CardPatterns Sketch 153

I know you're seeing alot less of me nowadays... I'm putting in almost 12 hours of work a day! It's been crazy but lots of fun nonetheless. Fortunately, between laundry and whatnot, I managed to squeeze in some time tonight to upload a card I made over the weekend based on a sketch by CardPatterns *yay* So here's a really quickie post :)

CardPatterns 153

Awesome unusual sketch! I just couldn't resist! Hope you like it :) I'm off to sleep now, gonna be another busy busy week and lotsa work traveling next month. Thanks for dropping by and have a lovely crafty day *hugs*

The Love Mini Album

This post was meant for Valentine's Day last week but unfortunately work kept away from my PC so this is slightly delayed. I hope some of you are still in the mood for romance! Anyhow, hubby and I had a late V Day dinner after a long day at work, it was nice getting to be with each other regardless the hour :)

I originally made this album for a Scrap N Crop class based on the kit that Val gave me. The class was last Sunday and it was actually pretty good, we had 8 registrations but only 5 came, which was great nevertheless, we had lotsa space and lotsa fun too. And to those who came, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for taking time off to come all the way to Kajang :)

Here are some of the images of the FRONT and OUTSIDE of the mini album:

 

 

Here are the inside pages:

 

 

 

 

Here are close-ups of my favorite bits:

 

 

 

This was part of the class synopsis which was on Scrap N Crop's CROP.munity's blogpost:

The Love Album is a shabby chic mini album  measuring 8” x 6”, made entirely from scratch using chipboard covers and cardstock pages. This projects features the latest Valentine's collection from Making Memories and other delicious designer pattern papers and pretty embellishment. This makes a uniquely perfect Valentine gift to your dearest beau as you document your precious journey together. 

Thanks for dropping by and have a great week ahead! Stay crafty! *XOXO*

Cards for Guys

Hi again! My first week of work went by pretty well, it's hectic yet exciting, I'm quite exhilarated to be back in action I'm a total hopping bunny buzzing with enthusiasm! Let's hope and pray it stays that way a looooong way to go heheh!

I had an awesome class at Scrap N Crop's CropArty yesterday, we had five wonderful 'students' who did so great despite the quick pace, it was just chatting, laughing, cutting, pasting and more chatting :) And then there was lotsa shopping of course! Big thanks to Val of Scrap N Crop for the opportunity to be a guest teacher at her Scrap Abode and also for having me as the featured artists for Feb/March 2012!!! *yay* I'm just so honored and thrilled!

Well, today I'd like to share some 'masculine' cards made for guys, these cards were actually commissioned jobs from my friends cum valued customers *you girls are awesome* << hugs >>

I always find it quite challenging to make cards for guys as I have to go easy on the flowers and butterflies which I LOVE! I'll still sneak in a couple of them sparingly while making sure the overall design and color tone is not overly 'girly'. These cards were made using mainly MME's Lost & Found 2 6x6 pad (Breeze) as well as some of the 12 x 12 from the same collection, among other matching papers and whatnots from my stash.

Here's a rustic themed card using browns, green and pale yellow:

Minimal use of blooms & butterflies but I can't stay away completely!

Inside the card.

This is a blue & green theme card:

Velvet & grossgrain ribbon in the centre.

Inside the card.

The last guy card on my list is extra special as my friend requested it for her hubby and she wanted their photo inside the card plus personalized printed message.

Personalized 5.5" x 8" large card

Handmade satin bloom topped with a Prima rose.

Just love this loving pic of the couple!

That's all for now! Thanks for dropping by :) I have a huge Valentine project to share which will be posted in conjunction with Valentine's Day, hehehe so do stay tuned! Meantime, happy scrapping folks!

With Love for Cardabilities

It's the eve of the Chinese New Year! Looking forward to a yummy reunion dinner tonight with my in laws. My son will enjoy all the attention from the grandparents, and this year is extra special as we now a new addition; my little niece who is 3 months old and joining the reunion dinner for the first time! :D Well, even though the reunion dinner is a big and happy event, there's always a poignant nostalgic feeling in me when this day comes. Why? Well, in our Chinese custom, once a daughter is "married out", she will no longer join her own family for the annual feast, like for forever. I'll always remember those rowdy crazy and fun dinners at my mum's place with her maternal family, all the uncles and aunts and cousins will come together and turn the house upside down! I enjoy reminiscing those busy afternoons spent with my dear mum preparing food, cooking and decorating the house. At times we even experimented new dishes to show off to the folks hehehe :D My in-laws on the other hand, don't cook at home so we eat at a restaurant, the food is wonderful no doubt but it lacks that raucous merriment and uninhibited chaos of a home setting. Sigh. Anyway, as long as the old folks are happy I guess. Here's where I envy my Chinese girlfriends who are not married to Chinese husbands, they still get to spend the reunion feast with their own families.

Anyway, enough ramblings for the day... here's a little something for the upcoming V Day; using Sketch #47 from Cardabilities. I made this simple 6' x 6' card with some old American Crafts Romance papers bought at a clearance bargain from a LSS *heehee* There are basically lots of fussy cutting here with some liquid pearls and gem accents.

Thanks for looking! If you're Chinese, part-Chinese or part of a Chinese family somehow, have an awesome reunion dinner tonight! See you again after the Lunar New Year celebrations! XOXO

Always Remember

In my last post, I alluded to some major changes to my current circumstances, so here's my reveal; I'll be going back to full time work! Yes, after over a year of being a stay-home-mum I'm returning to the corporate world. Right after CNY (Chinese New Year), I will be joining a multinational beauty company in the marketing capacity. This means I will see much less of my dear Lucas and also alot less scrapping time. However, I'm looking forward to my new role and the excitement and challenges that comes with building a career. While I do enjoy my precious moments with Lucas all this time, there's always a part of me that miss the adrenaline rush and drive of being in the game, all the challenges and accomplishments of my past ten years of work are what made me who I am today and I look forward to picking up where I left off.

So without much ado, let's get into today's post. These 2 weeks are especially poignant for me as I mentally and emotionally prepare my heart to be strong when I'm away from my son, I came up with this layout to remind myself and him, that no matter what, he'll always be my reason why. Why I chose to work and be away from him is ultimately good for us both. And when I go through rough patches, I'm motivated and comforted knowing that I do all this so that we can both have a better life in the future. I sometimes worry if I can cope with the challenges of being a working mum, I look around me and see alot of successful women who maintains a balanced family and work life, I'm encouraged. Also, I hang on to the promise of this verse; "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" [Philipians 4:13 NKJV] And to top it all off, I'm thankful to have a supportive husband and a super helpful and supportive mum who will be vital in caring for Lucas in my absence.

My sweetest darling boy.

I'm playing along with Bird is the Word with the challenge word Remember. My layout is created mainly using Kaisercraft's Sweet Nothings with lotsa Prima flowers and leaves. I just love this Kaisercraft collection with their delicately whimsical and ethereal feel, very midsummer's night dream :)

Thanks so much for dropping by and reading my ramblings :) Have a glorious weekend ahead, and to my Chinese readers, may you have a happy and blessed new year filled with joy and abundance. And remember, say NO to sharksfin and go easy on the cookies hehehe :D

Gong Xi Fa Cai! 
Xin Nian Qwai Ler!

Happy 2012!!!

Hello scrappers!!! I know I've been so quiet since Christmas, and I didn't even manage to post a proper New Year greeting but hey better late than never; so here I am! Hope everyone had a memorable and wonderful New Year celebration. As for us; we stayed home with lil Lucas and watch the amazing fireworks display at The Curve (neighborhood mall). Yup, we're blessed with the most awesome front-seat view minus the crowd, traffic and parking madness on the eve of New Year.

Anyway, I haven't had time to scrap at all, been busy with some commissioned jobs and cards for the upcoming Chinese New Year (CNY). Also, some major changes are coming up to my current circiumstances, 2012 will indeed be a great year of change and fresh new beginnings for me so I've been really occupied with alot of preparations etc... I will announce this major change soon heehee. Stay tune then :P

On top of that, I've been busy working on a Valentine's Day project which will be a class somewhere in February, here's a sneak preview, details will be announced soon :)

Sneak peek of upcoming 'V' Day Class project!

As not to keep this crafty loft of mine empty too long, I'd like to share some of the CNY cards I've been busy with here.

That's all for now. Thanks for dropping by! Have a great week ahead!

'Tis the Season to be Thankful

Another year is almost over and a new one is just around the corner. Christmas is so wonderfully placed at the end so we can all close the year well with gift-giving and spending time with our loved ones. I guess most of you are still busy with your year-end holiday crafting of cards and gifts...and I hope all your shopping, baking, wrapping and party planning are going well according to plan :)

For me personally, Christmas is much more of a time to reflect on the real Reason for the Season, where a Savior was born in a manger 2000 years ago so He could be Lord of our lives evermore. I take the opportunity of this blessed season to be thankful for that and for all the wonderful blessings through the year.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  

Luke 2:11

So in  the spirit of the season, I hope you will indulge me and allow me to share some festive pics...

This Santa wannabe here is Mr Wooloomooloo, my bedtime buddy, I can't sleep without him hehe. This photo was actually taken 2 years back. I was alot more industrious with Christmas decor etc before the baby came along hehe.

I always try baking something special over the past few Christmases (again, before baby came along!) These were some jam cupcakes I made for one of my elaborate Christmas eve dinners. This year, everything is store bought and we're eating OUT! LOL!

Well, alas, I'm sad to say we're not even putting up a tree this year cos Lucas is in his WALKING and PULLING DOWN EVERYTHING stage so a big tree full of shiny ornaments is a major baby hazard! Unlike previous years, I won't be whipping up a massive feast either LOL! I guess Lucas and my scrap work has taken way too much out of me. Perhaps next year... who knows... :)

Oh here's one more; it's a pic of my dad (in red) and hubby trying to carve a turkey LOL. I just love reminiscing past Christmas memories :)


Anyway, I have much to be thankful for this Christmas, the highlight of my year is definitely my new venture into the world of crafting and scrapbooking which started early this year. I never would have imagined a simple exercise to make a baby album would lead me this far and unearth this hidden 'ability' to put paper and glue together which I never knew I had. I praise the good Lord for that :) Also, this lil' hobby of mine has brought me many wonderful friends and fellow crafters. I've made really good friends who are supportive, encouraging, inspiring and simply just WONDERFUL! Thank you amazing and talented fellow crafters, artists, scrappers and cardmakers for generously sharing your works of art, your techniques, your tutorials, your sources and supplies, EVERYTHING! And a special shout out to my ATC swap buddies *kiss*kiss* I'm just so blessed and I hope and pray you will have a lovely holiday and a joyous bright New Year ahead! :)

Blessed Christmas and tidings of comfort and joy to all! 

And to all a happy new year!

GOD BLESS