me the envelope is : "you are buying stamps every day!"   Well I am  happy that the peachy keen stamps arrived because I want to make a recipe card for the peachy keen challenge 29, which asked for a summer recipe for picnic or bbq.    Here is my recipe card for grated carrot topping, super easy to prepare and very yummy when topped with rice or noodles for both picnic outing or bbq with family and friends :-

I used PK 271 (the carrot), colored with copic and use cricut "from my kitchen" to cut the recipe frame, pattern paper is from doodlebug design (I do love the bright vibrant colors).

Sweet Stamping Challenge and Just Magnolia Challenge

I am glad I am starting to really make use of all the papers I bought!   I love beautiful papers and kept buying them but never really use them very much.   I just went through my stash and realized I do have quite a fair bit, so I am going to use them to make pretty cards and scrap pages.

I made this easel for the Sweet Stamping Challenge and Just Magnolia Challenge.

I used Magnolia Tilda with sunflowers stamp, Peachy Keen you are my sunshine clear stamp, both colored with copics, pattern paper from DCWV glitter, stock card from DCWV metallic stack.   I used the EK success swiss dot punch and stuck bling embellishments on the punched out dots.   I used marble thread  no 29 to tie to the fancy tag.

The Sweet Stamping Challenge asked to "pimp your card" with lots of blings embellishments
The Just Magnolia Challenge's theme is "hot and spicy"