Bella Blvd.

Hey all. Yup, its been a bit quite around here so I thought I should stop in and say howdy. I actually have been trying my hand at getting on a design team as of late and here are some things that I can show you now. No luck yet, but I'm really having fun creating so I'm happy!!

The Bella Blvd supplies here were limited. I made up all that I could with what I had and used my little noggin' to figure out some different styles. I guess you can let me know if I succeeded. 

First one is all stamping:

 Next one is scrappy.

 I had this in my brain, and tried it a couple of different ways. Here is the best one of the bunch. Hmmm, I can't tell if I like it.

 Here's some washi tape love:

 Last on is scrappy again.

I really had a great time with these supplies and all these babies (and the rest you didn't see) will be heading their way to the Red Dot museum for sale next week. Fingers crossed!!

Have a good one. And thanks for stopping by!

k

I Just LOVE You

If your anything like me, you have piles and piles of cards you have made through the months (and maybe years) that are collecting dust, for whatever reason. (Hello! This is a no-judging zone!!)

At a certain point the glue, runners tape or sticky dots wear out and things need to be rebuilt.

Take exhibit A: 

Well, I guess this would be Exhibit B since A was ripped apart and put onto this card. I kept the hearts and buttons from the first card and cut up the burlap to suit this new one. It was a simple job, but someone had to do it. Cause really, the dust on it was getting embarrassing! I guess it still feels a bit dated. Well, we will see if Red Dot will sell it, if not, I will have to send it on to my mother. She loves everything. Heaven bless her ; )

So just thought I would share a quick one before my weekend was over. Where did it go anyway?! Today has been full of birthday parties (for my 9 year old and other friends at the pool), arcades, pizza, ice cream, and a few sick kids. Nothing helps round out a day better than a few sick kids. Am I right?!

So, good night to you all. A few more hours and I can be sawin' logs like the rest of 'em.

hope you have a smashing weekend.

k

Waltzing Mouse Sweet Birthday Wishes

Hey... good morning to you! It's actually about 2:30 in the morning for me right now and I'm feeling less chipper and more sleepy. I've been working on some schtuff tonight but can't share much with you yet. Hopefully soon though! 

So I wanted to stop in real quick to show you some of my favorite stamps right now:

The strawberry and sentiment is from Waltzing Mouse Stamps. I do luurve it so. And the Ikat is from Papertrey.

Just a quick one tonight. But hope to be back in a day with other fun things to share!

Good Night or Good Morning to you, where every you may be...

k

Scooting by to say...

More Paper Smooches Love coming your way.

Ack! I love this scooter!

Copic Markers for the bike and fire. Prisma Glitter for my road and a Provo Craft embossing plate for my card base. I added a Paper Smooches sentiment and a Papertrey Ink birthday sentiment under it.

I made up a bunch of scooter cards to sell and was coloring until my markers ran dry! I need to find a place in Singapore that has re-fills and FAST! That's the one thing about moving to a new place and especially this place. I can never find where to get the goods I need. I do know they have them, but where, oh where!?

Thanks for stopping in today.

Have a good one.

k

Hello TV

You know what's funny.... I don't actually own a real t.v. 

I mean, I have a t.v. here that was left in the apartment by our landlord but I'm pretty sure its from the '80's so its HUGE and old and difficult. But I don't own a nice happy, slim, bright new t.v. And I kinda wish I did!

Maybe that's why Kim Hughes set Boob Tubes needed to come to my house to play. (And incidentally, my dad used to call it the boob tube and I used to giggle to myself every time. You just can't say that anymore can you? Just like how flip-flops used to be thongs? No, way that's every coming out of my mouth again!)

But, I digress....

This set is adorable. I really am in love with all things by Kim Hughes and Paper Smooches. I mean, I even love the name. Sooooo I made up all these t.v. cards. I just couldn't stop! This was one of my favorites. I just love the mellow colors and modern yet '70's vibe it puts off. I die cut the chevron and then stamped it with straight lines. The card base is actually soft stone by PTI. Which I think, rounds it out.

Anyway... hello to you! This week has been a doosie cause baby #4 got his binkies taken away. His teeth are ATROCIOUS! And he's turning two in a week, so I thought it was time. What I'm amazed at is that we are finally exiting all these baby stages. Before I know it, I will only have big kids in the house! That kind of has me doing a happy dance, if you must know...

Hope you have a good day and get in a dance move or two ;)
love,
k

Silk Flower Hello

It's time again, to share a bit of card stuff with you. I have a dear friend here who is a jewelry designer. She's amazing! She was making up some little girl headbands and fashioned a plethora of these beautiful silk flowers. I just couldn't pass them up, I had to buy some! (You can meet here HERE)

I have been exploring purple lately. It's an interesting color for me. Something I LOVED as a kid, but haven't had much experience with since.

This card has 2 shades, some olive silk ribbon and a sweet leaf hat pin. Which I'm in love with.

There is a simple sentiment since the rest is so BAM! in yo face!

Alright... that just about wraps 'er up.
hope you have a great weekend! I have a husband coming home from a business trip and a 13th wedding anniversary to plan. WOW... who knew we could make it this long!?

Wish me luck!!

k

Shimmer and Ombre and Cards, Oh my!

Hey there peeps! Good to be back, and so soon! I have two cards to share today. One I made awhile ago when I was at my mothers in the states. I had a HUGE order come to her house so I could play while I made my visit. Then I packed all that up and brought it home! But one thing I don't have which she does, is this gorgeous shimmer paper by PTI. It's so lovely in person. This photo does not do it justice. I used a new embossing folder by Provo Craft which I love:

Second photo involves a few steps. First, an ombre coloring with Copic Markers. In 3 shades of teal. Then I stamped my medallions with orange and then white ink. Added some rhinestones and a ribbon and adhered it to my card base. I really wanted to see what the shading of the Copics would do with stamping overlaid. I really love the look.

I have a photo lamp thats been out of commission so I am really struggling with getting good photos. Even though it is sunny and hot hot hot here in Singapore I just need more light coming through my windows (not more heat, which I DO have!)

Anyway, thats all for today. Hope your doing great as you take some time out to visit the blog-o-sphere.

love to you
k

Marbled Paper using Shaving Cream

I've seen this technique around for some time, and you know how you catalog things in your brain hoping to get to try it someday? Well, that "someday" finally came....

After a walk through my local market, I finally tracked down some regular shaving cream. (Singapore likes to sell a lot of the gel kind; which you can not use). Even after getting the cream, I put it aside hoping there would be time in between my regular life to try it out. A few days had passed until I had a friend request a father's day card for her husband. (She's Australian... they celebrate this weekend and not in June like the US)

Anyway, I thought this would be the PERFECT time to bust out the shaving cream!

It was really really fun. Just so you know. You should try it! And the best of all, it even smells manly! My entire office smelled musky. Kind of nice! wink~wink.

I used re-inkers from PTI for my color but I know you can use regular food coloring. Which will be what I use when I show this to my kids. They are going to love it!

I swirled around the color in the cream and pressed my watercolor paper into the mixture. I'm pretty sure you can use any kind of paper, but I like the texture the watercolor paper adds and also, I thought it would soak up the color best. I should have done a test with another paper to check it out. Maybe next time.

I added a simple Ali Miles sentiment to the card and adhered my watercolor paper to a card base. This is actually a different card than the one I gave my friend for her husband, because of course, I forgot to get photos before I handed it off. It was generally the same, but with a father's day sentiment. So, Happy Father's Day to all my Aussie friends!! Father's really are the best...

Thanks for stopping in today. Hope you have a good one
;)
k

Red Dot Museum MAAD (September)

Hey there! I'm just checking in with a few little things I have been working on. As I may have mentioned before, my life has taken a few twists and turns. And after adding baby #4 to the family and making an international move, I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus. However, I am now feeling a bit more like myself!! Baby is almost 2 (as is our international living situation) and I have finally found a groove here in Singapore that allows me to craft at a regular pace. Hallelujah!!

I have a dear friend here who has made Singapore an amazing place to be. She is a crafty lady herself (specializing in jewelry making, graphic design and more!). She has helped me get my feet back into the crafting world and I owe her a great deal. She also has lead me to my first market selling experience. Here in Singapore the Red Dot Museum has a monthly market where all things sold are handmade. They call it MAAD (which is something different in the states, so don't be mislead ; )

 So, lucky little me, has been able to participate! This month will be my second time, and I am excited to go (and fully stocked!)

This little guy sold last time. He was one of my favorites:

And I have other things that will be heading off to sell this month. 

 I feel like my style has been changing a bit. Maybe its the Asian minimalist style rubbing off on me, but I seem to be trying to branch out a bit. Although I do like to add embellishments still ; )

Anyway, the first friday of every month, I will be going off to market, and I hope to share some of the things that will be going with me.

I hope to see a few of the old faces (hello, USA peeps!) as well as make some new ones this side of the world (bring it Singapore!)

I feel like I'm back. And I'm excited to be here!! Drop me a line to say hello and share with me some of the things you have been working on. I will pop by your blog to say hi!

until next time, thanks for stopping by!
k

Farewell Stamp-a-Faire. Until next time....

Well, its over, I guess. Here's a glimpse of my desk with my little cards all in a row. 

You can't actually see the huge mess I made. It's on every side and every surface. I don't even know how to start cleaning up. Maybe I will do it later...

What a great time I had. I learned so many new things! I'm excited to incorporate them into my creating. Thanks Nichole, the Design Team and Papertrey Ink for an amazing time!!!!

Tea Staining Challenge

I started tea dying my muslin even before Stamp-a-Faire started! I was excited to get started! 

I die cut the muslin using the snowflake dies and also cut some printed paper and felt to go with it.

 I'm still working on my "vintage style" since it doesn't come naturally for me. This worked out ok. I feel like there is something off, but can't put my finger on it. BUT I do like my muslin snowflakes!

 I added some enamel dots and this great sentiment from Peace Joy Love set (which I can't find right now so I don't know if thats the actual name, or I just made it up. Seriously, where could it be?!?)

Alright, so this was my last challenge completed. I finally did it! I managed to do every one! Whew... I'm going to take some cold medicine and hit the hay!

Custom Accents from the Oven Challenge

I've always loved shrink plastic. What's not to like? I die cut a few things and stamped them but after shrinking them, chose this little tag. I used an embossing tool to shrink mine, and I realize it make it a little wonky... as you may be able to see close up.

But, I did like how it turned out and I was excited to use this new set, Reasons to Smile. I love those poppies!
After I finished this one I realized its a great use of the Gallon, Quart, Pint concept. Really, that thing is life changing!!

And here's my little shrink tag. I used the Background Basics: Text Style as my background and added a matted sentiment from Reasons To Smile.

Scent-sational Challenge

How much do I adore the new stamp set Nichole created. I love scratch and sniff. I love cards. It all goes so great together! You know one of the things about living in Singapore, is you don't have a lot of the same things you get in the states (i guess that goes without saying) 

Anyway, I couldn't find any of the flavors of jell-o I wanted and of course they have never even HEARD of Kool-Aid! I did manage to track down some chocolate pudding (sugarfree) and some lime. I have the older Be Fruitful that I want to try that one out on. Anyway, because of this I chose the chocolate chip image and stamped it in Dark Chocolate (of course ; )

I love stamping that little tag in silver. Makes me want some chocolate! Now because of this pesky cold I have, I can't tell if it actually worked! Isn't that funny? This technique was the main reason I was interested in Stamp-a-faire in the first place and now I can't even enjoy it properly! Seriously, life is funny that way. Or maybe not so funny, depending on how you look at it.

I tracked down some Crystal Light that might work for me with some of the other images, but I just love the entire set and can't wait to keep creating with it. I hope my cold goes away fast!

Sprinkle of Salt Challenge

Hey-lo there. This challenge I liked a lot. I have these watercolor paper postcards that I picked up to sell at the Red Dot fair. (it happens every month so if you live in Singapore, stop by!!)

I thought this would be a fun technique for a fast card. I pulled out my watercolor pencils and brushed on a few colors. Then added my salt.

And here is the result! So cool. I added a simple sentiment trying to consider why someone would send a postcard. Maybe I should have carved a Singapore stamp so I can send it to my family! But I usually do get my birthday cards out late, so this is a good one too.

Because I was having fun, I tried a second card. I actually stamped and embossed this watercolor paper with clear powder and Round Repeats stamps. Then I watercolored around the medallions and then added my salt.

 I like how it makes it a tye-dyed look. But because of the embossing there wasn't a lot of space for the salt to work. But I do still like the results. Love the cheery look of the yellow and orange!

And I think my all time favorite font right now is from the Stamped Simply set by Maile Belles. So great...

Rolled Dough Design Challenge

Here's my take on the challenge using the Creative Paperclay compound. I impressed the stocking die cut from Stocking Stuffers and cut it out. I stamped it with Pure Poppy and topped the top with flocking. I filled in the negative space of the stamp with Stickles

I die cut some felt and old book pages with snowflake dies and layered them up behind the stocking. I impressed my card base with the diagonal lines impression plate (which I've ruined so the back side lines punch through too! GAH!!) and then I rubbed some Vintage Cream ink across the embossed areas to pull out the pattern a bit.

Add some bakers twine and a cute sentiment and you have a completed challenge!!

Gallon, Quart, Pint Challenge

I love this concept. Love Betsy for explaining it so clearly and helping my brain understand it to the point where I can use it! It is amazing! After listening to the concept, I've started to notice it everywhere. Even on cards I have made before and can see now why they work! So its been an epiphany for sure.

Here's my take on the challenge. 

My main color is Royal Velvet, my quart color is scarlet jewel (stamped off once to lighten it up a bit) and my pint color is the gold. or maybe its the other way around? what do you think. The gold embossing is really bold so maybe its more dominant. Regardless, I like it!

Challenge complete!!

Mixing Mists Challenge

Hey there! Just working like crazy here to get my challenges done in time. This challenge was to mix up your own mists to match.  Well, of course the one ingredient you need for this (rubbing alcohol) I forgot to get! I didn't want to stop to go and get some, so I did what any sensible card maker would do... I used hand sanitizer!!!

Technically its alcohol but just a thicker consistency. So I added it and water to my misting bottle and proceeded as normal. The thing I'm actually surprised by is that it worked! I added some perfect pearls which had turned rock hard in this Singapore moisture, but after some pounding and digging, they powdered right back up. Thank goodness, cause I did want a glimmer.

What I've noticed is after learning a technique and putting together my own card, I realize there are a lot of similar things to the card Nichole did on her blog. The subconscious mind is a powerful thing! I didn't realize I used the exact same colors until it was finished. Oh well, at least my mind is CASEing someone awesome!

Limited Ingredients Challenge

The next challenge is to use the following things. Nothing more.

• white cardstock
• white or transparent glitter(Prisma Glitter)
• 1-3/4" circle punch or die
• 1" strip of light gray cardstock (Soft Stone)
• melon cardstock & ink (Melon Berry)
• aqua cardstock & ink (Aqua Mist)
• golden yellow cardstock & ink (Harvest Gold)

Here is my take on the challenge. 

I'm trying to be optimistic, but all I can say is, you win some, you lose some.

On to the next challenge!!

Sugar Coated Challenge

Well, I'm slowly working on each challenge. These are the last ones listed but the first ones I got to. Its all about the Sugar! And it really did feel like I was coating everything in that sweet crunchy goodness. My entire office has been sugar dusted. I was having so much fun, I made two.

First my sugar zig zag lines. I love these zigs. And glitter make them that much more enjoyable.

The second card I made an embellishment. I used the butterfly die cut and stamped it in scarlet jewel ink and then coated that little baby in glitter. It's a bit difficult to see because of my photos, but the background card has been pressed with the diagonal line impression plate. It gives it a nice subtle something. I need to wait until it is day time to take my photos, so it doesn't look like I live in a cave!

Welp, only a few more challenges left to go. So much to do before the cut off time. I have given myself the challenge to finish every one. I lost some time sleeping off my cold, so I hope to make it up tomorrow. Hope the fates are with me on this one!

thanks for stopping in.
k

Stamp-a-Faire Breakfast Bake and Take

Hello to you all! It's morning time in the US-of-A and the annual Stamp-a-faire for Papertrey Ink has begun!

The first challenge is to take a sketch and color recipe and add them together to make a card. I know this is supposed to get the juices flowing and should be easy, but for some reason, it took me forever!!

here's my color recipe:

and my sketch:

These were actually my second trial since the first idea I had (with different colors and diff sketch) did NOT work out.  Here is what finally came to be after over an hour of working.

It's not bad, but honestly not my favorite. There are a few things that are driving me batty. But alas, tis over now!

My day has been extra long with Patrick's work party for the entire family and coming down with a cold. I have my meds here just to keep me going (uh, and the cookies in the background too ; )
I think my brain is sick, and that's why it took me so long. It has to be something right!?

As you can see out my window, it is dark, dark, dark. Time to get to bed so I can function tomorrow and keep going! I'm excited about the challenges, but after this first go, a bit worried too that my brain isn't up to the challenge! I must get the cobwebs out. It's been SO very long since I have had time set aside to really create new things. Of course I have been stamping again, but a lot of it is old tricks so I think it's good for my brain to get a real challenge and stretch and grow. That's what I'm looking forward to the most for Stamp-a-faire. I'm looking for intense inspiration, and I know the ladies at PTI will bring-it!

So good night for now all you stamping ladies across the world (or maybe just in the USA...or wherever you are) It's kind of fun to know there are others out there right now doing the same thing I love to do. Stamp away my friends!!

Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-Faire Meet & Greet!

Im here... and ready to craft... sort of. I need to clear my desk first so I can get started again! This years Papertrey Ink Stamp-a-faire, is all on line and we are starting!

Say hello to my stamp table (and singapore's ocean right outside my window)

My craft space oozes over to the other desk and onto the floor!

I can't wait to start. Just need to get the kids taken care of and go to a work party first ; ) 

its gong to be a fun busy day!

New Stuff to Share

Hey there all! I do have some new things I have been working on. I am back to making and selling cards, so here are a few that will hopefully be "flying off the shelves" in just a short time. I got some new products and some old, all added together to make some birthday fun:

I don't know about where you live, but here neon is back! So I added that with some chevron. Can't go wrong with that combo (this thing is much more bright in real life)

 This is a card set. I love these little robots. I always have. I used them here with some chalk pencils. And cute sentiments right underneath. It's a greeting card set of 4.

Pardon the less than stellar photos. My camera was out of town when I was taking these ; ) I have many more where these came from. I've been a busy bee. So stay tuned for more!