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!