Clean & Simple 113

I've been making birthday and new baby cards for my MOMS Club. The Clean & Simple Sketch 113 was ideal for this card...

Namaste!!

Just Add Blue

The Just Add Ink challenge #39 was pretty straightforward....just add blue. So I used the sketch from Card Positioning Systems 188 and did exactly that!!

Namaste!!

Hello everybody!!!

Now I know what it must feel like to get back into the dating scene after a long break. Well, in this case, it's the stamping scene!!! I can't remember when my last post was. I have to admit that I have been slacking a little but I hope to be frequent the blogging/stamping scene a little more from now on. Taking it nice and slow; one challenge at a time!!!

I liked the design challenge on the Card Positioning Systems blog site: #188. 

And this is what I created...

I've turned the original image on it's side since I preferred this look better. Didn't know how to created the oval, so used a Stampin' Up punch instead. The flowers stamp is SU as well, while the card stock is from The Mango Frost Matstack by DCWV. If you look closer at the flowers, I've heat embossed them using all SU products. I'm a little addicted to the whole heat embossing thingi these days!!! Love how the powder on the stamp changes to a glazed look with a little bit of heat. It's kind of like blow-drying my hair but getting way better results!!!

I'm going to attempt another challenge tonight and hopefully I will be able to accomplish something before my little one wakes up and starts calling for me. Good night to you all!!! Namaste!

10 pm = Blog Time!!!

So the kids are finally in bed and I get some time to myself. I decided to take on the OCC Sketch Challenge #18. I used the colours from the Color Q Challenge #36 and decided to use the "thanks a bunch" sentiment for the Creative Card Crew Challenge #52 (Thank you).

That's all for tonight...Namaste!

MISA - Missing in Stampin' Action!!!

I finally had the chance to make a card while everyone was out today!!! Feel like a beginner all over again:( But as a lot of other stampers have told me, some crafting is better than no crafting at all!!

I used the sketch from Mojo Monday Challenge #140 and the colours from Color Q #34.

Made this card in a hurry before the Color Q deadline...

And it's loaded with 10 minutes to spare!!! Off to enjoy some sunshine..Namaste!

Christmas in May

The moment I saw the OCC Sketch Challenge 15, I thought, "Christmas Tree!!".

I tried a new technique called 'heat embossing', which many of you are already experts at, but my first time attempting it. The card stock is from the Holiday Collection - The Christmas Cardstock Stack by DCWV; the ribbon is Joyful Runway made by KI Memories; the big snowflakes have been punched out with a HyGlo punch; the tree stamp is by Inkadinkado; the smaller snowflakes are a clear stamp by Technique Tuesday; and the white heat embossing powder and heat tool are SU products (my recent and most coveted purchase!!!). 

My father-in-law is visiting from India and I can't wait to show him around our beautiful city. He loves wine and cheese, having studies in France for a period of time and we have gorgeous local winery. So this weekend, we're headed there to listen to some live music and taste some delicious wine. Namaste!!

A leader in the making?

I was nominated for the post of President of my local MOMS Club. It's a wonderful group of women; dynamic, intelligent, creative, hard working, inspiring, supportive,....and not to mention, totally fun!! I was honoured, of course, but a little nervous. The truth of the matter is that I've never seen myself in the position of a leader. Don't get me wrong; I will definitely voice my opinions and ideas...but within a group setting more often. I think I've always been afraid of not meeting the mark. I'm 33 years old now. And I've been thinking, if I don't do it now, then when? And all these nights, after I was told about the possible nomination, I kept telling myself, like that little train going up the hill, "I think I can! I think I can!". 

Well, I'm President from July for the new year, and looking at my new team of wonderful mothers, I know I can!!! And everything may not be perfect. I may be forgetful and a little disorganised. I might make a fool of myself...or not. But the bottom line is that I can look in the mirror and say to myself, "I gave it my best shot!!". And this will be a great lesson for my children; that challenges are meant to be taken on, giving it all you've got, because that's how we grow. It's all about experiences, and I know that if nothing else, I will walk away from this experience a stronger person. 

On with the cards now!!! I used the second sketch from the Caardvarks May Challenge and combined it with  the Basic Grey Week 19 Photo Inspiration Challenge (I haven't used any Basic Grey items so cannot enter it for this particular challenge, but I wanted to show you my inspiration for the card!). 

The solid cardstock is called 'Spring Moss' from the Perfect Match Papertrey Collection. The DP is from a collection called Petite Papers by Webster's Pages. It has beautiful soft subtle colours and I finally had a chance to use them. The stamp is part of a free set I got with my order from Stampin' Up. The ribbon and button are from my stash, and I used regular markers and a white gel pen to colour in the cake details. I also used a SU border punch and a Martha Stewart circle punch.

Since I've used punches, this card would also qualify for the Delightful Sketches Challenge - Pull out your punches!!

My son's preschool is almost over and we're getting ready to enjoy a great summer ahead of us. We have zoo camp coming up and then a camp at the local conservatory. Plus, I look forward to discovering all the farmer's markets that hold an abundance of fresh and local produce. I'm trying to focus on healthier eating habits, and I hope I've made some positive changes by the end of summer. Namaste!

An evening to myself!!

I think I received my Mother's Day gift the night before. My husband took our older son for his friend's birthday party in the evening while I decided to stay at home while our baby was recovering from a cold. It was the best evening in a long time. Not that I don't love my family and being with them. It's just that after the baby was in bed, and I made myself myself some fragrant jasmine tea, it was so peaceful and calming sitting at my craft table with no distractions at all. Yup, I'm letting my husband off the hook if he doesn't have a card or gift for me today, because last evening was really what I needed!!! Thank you, my love!!!

I made this card for my friend's birthday, which incidentally happens to be today!!! The sketch is based on the Caardvarks May Challenge. There were 2 sketches to choose from, and somehow I seemed to gravitate toward this one. I also decided to play along with Stampin' Celebration's very first challenge. Their colours were bright and cheerful and I wanted some of that reflected in my card. 

I also decided to combine another challenge: Color Dare #65, which required these colours...which I thought was similar to the other colour challenge. 

In addition, I found that the card would fit the Pals Paper Arts Challenge #41, which was an inspiration challenge. 

I hope all DTs from the challenges will forgive me for combining all of them. The challenges by themselves are fantastic individually, but somehow I felt that my card fit them all.

The DP is from Basic Grey Collection - Origins. The cardstock, buttons, ribbon and flower are from my stash. The sentiment stamp is something I bought from friend recently, whose mother was cleaning out her garage.

Well, I'm off to get some hugs from my family on my special day!! Namaste!

Laura's Sketch #51

My son and I made this card together for his friend's birthday this evening, based on Laura's Sketch #51 from the 2S4Y blog. It took us less than 15 minutes (I have to admit that I did most of the work, but he did help.....a bit!!!).

We flipped the sketch clockwise for a different look.

The pink card stock is from my stash, as well are all the buttons and ribbon. The DP is from My Little Shoebox (All a flutter - wings n' things). Namaste!

C4C35

Made this card for the Crazy for Challenges #35. Again, used the colours from Color Throwdown Challenge #91.

Namaste!!

Just missed the deadline for JUGS 31...arrrrgh!!

Made this card for the Just Us Girls Challenge #31. For some reason, I decided to use the colours from the Color Throwdown Challenge #91 again. 

This card also qualifies for:

1. Creative Belli Blog Challenge #90: Birthday;

2. C.R.A.F.T Challenge #49: Wedding or Birthday.

Namaste!!

TESC #111 & more

Both my boys have been sick all day:( I'm so not used them being so quiet and lethargic, just lying there on the couch. They were both content with watching a little TV and dozing off from time to time. I really hope they feel better tomorrow.....I miss them bugging me every five minutes!!!!

I took on the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #111. The colours have been inspired by the Color Throwdown Challenge #91 - Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise and Kiwi Kiss.

Decided to make a birthday card for my son's friend, who will be celebrating hers on Saturday. 

I apologise for the poor quality of the photo. The little drip on the front of the cupcake is from the glitter gel I used on the cake part. I guess I didn't wait long enough for it to dry before I propped it up!! 

This card also qualifies for:

1. Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge #9: Birthday with a sweet treat;

2. Creative Belli Blog Challenge #90: Birthday card;

3. C.R.A.F.T Challenge #49: Cake - Wedding or Birthday.

Namaste!!

It feels good to be a mom!!

Today was the Mother's Day tea party at my older son's preschool. I have only one word to describe it..."perfect"!! I was presented with a flower upon arrival, served punch and cake, handed a gift bag with some beautiful handmade keepsakes, and finally sung to......I couldn't have asked for anything more. 

I had some time in the afternoon to make this card for the Just Add Ink Challenge #15. (Unfortunately, Mr. Linky expired before I could upload my card:( )

I flipped the sketch anti-clockwise just for fun.

I used the SU scalloped circle punch for the flower and you can view the technique on the Raspberry Suite website. I wasn't sure where to fit the sentiment, so didn't add one. The buttons were a last minute add-on, and I think they tie in well with the flower. Need to order some card stock from Papertrey; the paper has a really cool rustic look about it. Here comes my next purchase!!! Namaste!!

Summer's round the corner!!

Today's outing to the zoo with my two boys was such a success. We rode the bus with a bunch of other noisy preschoolers and their parents. The weather was perfect. I didn't lose any kids. They actually ate some lunch without dropping most of it on the ground. And we didn't have any major accidents (including leaky poopy diapers!!). All in all, it was a great day and we were all happily exhausted when we got back home.

I decided to make my own paper for Crafty Creations Challenge #65. I liked what I'd created and didn't feel like adding another layer of card stock, since it would have covered up most of the pattern.

I used a technique called "Crayon Resist"; something I learned from the Stamp TV website. The crayon was a little too thick, which is why you can't see to much of the effect on the wings of the dragonflies. I decided to add the sentiments and went a little crazy with it:) Anyway, not bad for a 30 minute card!!

Here are the other challenges I'm entering the card for:

1. Pile It On Challenge #17: Boyish Colours

2. ABC Challenge: T is for "Thank you!"

3. Lili of the Valley Challenge #52: Here comes summer

Tomorrow's the Mother's Day tea party at my son's preschool. The kids have been practicing their songs for weeks and I'm sure it's going to get me all teary-eyed. Better get my camera ready to capture some precious moments!! Namaste!

"I got the blues......."

Well, not really, but that was the only title that came to mind while making a card for the Pals Paper Arts - Monochromatic Challenge, which required me to use different shades of blue. I really wish I could have been a little more creative but it's been a while since I've sat at my craft table, and I didn't want to make anything too complicated.

Here are the other challenges this card qualifies for:

1. Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #77- America's Sweethearts: Create a love card;

2. By the Cute & Girly: May - Celebrations (celebrating love!!);

3. Charisma Cardz Challenge #17: Girly card with flowers;

4. Cute Card Thursday Challenge 110: Make your own;

5. Papertake Weekly Challenge: Do something different (does using no stamps count?!!!);

6. Creative Card Crew #49: April showers bring May flowers;

7. Stampin' for the Weekend: Getting to know you through your favourite book (Message in a bottle by Nicholas Sparks). 

We're off to the zoo tomorrow with my son's preschool class. He loves riding the school bus, so I'm braving the journey along with my almost 2 year old, who at the moment has the attention span of a bee on a caffeine high!!! Wish me luck!! G'night and Namaste!

Certainly very old summer!!!

Ok, ok, so I played around with the Color Dare Challenge #64 title!! Honestly, summers can never get too old; especially in this part of the country, where it's growing icicles for almost 6 months of the year!!! I do love the colours of the challenge, especially the little burst of yellow among the mellow greens and sober vanilla. I used the sketch from the Papertake Weekly Challenge #39.

Here are the other challenges I'm entering this card in:

1. The Caardvarks Challenge which requires a monochromatic card.
2. Penny's paper-Crafty Challenge Blog - Anything goes.
3. Raise The Bar Challenge #15 - Color Me Happy (favourite colour green in different hues + yellow).
4. Hand Full of Stamps Challenge #25- use more than 2 patterned papers.

I'm off to bed, to a night of uninterrupted sleep (hopefully!!). Namaste!!

Losing track of time.....

Wow!! I seem to be away from my blog longer and longer these days.....not sure how I feel about it. Hurrah for me!! My card was chosen (randomly, but nonetheless chosen!!!) as the Featured Stamper for the Color Throwdown Challenge #88. Well, this is the third feather in my hat/cap/hair band!!!

I've been enjoying the sunshine with my kids and I've been busy all week making cards at the request of my friends. Some have wanted mother's day ones, while others asked for birthday cards. I have to admit that I'm not much of a multi-tasker (if there is such a word!!!), so between taking care of the kids, the house, the husband (!), and making these cards, I haven't really made the time to take on any of the wonderful challenges out there. 

Well, hopefully this week will allow me to try some new challenges. I'm off to bed....Namaste!!!

Recycling...

I probably have a roomful of scraps, which I find hard to part with. You never know when you might just need a tiny piece of DP and not the whole sheet. Last night I decided to attack my bag of scraps and recycle a bit. I followed the Pals Paper Arts Sketch 38.

The DP is from a collection called La Creme Stack by DCWV; the stamps are from the Delightful Dahlia collection by the Raspberry Suite; the plain card stock and ribbon are from my stash and I used the Whisper White Craft Ink by SU for the stamps. I was thinking of adding a sentiment on the outside somewhere but I didn't want it to look too busy. 

A group of us moms are getting together for a Ladies' Brunch...without the kiddos. As much as I love my little monsters, I'm looking forward to a couple of hours of just hanging out with the gals!! Mamas, here I come...Namaste! 

Allergic to spring....sniff!!

I've lived in this country for 10 years and always enjoyed the beginnings of spring and its beautiful flowers. Not this year!! I mean, I still love the season and the colours, but my sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes are driving me nuts!!!!! I can barely breathe, I sound like the queen of nasal tones and I'm carrying a box of tissues with me all around the house. Not to mention, I keep startling my kids every time I blow my nose. My older one commented, after an especially noisy blow, "Wow!! Amma, that's like an elephant!!". Well, right now, I feel like there's one sitting on me! Still, I wouldn't give up this weather for anything:)

I took on the sketch from Clean & Simple FTL 86. I love their sketches because your card doesn't end up having that cluttered look with so many layers and embellishments.

Really enjoyed using some new DP by My Little Shoebox (they have the cutest papers!), and the sentiment is a Stampendous stamp. I used three different punches for the circles; the 1 & 3/4" from SU, the medium sized Martha Steward Punch and the smallest is from the JoAnn store. I really liked how the sentiment covered most of the yellow and balances the brightness. I also like how this card could be given for any occasion really. It's a simple and heartfelt sentiment and speaks volumes. 

My older son starts soccer practice today!!! I'm so excited for him. This is where I'm really transforming into the all-American mom!!! Planning on having a little picnic after soccer with sandwiches and fruit and then some yummy ice cream!!! It's a beautiful day....aachhhoooo!! Namaste!

Mother's Day.......

I've recently been making several Mother's Day themed cards. I've found some beautiful quotes online, but the one I've used for this card was simple and straight from the heart. The sketch is based on Kazan's from 2S4Y (#50) and the colours are from the Color Throwdown Challenge #88 - Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray and So Saffron/White. 

The DP is called Woodland Whimsy from the Sassafras website. I used both sides, since I really liked the fabric-like effect of the paper. The vertical strip was cut with a Martha Stewart punch, the tag has been cut using a Big Shot Die-cut machine and Lots of Tags Sizzlits dies (which I just ordered, and absolutely LOVE!!!) from SU . The sentiment is from the Delightful Dahlia set by Raspberry Suite. The tangerine card stock is from my stash.

Hurrah, it's finally Friday and we're heading out to dinner with the boys. We haven't been out to a restaurant in a while as a family, so it should be an interesting experience!! Will probably need to actually do some exercise this weekend to burn off the extra calories. Food, here I come.....Namaste!!

Pretty in Pink

I really like the Card Positioning Systems Sketch #162.

I initially thought of adding buttons but I had these great digi freebies from My Graphico, so when ahead and used those.

The colours are a little  more vivid because of the lighting. I really liked how it turned out!!

I'm also entering this card for the Caardvarks challenge which asks us to make a new baby card. I can't wait to send this card to someone who has a new baby girl!!!
This card also qualifies for the Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge (anything goes).
This also qualifies for the Our Creative Corner Challenge, which requires the use of bows. 

Well, I'm off to drop my older one to preschool. Namaste!!

OCC sketch Challenge #10 & more...

Another quick entry for the OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge #10.

I took the liberty of tweaking the sketch a little:) I'm also entering this card in the C.R.A.F.T Challenge 45 which requires the use of buttons. Namaste!!