A lazy Sunday afternoon...

The two things I love the most (after my husband and children, of course!!), are food and sleep. I love to stretch out on the couch on the weekends, covered in a warm blanket, and take a little snooze. My hubs swears that if he could gift me a week's worth of sleep, he would!! The only thing keeping me away from my favourite occupation (as my sister jokes) is updating my blog to show you my latest creations. 

This first one is for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #18. It's a 'Color Splash' Challenge....inspired by the photo below. As the DT of PDC have mentioned: "Color Splash is simply black & white with a 'bit' of color". The sketch is based on the Just Add Ink Challenge #6. I really love their sketches, and figured out a great way to combine these wonderful challenges.


 

The card stock I've used has more of a cream in it, but I absolutely love this DP. The rhinestones in the center of the flowers are actually the "splash of colour". Not sure if you can tell, but they's actually a beautiful teal blue. I painstakingly cut out the flowers and really couldn't think of any other way to display them on the card. I'm not sure why the base card stock looks more brown for some reason. I guess it's almost black but not quite!!

Card Ingredients:

Paper: La Creme Stack by DCWV

Accessories: Blue rhinestones from my stash

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This next one is for the Color Dare Challenge #57 (Bashful Ruby Kiwis).

I had such a hard time trying to match the right colours, and finally came up with this......I love how bright and cheerful it turned out. I did a little stitching again with my handy machine.

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Petals of flower- Blooms Die Cuts from SU; Flower stem and leaves - Free Stitch Flowers Clipart set from My Graphico: card stock from stash 

Stamps: Retired SU stampsets (dotted background and sentiment)

Ink: Ruby Red (SU)

Accessories: Butterfly pop-up punch, sewing machine

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The final card is for the Color Throwdown Challenge #81. 

I really really struggled with this one, but I'm sooooooo thrilled with the eventual product. Honestly, I think all those rhinestones are so inspiring!!!  I couldn't find the right sentiment or paper to put it on. I finally found the center piece among my scrap booking stuff. The pink just stood out against the brown card stock that I cut out and seemed to tie the whole thing together. This really is one of my favourites so far. And it's so different from all my other creations. 

Card Ingredients:

Paper: Olive green and brown card stock from Mat Stack Neutrals by DCWV; Flowers and Petals cut out from DP from stash (single sheet bought at JoAnn).

Stamps: Inkadinkado (Corner Flourish)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)

Accessories: Pink rhinestones from my stash

O.K, I have to go. My older son is threatening to turn off the computer if I don't get off it. He and I are going to snuggle up on the couch now, and watch cartoons for a while. Well, he's going to watch, and I'm going to "meditate" (my code word for napping!!!). Namaste!!!! 

Am I a scrapaholic???

And by that I mean, do I hoard my scraps, instead of just bidding them goodbye on trash day? You bet I do!!! The result being that I have two cloth bags full of them, sitting under my craft table. I keep meaning to go through them and organise them the best I can, but at the moment, the amount looks a little too intimidating!

I used my sewing machine again last night.......

I had a slight headache from squinting to make sure I was stitching in a straight line but was that worth it or what?!!!! I've been trying to combine challenges but I wanted to make things simpler for myself, and just worked with the great sketch from Crazy for Challenges - C4C25. O.K, so I just figured out how to include the image URL, etc, etc (Applause, please!!!!).

Now, if only I can stitch up some nice drapes for my family room, my home would look more complete!!! I'm attempting to make my blog look more professional. The main thing I keep forgetting to include is a list of supplies, etc that I've used. I realise how important and useful it is, when I view other blogs. The challenge for me though is that I use stuff from all over the place, and not just one company, resulting in an epic of a list. I think with the card above though, I should be able to stick to a decent sized one!! Sankari, I borrowed your format, if you don't mind:). Honestly, I would love to create cards like hers, but that's a whole different story. Check out her website when you can: Sankari's Sunshine Corner. Her creations really are one of a kind.

Paper: Cinnamon Stick by Cloud 9 Design (bought at JoAnn).
Accessories: Debbie Mumm Epoxy Alphabet-Baby Boy, corner punch, sewing machine, paper-hole punch,

Well, that wasn't too bad! Anyway, I really really enjoyed using my machine, and will definitely use it for more challenges. I wasn't too great at needle work in school, but hey, at least I can sew a card, huh?!!!! Namaste!

Another day's over...

This is the best time of the night, when both my kids are asleep, and I get to sit at the computer in peace. I went ahead and ordered some stuff from Stampin' Up and for some reason, that kind of inspired me to make some more cards today. 

This one is for the new Delightful Sketches Challenge.

This next one is for the Mojo Monday Challenge #127 (Sketch) and Kween Bee Kreations (monochromatic challenge).

This final one that came out better than expected is for Tuesday Morning Sketches #34 and 2S4Y: Laura's Sketch 46.

I had such a blast making all these cards since the challenges were all so different and interesting. Every time I feel I'm running out of creativity, I manage to pull something out of the hat. 

Can't wait for my new supplies to arrive...I am sooooo excited!!!! I can't wait to create more. As I mentioned in my earlier blogs, my son and I have been making cards for his friends' birthdays, and we've been receiving so many compliments on how unique our cards are. I am beyond thrilled, and I hope we continue our card making sessions for as long as possible. I so look forward to putting small cards with words of wisdom and love in my sons' lunch bags; sending them cards of appreciation and encouragement when they go to college, and just simply because I love them. There is nothing more gratifying than seeing your children smile and laugh. I think I might just sneak into their rooms to give them a hug and kiss again! Namaste!!!

Just 3 colours!

I really love the Play Date Cafe Challenge this week (PDCC17). The card required just 3 simple colours, red, brown and linen. I stuck with exactly that....plain, red, plain brown, and well, linen. 

I realised too late that I could have done some stitching but I'll have to save that for another card. I must apologise for the smudges on the vellum. I need to find a glue that doesn't show. The pic below is a little yellow because.....I made the same mistake of clicking at night:( 

O.K, one of my favourite shows is on tonight, and I'm all set to stretch my legs, sip on a cup of hot tea, and listen to some great singing. Namaste!

I hate missing deadlines:(

I thought I was ahead of schedule but I missed a deadline to one of the challenges and I 'm a little bummed out about that. Well, life goes on, huh? So let me stop moping about it and focus on the other challenges. I entered a card yesterday for the Card Positioning Systems Challenge 155 (Part 1) but I decided to make another one, using the colours from the JUGS Challenge #21 (Raspberry, Ivory, Chocolate & Coral). 

  

I've never really used any "bling" on my cards but was inspired by Sankari's creations (Sankari's Sunshine Corner). I love how she decorates with liquid pearls; really gives the card that extra "wow" factor. So, "bling" is certainly on my list of things to buy ( I love that word; bling, bling, bling.......Ha ha). I have all these cards that I make for different challenges just sitting around on different shelves. I thought it would be a great idea to send them back with my Dad so my parents and in-laws could use them in India. I'm sure they would love them. 

Tomorrow's another school day, and then the weekend will be approaching fast. Can't believe how time flies these days. Speaking of time....need to go finish dinner. (For those of you who don't know me yet, I love my food)!!!! Namaste!!

Colours and Patterns

I really have to stop taking pics of my cards at night. Firstly, the colours look all wrong, and secondly,...... the colours look all wrong!!! I end up finishing a card just minutes away from the deadline, which is invariably after sunset. And considering it's winter at the moment, there is no way I can get any kind of natural lighting after 5 pm. Oh well, like I keep mentioning in my blogs, I have a lot to learn. 

I created a card after dinner for the The Colour Throwdown #80 (light green, rust and burgundy), using the sketch from Card Positioning Systems #155 (Part 1). The ribbon used really is a burgundy colour, really, really, really!!! I know it looks more red and that's because of...refer to paragraph one, please! I didn't mess around too much with the sketch and interpreted it as I saw it. 

So, tomorrow we're expecting rain showers instead of the humongous amounts of snow we received last week. I'll take the rain any day over the frozen stuff. The weather was actually beautiful today, and we all ventured out in our snow gear to play with the neighbours in their backyard. Did a little snow tubing down their hill, threw snowballs at each other, and now I'm a certified Midwesterner!!! Hmm, might even try a little ice-skating before the season is over!! I'll let you know:) Namaste!

Last minute entry

I always seem to be rushing with my entries. Well, at least I have a clean kitchen:)...and dinner is ready!! Hurrah for me!! This card is for the Tuesday Morning Sketches Challenge #33. I would have loved to spend more time on it but this was the best I could do within a short period of time.

Arrgh!!

I have been experiencing serious "stamper's block" all day. I'm not even sure if that sentence is grammatically correct, but you get what I mean, right? I tried combining challenges, doing them individually....nothing seemed to be working. I keep using the excuse that I don't have all the right tools, but seriously, technology (or lack of) shouldn't get in the way of creativity. I'm still trying to find my style, and I know what I'm trying to develop. I'm just not sure how to get there. 

I've been stamping since October 2009, and the problem is that I'm in a rush to reach a level that a lot of stampers have got to after several years of being in the field. Of course, there are those whose cards are just amazing right from the get go. And then there's me, who's kind of floating around. Oh my gosh, I sound depressed!!! But I'm really not:) I'm just venting a little. 

Having gone back and forth with all the different challenges, I decided to try the ABC Challenge : O is for One Paper. I kept telling myself, "Keep it simple", and then felt inspired to use my sewing machine. I realised after the card was done, that it could be entered for 3 more challenges!! Sophisti-cat Challenge #22 and Crafty Creations Challenge #55 both required stitching. And Creative Belli Blog Challenge #85 asked for butterflies or dragonflies. Well, I decided to give them one butterfly. Hope that counts!!!

I took a close-up of the card so you can see my perfect stitching skills (Ahem!!!). And the other pic shows the front and back of the paper I used. The colours are completely different but it really is just one paper that I used!

Well, I think I'm beginning to feel a little motivated now!! Hoping to attack more challenges this evening, depending on how long it takes to clean my kitchen. I'm off...Namaste!!

Friday, Friday, Friday!!!

Can't believe a whole week has gone by so quickly. The weekend zooms by, then it's Monday, and then Thursday is trash day, and the weekend comes again. My older son has an interesting personality and he says things that really crack me up. The other day in the car, he says, "Amma (Mom), when can I be a boy?". I was a little puzzled with his question, but I answered, "But you are a boy!". To which he said, "Oh, that's right!! I didn't notice!". My little one will be two in June and is such a great kid. He smiles all day, and sings and babbles. They both bring me and my husband so much joy.

I've been on a whole stash of cards for the MOMS Club that I belong to. I was thrilled when they agreed to buy greetings cards from me, even if it was a really nominal price. I'm just glad I get to share my creations with others. I ended up making 24 birthday and 8 "new baby" cards. I did rely on past challenge sketches and colour combinations but I'm quite thrilled to say that they've all come out beautiful. 

Last night, I decided to take on the EBTKS Sketch Challenge #9. I absolutely love this sketch. It's simple and straightforward. I love all the different interpretations by the design team and other card makers. I kept it really really simple, relying on some cool DP and embellishments from the Hul-la-ba-loo collection (Making Memories). I used a sentiment sticker from my scrap booking stash.

I just figured out how to create a watermark on the pic with my blog address!! So much to learn!! 

My 11th year wedding anniversary is coming up this weekend. I'm so blessed to be married to the most wonderful man. He has been with me through all my challenging and joyous moments and I love him to death! (OK, that's enough with the mush!!). Can't figure out what kind of card to make him. I might end up writing him a letter instead. Haven't done that in a long time, and it will be something different. 

I've missed several challenges over the week, but I'm ready to get back into challenge mode again. Can't wait to create some more. Hope all of you had a great week, and enjoy your weekend. You know, when they say that every moment counts, they're not kidding. Time flies by so quickly, and all you have left are memories. So make some good ones:) Namaste!!

Phew!!! Just made it!

Here's my entry for the Play Date Cafe Challenge 16: the colours being red, lavender and silver. This is a very very simple card, and I made it in less than an hour. Have been working on an exciting project which I shall write about later. G'night and Namaste!!!

Happy Valentine's day!!

I woke up to find my husband standing by the bed, waiting to give me a card. I realised that I hadn't really thought of giving him one in return and then figured that I had all these Valentine themed cards sitting on my craft table. Every time, he would see my new creation, he would ask, "Is this one for me?". They're all for you, my darling!! They're all for you!!

I attended the stamp camp with Marci Cyphert, a SU demonstrator, and it was so much fun. Firstly, she has a home that makes you want to just stand there and go, "Awwwww!!". And then, her bubbly personality coupled with that of all the other wonderful ladies, makes me want another hour of card making with her! We made some Easter themed cards. I left out the sentiments on some of them, since I figured I could use the cards for other occasions as well. We also made this really cute milk carton using the die-cutting machine and decorated it with an embossed chocolate bunny image. So cute!!!!! 

I have two cards to show you in this blog. One is for the Crafty Creations Challenge #54 (Friends). I used my Gina K. stamp from the "Framed Friends" stamp set by Asela Hopkins. It has a really sweet sentiment that goes with it. The DP is from my scrap-booking stash and the ribbon is from Gina K. as well. I used my blender pens and water colour crayons from Stampin' Up. I still have to work on my shading and colouring though!

The second card is for the ABC Challenge - N is for New. I used the stamp from my newly acquired stamp prize from Gina K. The collection is "Lovely Shelf" stamp set by Nina Brackett. The DP is from a collection called La Creme Stack by DCWV, available at JoAnn, the ribbon from Gina K. and the sentiment from my Stampin' Up collection.

My son is off from school tomorrow AGAIN!! I have to figure out how to entertain him. We do have a card to make for his friend's birthday coming up on Friday. Maybe that'll keep him occupied for an hour at least. And then a couple of games of Chutes and Ladders and several books.....I'll figure something out tomorrow. 

Tomorrow is the hub's big 4-0!!! I've been working on a card with my son but need to finish it. I found a really great photograph which is on the front of the card. And then next week is our 11th year anniversary. How time flies!!! Need to work on a card for that. Nothing from my stash seems perfect enough, but I know he'll love even a post-it with a licked on sticker!!! Will post images of the cards soon. Till then, Namaste!!

Snowed-in week???

I'm soooo thankful I have my stamping to keep me sane while the weather outside seems to be getting more and more brutal. Of course, there are the multitude of chores, but besides that I really can't think of how else I could have spent my time, cooped up in the house. I'm hoping school is on tomorrow, because my older son is really craving his usual schedule and missing his friends. Besides, I think we're both tired of hearing me say, "You do that one more time, and you get a time-out!!!".

I attempted Lauras' Sketch from 2S4Y and used the colours from the Color Q Challenge # 19 (Regal Rose, Blush Blossom, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and White). I have to say that the card is a very loose interpretation of both challenges, but pretty enough to show it to you!!!

The stamp is from the Gina K. collection called Lovely Shelf by Nina Brackett. This stamp collection is the first that I've won so far!!! Yes, I actually won a challenge a couple of weeks ago, and it made me feel like a kid eating cake for the first time!! Yippee!!!

This next card is based on the sketch from Tuesday Morning Sketches #32 and the colors were inspired by the Color Dare Challenge #55 (Crushed Curry, Kiwi Kiss, Brilliant Blue, and Kraft). Oh, that reminds me about cooking dinner soon!!!

I got this really sweet image of the girl with the flower basket from a really neat website called Bee Crafty. I think this was the only freebie available because I didn't seem to find anymore. If any of you decide to check out the website and finding anything else that's interesting, let me know!!

This final card is based on a sketch from the Just Us Girls Challenge #19. I haven't done as much layering as I did with this one. I had an image I'd already coloured in, that I had downloaded from Digital Doodling. There are some really cute images here if you're looking.







The DP is this really gorgeous collection called La Creme Stack by DCWV. Some of the prints has flocking on it, which gives it an incredible feel and look. I chose the "believe" sentiment, since it almost looked like the girl was making a wish with her eyes closed. I added a little glitter glue to the image (not sure if you can see too clearly).

I'm off to begin another card. I have another stamping camp coming up this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. It will be great to learn some new techniques and meet fellow stampers. Not sure what the theme might be but I'm sure it'll be fun!! Well, I have to try and get my older one to bed before he asks me for his tenth snack of the night!! G'night and Namaste!!

Stamping on a snow day

I didn't even attempt to venture out of the house today. The news channel declared it a snow day, and that's exactly how I treated it. I managed to have my older son's friend come over in the evening, so he wouldn't go completely cuckoo from being cooped up. I didn't have to cook since I made a feast last evening to enjoy with some friends, while watching the big game. I did a load of laundry, answered some emails, cleaned the kitchen. But best of all, I got this card done.....

I found this China Belle image at Digital Doodling. Isn't she sweet? I decided to go with the Play Date Cafe (PDCC15) colours, which were green, blue, rust and black. The sketch is from website I just discovered called Card Patterns (Sketch 50). I had to rely on my handy paper scissors since I don't have a die-cutting machine. (I let my hubs know that I would love one of these as an anniversary gift, instead of a ring!!).

I usually begin by selecting my DP and working backwards, choosing my image at the very end. But since I had this really cute digi stamp, I began with that. I would have loved to add more flowers and make the card more complex, but I'd had enough of cutting, and I figured I might as well stop before I added something I didn't like.

The Play Date Cafe is looking for new members for their design team. I realise that I don't have much experience compared to so many other stampers and card makers, but there's no harm in giving it a try, right? So, first thing tomorrow, I'm sending in my "resume" and hopefully, I might be considered. Oh, that reminds me; I have to start working on taking better pics, since that is a definite requirement. Can't wait for the sun to come up to begin clicking away!! Namaste:)

Going round in circles!!!

I had a really hard time doing this card. The title says it all!! I was trying to combine two challenges and I didn't realise it would as tricky as it was. I worked all morning, while my kids cooperated by playing and watching a little TV, and was finally done with the card after lunch!!! I think it took so long because I changed my mind about the DPs several times, and then was trying to coordinate the colours as best as possible. There's a lot more layering on the card than usual, and many different shapes!! All in all, I would say it was a fruitful morning!

Still working on trying to get good pics of my projects. But this seems brighter than my earlier attempts. Anyway, here are the different challenges I'm entering this card for:

1. Pal Paper Arts (PPA28) - Color Challenge: Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink and Basic Black

2. Our Creative Corner - Sketch Challenge: Masculine Valentine

3. Bee Crafty - Challenge 23 : Romance

4. By the Cute and Girly - February Challenge: Love

5. Charisma Cardz Challenges - Challenge 5 : I love you

6. C.R.A.F.T Challenge 36 : Love/Valentine

7. Crazy 4 Challenges (C4C23) : Be my Valentine

8. Delightful Sketches & Challenges : A new challenge

9. Fussy & Fancy Friday Challenge : Hearts

10. Ginger Snap Creations (GC41) : Chestnut Challenge - Romance

11. Humble Pie: Love
12. Lily Of the Valley Challenge 46: Valentines

Phew!!! That's my list. I really have to get some cleaning done before I start on some more cards. Namaste!!

Freebies make my day!!

My jaw dropped when I saw how much snow had accumulated overnight!! I decided that there was nothing better to do than make another card, while my hubs decided how to tackle the arduous task of getting rid of all that frozen vapor!!!

I was running out of ideas and my creativity seemed to be dwindling. And then I figured I could check out some digital freebies and I found a really cute one!! This image is from the website stamping.craftgossip.com (digital love birds stamp). It took me a while to colour it in and cut it out, but I was really pleased with the end result. I'm trying really hard to stay away from love themed cards, but I keep going back to those subconsciously!! Guess I'll just have to wait till February 15th to be inspired by other themes.

The colours are from the Color Throwdown #78 and the sketch is from Just Add Ink Challenge 3. I might try and enter another card for both challenges if I have the time. I found a few more digital freebies, and I can't wait to use them. 

We had a great evening out, celebrating our neighbour's son's birthday. It was great to see everyone from our street after such a long time. I'm not known to step out when winter hits us, so it really felt like a reunion of sorts. The kids had a blast, and I was just thrilled to be out, sharing some quality time with great friends. Need to head to bed now. G'night and Namaste!!

Finding my creative mojo!!!

Ok, ok, I know I have to work on my blog titles. Seriously, I think and think, and finally come up with an unintelligent blank. And then I think some more, and I throw some words together, and voila!!! Ok, let's move on to better stuff. I created this card for the Mojo Monday Challenge 124 and the Creative Card Crew Challenge 44 (Valentines), hence the very "original" title. Ha ha!!! I'm also entering this card for SophistiCat Challenge #20 (Love).  

I decided to stamp the leaf background with a block I'd bought from.......you guessed right, JoAnn. Everything on the card is from the store actually. I really have to get more organised and start listing the supplies used and their source. That's one other thing I have to work on other than the blog title thingi!!

Can't believe it's Friday already. My hubs and I are planning on attending an evening of Jazz but it's supposed to snow 6- 12 inches tonight. Oh well, we could always just open a bottle of wine and watch a movie. His birthday is coming up and I'm still not sure what kind of card to make for him. We haven't done presents in years but this time I bought him a book that I thought he might enjoy reading. He's a history buff, and I found a great book about the gypsies; a group of people he's always been fascinated with. Hope he likes it. 

Got to run now to pick up my preschooler. Namaste!!

And we're back!!!!

My computer had a virus and I wasn't able to upload pics or write my blog for 3 whole days!!! Oh, the torture of it!! Seriously, I was experiencing blog withdrawal yesterday, and then my wonderful husband came home early from work, and fixed it. Well, actually we ended up staring at our computer screen for almost 4 hours while some genius tech guy in India logged onto our system and worked a miracle!! It felt like watching two movies back to back, but with no sound, no pics, and no story. Anyway, here I am again!!!! 

I found the chipboard flower cutouts at JoAnn, and somehow thought it went great with the floral DP. The sketch is from Tuesday Morning Sketches #31 and the colours are from Color Q Challenge #18. I really liked this sketch, because it's simple and can be interpreted in so many ways. I stayed with the original and didn't try anything out of the ordinary. The colours are very pretty too; Melon Mambo, So Saffron, Old Olive, Baja Breeze & White (I love anything that is food-related!!). 

The sentiment is actually on vellum and is from my scrap-booking collection. I think it had something to do with family and heritage. This one really stood out and I wanted to put something different other than the usual "Happy blah blah" that I use. 

Oh, how sweet it is to be back in the blogging world again!!! Need to call the hubster to thank him. B'bye and Namaste!

Thinking out of the box

I decided to do away with my paper cutter for a while, and tear instead. I have to admit that it was not only therapeutic but allowed me to look over inconsistencies in lines. I had attempted to make a card for the Play Date Cafe Challenge (PDCC14), but wasn't happy with it at all. I was really challenged by the colours (orange, lilac, dusky pink, dark green & white). Well, let's just say that the lilac and dusky pink kind of threw me off. So, I put away my stuff and forgot about it for a while. 

I browsed through my stash again today, when I realised that the deadline for the challenge was tonight. So I went with the tearing. And I was also inspired to bring out my sewing machine and use it. 

This really is a toned down version of the colours displayed on the challenge page, but I kind of just went with it. I know that white was a colour requirement, and I noticed that it was actually in the areas where the paper was torn, so I didn't add the colour specifically. Thinking I'll take a short nap before my little one wakes up. Namaste.