Sunday, July 5

A Few Things...

This past week had been soooo hectic with relatives visiting, 4th of July and volunteer work.  We just held our biggest party at home with 25 people and guess what?  I was so busy that I forgot to take photos.  Not a single photo of the party.  That is frustrating.  But I still plan on making a scrapbook page to notate the details.  That is going to be a challenge but I'm willing to take it.

   

Amidst everything, I stole some time to make a birthday card for my DSIL.  I knew if I mail it on Friday, it would reach her the next day, just before her birthday which is today.  But guess what?  I arrive at the PO and it's already closed.  Apparently, they were only operating til 12 noon on Friday in preparation for 4th of July.  I guess I'll have to revise this card and make it a belated birthday card.  Looking at the bright side, I am now able to take photos to share with you.  Because this was meant to be a quick card to begin with, I used K & Company Designer Cards for my base.  Then I accented with Nestabilities Labels 1, Spellbinders Photo Buckle and Dewdrops Golden Berry.  The embossed cupcake image is by Inkadinkado, cut with SU Label Punch.  All the sentiments are by Cloud 9 Designs.  You can see more photos here.

Also, The Daily Scrapper has just released its 11th issue.  I wrote an article there about Crafty Gardening.  Don't forget to download our free digital kit Tropical Retreat sponsored by Gotta Pixel, which you'll know more about in this article.  What's more special about this issue is the launch of TDS Studio, an exclusive club offering one of a kind kits specially designed by hand picked talented designers and great stores in the digital scrapbook industry.  Currently on display is Radiant Grunge by Armina Designs.  Here is a page I made using this wonderful kit.  I also used CK Ali's writing for the journaling font and Alpha Doodle by Kaye Winiecki for the main title.  This digital page was assembled with Memory Mixer 2.

 
 

Interested to join this exclusive club?  Click here for more information.  Really it doesn't matter where you are.  Once you're a member, all you have to do is download the digital scrapbooking kits, and create away.
 
'Till next blog!

Friday, June 26

Playing with Impressabilities

Last night after coming home from DSIL's birthday party, I felt the urge to make a card.  My newly acquired Spellbinders Impressabilities were the culprit.  At first I said I was just going to play with them and see how the embossing looked like.  I love the outcome and I'm so glad that I bought these new embossing tools.
 
 Impressabilities Paisley


Impressabilities Butterfly


Impressabilties Snowflake


And even though it was late, I still felt the urge to make a card using the embossed cardstock made with Impressabilities.  I picked an image I received from my past Image Swap and colored it with Copic Markers.  The sentiment is from SU Best Yet set, cut with SU Label Punch.  I also used Nestabilities Curved Rectangles, Dew Drops Mow Grass and leftover bg paper and ribbon.  Then I touched it up with Spica Glitter Pens and Stickles.  For this card, I used Impressabilities Flowers.




See this card in detail here.  I also made a review of the Impressabilities here.


Wednesday, June 24

Something Different

Something Different It's been really hot lately in Northern Michigan.  It reminded me of the sizzling hot summer days back in the Philippines.  And for the first time in my 2 years of being a Michigander, I complained about the weather.
 
I was irritated I got too lazy.  I wanted to create something, but I didn't want to do any scrapbooking or card making, crochet or cross stitch.  I wanted something different to take my mind off the heat.
 
So I decided to make some bead projects.
 
Every now and then, I would buy beading magazines, not just for myself but also for my sister.  She's actually the one who loves to bead.  In Bead and Button magazine, there was a pattern for bead balls called Blooming Beaded Beads.  That's different.  So I decided to give it a shot.  
 
At first, I was just trying to follow the illustration and I was ending up nowhere.  I looked at the clock and almost 2 hours have passed and I still haven't finished a darn ball.  My back was aching and I was getting more irritated.  It made me remember why I wasn't so fond of beading in the first place.



 

After taking a breather, I realized that I really should read the instructions, step by step.  Only then did my bead ball started to look like a ball.  After my first ball, I decided to make more.  When I was almost done, I wanted to put something inside before I closed it up.  I couldn't find one, so I tried putting in the first ball.  It worked perfectly.
 
The next day, I wanted to make more.  So I made another ball.  It was easier the third time, and faster.  And so I decided to make another one, this time experimenting with a different kind of bead.  Halfway through, I thought it could work as a mushroom or something.  And using the Herringbone Tubular stitch, I made the stem.  Now looking at the photos, I'm trying to decide if it's a mushroom or a tree.  Haha!
 
To see my latest bead projects in detail, please click here.
 
That concluded my short beading frenzy.    
 

Tuesday, June 23

Card Making Time!

Card Making Time! Well, not for me.
 
Our niece and nephew from Alaska are here visiting, and it's their Mom's birthday in a few days.  So we thought of surprising their Mom on her special day.  Another niece jumped in the band wagon too and made a couple of cards.  The rule was:  finish the cards, then it's play time!

 
To make it easier, I made them choose images from my Stamped Images Organizer, gathered from the many image swaps I have joined and hosted.  Then I had them color their chosen images with Copic Markers.  After that, I made them choose their cardstock base.  I took out my Nestabilities dies and helped them choose and cut and layer their images.  They also chose the main background paper for their respective cards.  Theresa and Victoria opted to use edge punches, while Dominic decided to make a tri-fold card.  After assembling their cards, they added embellishments of their choice for the final touches.
It's nice to see kids make cards.  It is inspiring and gave me fresh ideas.
 
Want to see their cards?  Click here.

Monday, June 22

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy

Spellbinders Blog Frenzy Hello fellow crafters!  Here are a couple of enablers for you...
 
Spellbinders has some new release dies up for grabs.  Basically all you need to do is visit the blogs showcasing each new die everyday.  Then you will have to send an email to the address stated on that particular blog, then you have your entry.  For more information, check out the Spellbinders Blog.  And guess what?  The Frenzy start today with one of my favorite card makers Becca Feeken, who I'm proud to say, is also a Filipina!  Woot!  The good news about this one is everybody is welcome to join, anywhere in the world :D
 
Nestabilities is one of my favorite tools, especially in card making.  And speaking of which, Ritz Camera is having a really good sale on their scrapbooking supplies, including Wizard products.  Right now, all their Nestabilities, including the new ones, are only $16.65.  BUT it doesn't end there.  If you pay via Paypal, you get $20 off if you spend $100 or more PLUS free shipping.  That is the best deal I've ever encountered with Nestabilities.
Sorry I have nothing new to share.  We've been really busy with relatives visiting.  So let me share with you some of my projects using Spellbinders dies: