Saturday 16 June 2012

Baby girl card

Hello bloggers,

Hope you all are well and enjoying summer...I have been missing blogging like crazy.

I have been so busy of late - going through a turbulent phase! 
But I trust the Universe will guide me through this.
Here is a card I made for my first cousin in New York who delivered a baby girl a few weeks ago.


Hope you like my creation - Zeenya was suitably impressed and so was my mum who is visiting. 
Both Zeenya and Aleeza have summer holidays and we are having a relaxed time at home... it is nice to just stay put for a change. 
We did go to the Animal Safari last week ( a two and half hour drive from home) and it was a great experience for Aleeza who loves animals. Will try and post some pics next time.

Took Aleeza for her swim class which she thoroughly enjoyed... thank God for that because she can be so darned adamant sometimes!!! 

Will come and visit soon... still trying to get my computer sorted.

Crafty hugs,

Monica

Friday 8 June 2012

DT card for Unstampabelles

Hello lovely bloggers,

This is my card for the DT post for Unstampabelles, the monthly challenge being Ribbons.
There are great prizes to be won - do go and check it out for yourself.

Great prizes to be won which are being sponsored by Beth of 


On my card I have used three dimensional stickers and the ribbon and pearls are from my stash...

I am sad to say that I have decided to step down from my DT post with Unstampabelles...
However I have to add that it was lots of fun for me and it made me think out of the box. 

School holidays begin this weekend... I am looking forward to lots of bonding with my girls. 

Will catch you later.

Hugs,

Monica xxx


Saturday 2 June 2012

So happy to blog again...

Handmade cards with love:
Hello lovely bloggers,

Hope you are well and having a decent weekend... 
I have been a bit slow with blogging as I have been a bit caught up with life.
On the positive side, I managed to pull myself out of my hectic schedule to go for a spiritual retreat and it was one of the best things that happened to me. I felt as though I was on cloud nine! Wish I could stay in that mode forever... try I will for sure.

Now to my card - the flowers and butterflies are from Petaloo (bought at the scrap booking store) while the paper is from my fave book store. 
All the different circles you see were actually used for another card but I made a card with the left over cardstock.  I stuck  pink card inside and stuck the flower, butterfly and paper on it. Added some pearls on the paper to make it look more interesting. Looks quite elegant, don't you think?


Will come and visit you soon... 

Thanks for all the blog love, what would I do without it, I wonder?

Hugs,
Monica xxx

Thursday 24 May 2012

I like this stamp

Hello lovely bloggers,

Life has been rather hectic to say the least... Mum and our visitor keep me rather busy but happily so.
I have been wanting to blog since the last three days but could not because of some changes with blogger... Earlier on, I would just go to my blog and click on new post and it all worked - not any more. Then I realized that there was this little insignificant tab on the top right which said "blog this". I clicked on it and hopefully this will work...

Here is a quick card I made with my new purchase - Inkadinkado stamp and my new embossing Tim Holtz embossing folder.
Rather simple card but I like the sentiment... hope it sells! Sentiments sometimes take much longer to sell but something tells me this will go quickly.



I had a great day today as some friends came over to lunch and I cooked them an Indian meal. They seemed quite happy with it and that made me feel so good.
Some more good news - have sold 34 cards so far. Getting more ready to sell but it is a bit slow - Aleeza, home, visitor, mum and friends keep me busy!!!

Thanks for your last visit and all those encouraging words - mean so much to me. What else could a crafter thrive on beside kind words - ah, I know, some retail craft therapy and that is what I did today. Will make cards with my new stuff...

My neck and hands are improving... Thanks for listening to all my waffle.

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 14 May 2012

A commissioned card - for a 21st birthday

Hello lovely bloggers,

Belated Mother's Day greetings to all you sweet ladies out there...

I took my mum and two friends out for a movie  (Mirror, Mirror) along with my daughters and our visitor 
yesterday and everyone enjoyed that. It was Aleeza's first time in a movie hall and she seemed to handle it quite well even though it was not really meant for her... So I took her out of the hall and let her buy a dress she liked to lessen the negative impact of the movie on her. She seemed thrilled with that.

This card has been ordered for a 21 year old gal who likes bags... 
Don't know why I put a shoe image instead!!! Hopefully she will be happy with it.
The steel greyish blue paper is pearlized and I have glittered the shoe which is a clear stamp from Hero Arts. The gems are from my stash and so is the ribbon. The flower is a Sizzix die cut and it has been mounted on foam dots. At the bottom I have used my EK success border punch. I embossed the flower and one of the rectangular panels behind the shoe to give some texture. 21 has been handwritten with a metallic pen - wish it was more visible in the picture. Tried to make the card as flat as possible because it is going to be snail-mailed to the UK.



Will come and visit later on... Aleeza is just back from school!

Hugs and have a nice Monday,

Monica

Thursday 10 May 2012

Another commissioned card

Hello lovely bloggers,

I have been busy - Mum is here and we have a visitor from the UK staying with us for three months... and to top it all, Zeenya came back with this unpleasant flu' from her school trip. She had loads of fun though and the fever was a free gift I guess... So that is why I have not been able to visit you all. 

Here is another commissioned card ... 
I have used Penny Black's Stickaroos from The Sticker Store sent to me by Merry
I just love these feminine looking stickers - so English, aren't they?
The textured paper at the bottom is handmade from Indonesia and the gems are from Prima.
The ribbons are from my stash.
I do like the colours on this card but could have done better with the layout, I think. Mum suggested that I put the bow on the side to fill up the empty space. I have glittered the border of the mauve paper which makes it more charming.



Will come and catch up soon.

Hugs and thanks for all the kind comments...

Monica

Saturday 5 May 2012

A commissioned card

Hello lovely bloggers,

Hope you are doing well and are enjoying the sunshine...
My mum is over to visit me from New Delhi so there is a nice feeling in the air...She will make some of her famous paisley cards for me for sure... and of course some yummy food as well.

Zeenya got back from her five day school trip and she had a ball... she bonded with her peers did lots of activities one of them being a 12 km walk in the mountains!!! Kayaking was another and batik painting too. 

Here are two cards I made for a lady who wants thank you cards - she can choose the one she fancies.





The blue textured paper is from the book store close by and the creamy paper is from a wall paper role... Funny how different the two cards look even though they have the same paper.
The butterflies are from Petaloo and the label is from Spellbinders. The ribbon is from my stash.
The creamy butterflies have been punched and the tiny pearls on them are from my stash.
What do you think of these cards? Which one do you like?
The sentiment is handwritten the first card and embossed on the second one.
They look nicer in real life  though.

Wish you a happy weekend,

Will come and visit a bit later as am off to eat my lunch.

Hugs,

Monica


Thursday 3 May 2012

DT card for Unstampabelles for the month of May

Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is my DT card for Unstampabelles for the month of May.

Theme:  Moving Parts(e.g. wiper card, wobble card, waterfall card) 

Bonus entry if brads/split pin used.

This challenge is being sponsored by Craft Mad

I have made this slider card and in the second picture you can see the sliding bit which I have photographed in the second picture.






Used my Stickaroos - kind courtesy Merry from The Sticker Store and the little butterfly is from Petaloo. Have glittered the card stock but it does not show well...
Pearls are from Prima and the border punch is from MS. The ribbon is from my stash.


Will come and visit soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 30 April 2012

Orange is the colour...

Hello sweet people out there,

Quite a trial for me to stay away from blogging...
Missing my visits to your blogs like crazy.
Zeenya - my older one has gone for her first long trip (five days) away from home. And it felt kinda sad in the morning but I went for a swim and then to the physio and that took my mind off. Gosh! To think one day, these kids will leave the nest... 
Some of the mums shed a tear or two and my eyes welled up as well but now I am more cheered up as I am blogging. 

Some more good news... sold another 20 cards and the count has gone to 50 so far...So I have managed to fund the education of three primary schoolers for six months. Thanks to all the love, inspiration and support I have received in every which way.


Below is a card that sold as well. 
I made the flowers while I was painting with Aleeza and cut them out fussily and stuck one on top of the other with double sided foam tape.
The rusty orange paper is from dear Shirley-Anne while the polka dotted one  is from Terry and the paper with swirls is from my stash. The flourishes are from Sizzix and the gem in the centre is from Prima.


I found this card too bright and loud but glad it sold...


Will come and visit now...

Hugs,

Monica

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Half way DT post for Unstampabelles

Hello bloggers,

I know I have doctor's orders to keep away from typing but this is a  midway DT card for Unstampabelles. Am a bit late - better late than never as they say.

The theme is colours of your country and since I live in Indonesia here is my red and white card.
Any form of paper creation will be acceptable as far as there are no stamps (rubber or digital). Black and white are allowed as well beside colours of your country of course.
Bonus entry - shaped card (not a square or rectangle).

Prizes - stickers from The Sticker Store worth 50 dollars!

Suggestions: Quilling, parchment, stickers, boxes, books, scrap pages etc.

It is a monthly challenge so you still have a few days to participate in case you wish...





Supplies:

Card stock - textured white
Printed paper - unknown
Round and scalloped punches - EK Sucess and mounted on foam dots
Border punch - MS
Hearts - kind courtesy Lynn
Ribbon and lace - from stash
Tiny pearls on the top - Prima


Please bear with me - as I am not able to visit you all. Missing that so.

Hugs,

Monica

Sunday 22 April 2012

Some good news!

Hello lovely bloggers,

First of all thank you all for your kind words... I miss blogging so very much and also miss your creations but obey doctor's instructions I must...


Now for some good news - I have managed to sell about 30 cards this year and have raised enough 
(USD 100) to educate two financially challenged kids for six months. 

You all have a hand in this - your love and inspiration has inspired me no end. Thank you so very much!!!

I am getting Physiotherapy done and should be on the mend in say, two- three weeks.

Missing coming to your blogs but soon I will.

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 16 April 2012

Am just taking a break

Hello sweet bloggers,

Just to let you know that I am taking a short break from blogging and card making as my fingers and neck still need more rest.
I will come and visit you all nonetheless, fingers and neck permitting...

With lots of crafty hugs,

Monica

Thursday 12 April 2012

A commissioned card

Hello lovely bloggers,

I know I have been missing for a while - just got so busy that there was not enough time to blog...And I was trying to rest my hands and neck.

Here is a card I made for someone who wanted it for a new baby girl... It is not an uncommon layout but these classic cards seem to sell quite easily for me.


Just to give an update - I have sold 19 cards so far. 
I am not pushing it too much in order to heal my tired hands and neck.

Will come and visit you all some time later this evening.
Hugs,

Monica 

Thursday 5 April 2012

Featured blogger of the month - Mihaela

Hello sweet bloggers,

How nice to have a long weekend to relax...

Here is my monthly post for the featured blogger - 


If you do visit her blog, her quilling will delight you no end... she makes such lovely stuff.

I am happy to be your follower, dear Mihaela!

Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it.

Hugs,

Monica

Tuesday 3 April 2012

For less is more - colour inspiration

Hello sweet bloggers,

Many thanks for the lovely comments on my last card...

Here is a card I made in minutes for Less is More - the theme being colour inspiration for this week.
The card you see below is my second attempt as the first one has plenty of black as you can see further down. So I redid the card and here it is... 
I have used clear stamps from Kaiser and stamped the image with my clear stamping pad. Coloured them with chalks and the embossing at the bottom was done to bring some more interest. I have used an MS border punch on the pink layer but it got covered by the top layer - still looks nice, don't you think?





Below is my first attempt - I do like it and so does Aleeza. She said that she clearly preferred this to the card above. And ssshhh... I went over the image with some glitter glue later. Mandy and Chrissie, hope you are not listening... However it is the card above that I am entering for Less is More.



Would love to know what you think...

Lots of hugs,

Monica

Sunday 1 April 2012

My DT card for Unstampabelles for April


Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my DT card for Unstampabelles for the monthly challenge in April.

Theme: Colours of your country -  anything but square or rectangle.

Do remember - no stamps (digis or rubber) but stickers, decoupage, punches welcome.


I tried to get out of my comfort zone once again and created this Flower Pot card with colours of Indonesian flag....
 Details on how to make this card can be found here.
Flowers - made with Sizzix dies and Carla craft punches. 
Pot embossed with CB.
Ribbon punch - Fiskars
White pearly crystals from Prima.
Ribbon - from stash

Hope you like it - I do think I could have done better on the rim of the pot, it is a wee bit too broad.

We were away to Singapore as the kids had some days off school. Did lots of craft shopping!!!


Catch you later.

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 26 March 2012

For Casual Friday - pastel and black

Hello lovely bloggers,

Aleeza is much better - many thanks for all your kind wishes.

Here is a card I made for Casual Friday - pastel and black. Yes, I stamped directly on to paper - I have come a long way!!!

I am also going to submit this for Make it Monday - anything goes (always)


The stamp is from Penny Black and the I have embossed the black strip of paper -  not really visible in the picture. 
The cow print  is actually a fancy ribbon from my stash - I loved it the minute I saw it. 
I punched the flourishes with my Ek Success border punch and the two waste bits was stuck on the top. 
The pink ribbon is also from my stash and the crystal is from Prima.

I quite liked this cute card...

Would love to know what you think?

Hugs,

Monica 

Blog award from Sandra


Hello lovely bloggers,

My dear friend, Sandra has passed on another award to me... 

Thank you, Sandra for always being so inspirational and caring towards me.




*  This is for any co-blogging friend who has helped you develop your blog in any and all ways.

*  It is for any blogging friend who has cheered you along in your blog building, craft advancing career.
*  For any blogging friend who always stops by and is kind to you. You can count on them to always be one of  the great commenter's at the end of your post.
*  Give to 3-5 Blogs who you feel meet these requirements.
*  Create a post with the terms of use and publish.

I am going to pass this on to the following people:
 



Wishing you happy arty - crafty times.

Hugs,

Monica






Saturday 24 March 2012

For Less is More - Take Three Challenges

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a card I made a few days ago and am going to enter this into Less is More -
 their theme being 
Take Three Challenges and combine them.

The three challenges that I have combined are:

Week 9 Colour - A touch of red (you can see a lot of red!!!)
Week 33 - Anything goes
Week 55 - Punches or diecuts (all the flowers, the two hearts and the MS border punch)

May be a bit too busy for Less is More though...

I am sorry that I have not visited for a couple of days - Aleeza was down with a nasty viral but now she is thankfully on the mend.

Have a pleasant weekend.

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 21 March 2012

Happy Birthday Merry and a blog hop

Hello lovely bloggers,

Today is Merry's birthday - so here is a card wishing her a happy birthday
 with lots of love and blessings.
 Thanks, Stacie for the great idea of doing a blog hop and teaching me what a blog hop is...

We at Unstampabelles are doing a fun birthday blog hop for her...


Wish you a lovely year ahead, Merry.

Hugs,

Monica

Sunday 18 March 2012

For Less is More and Casual Fridays

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my first attempt at 
masking 
for Less is More this week - not sure whether I did a good job but at least I tried...
I think this card is rather stark and sombre... and the sentiment right in the centre makes it more so.
On the brighter side, I have come a long way as I am able to stamp directly on to the card now - that is no small feat for me. Lol.

Am also entering this card for Casual Fridays - one pattern, one stamp, one sentiment. I hope the ribbon does not come in the way.

Supplies:

Base card stock - white
Stripey stamp - Hero Arts
Rectangular stamp - cling from Prima 
Sentiment - clear stamp from Off the Press 
(went over the stamp with a black marker - could not resist the temptation)
Ribbon - American crafts
Stamp pad - Staz on black and black pigment dye
Flowers - Carla craft punch
Crystal - Prima


Have a nice weekend.

Hugs,

Monica

Saturday 17 March 2012

My first Easel card for midway DT post for Unstampabelles


Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is my my very first Easel card all thanks to Sandra 
(who sent me special instructions how to make it).
I have made this for the midway DT post for 
Unstampabelles monthly challenge 
the theme this month being Easter... bonus entry for extra folds.
Remember no rubber stamps or digital images but quilling, decoupage, stickers can be used.

Fabulous prizes to be won... check it out!


Supplies:

Base card stock - vanilla
Mulberry paper - kind courtesy Leigh
Designer paper - from Terry's blog candy
Bunnies - kind courtesy Sandra
Daisies - from stash
Sentiment - hand written

Hope you like my first Easel card! I was pretty happy with it. Thank you so much, Sandra.

Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 15 March 2012

For Casual Fridays


Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a card I made last night - turned out quite pretty in real life.
The printed paper is a tissue napkin from a Chinese restaurant we went to in Rome three years ago!!!
I have used matt gold paper for the nesties (Spell binder) and flowers. They have been embossed and sponged with tea dye distressed ink. The flowers have been punched using dies and punches. Some of the flowers have been sponged as well. 
The sentiment is a Just Rite cling stamp from Spell binders - I just used the inner part of the stamp.



I am going to submit this for http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/ - the theme being sentiment as the focal point.

Rather late for the challenge and not sure whether the card is CAS enough!!!

Hope you like my creation... would love to hear what you think.

Lots of love,

Monica

Saturday 10 March 2012

Second entry for LIM


Hello my sweet bloggers,

I am back in minutes with my second entry for Less is More this week - the theme being one layer script.

I have used white card stock and stamped a Hero Arts image in Staz On black. 
I have sponged the paper with two distressed inks - tattered rose and old paper in some parts of  the image.
This has been stamped using my foot as I tried stamping three times with my hands and it did not work as all parts of the image did not show properly.



Not sure whether these one layered cards will sell but I do love this simple challenge...

Hugs,

Monica

For Less is More - one layer script


Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is a card I have made for Less is More this week, the theme being
one layer - script.


I have used a wine coloured card stock and have stamped a Kaiser craft clear stamp image using 
my Archival Brilliance in pearlescent beige.
 Scored a couple of lines on the top of the card to add some more life to it. 

Made another card earlier and stuck some ribbon and pearls on it only to realize later that it was a one layer challenge!!!  Almost posted it... however on reading the challenge rules again deleted it.




Trust me, it looks better in real life... : (

Anyway catch you later... 

Have a nice, relaxed and crafty weekend.

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 7 March 2012

Featured blogger - Vee Ramsden

Hello lovely bloggers,

I am a bit late in publishing my monthly post on the featured blogger...

This time it is a new fellow blogger called Vee Ramsden at http://bodhicea.blogspot.com/

Vee left a comment on my blog so I paid her a visit and discovered how lovely her blog is...

She makes the most beautiful hand made flowers and her cards are very elegant and pretty.

Her handmade flowers stole my heart!!!

Wish you lots of crafty fun,

Monica


Tuesday 6 March 2012

My second entry for Less is More

Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is my second which card I made this evening for Less is More - neutrals. 

I have stamped a Kaiser Craft image with my Archival Brilliance - pearlescent beige. Pity, that the pearly effect of the ink pad does not show - a night time shot again! Could not wait till the morning as it would mean a further delay in posting...
The tiny flowers have been punched, dabbed with the same ink pad and then shaped with my embossing tool. Stuck pearls to make it look more dressy...
Quite happy with how it turned out in real life - much better than the picture.

I have left it blank as cards with sentiments don't sell quickly for me.



So grateful for blogging and all the encouragement one receives from sister crafters and brother crafters (to sound politically correct - lol).

Catch you later...

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 5 March 2012

First time for CAS_ual Fridays!


Hello sweet bloggers,

I am back with another clean and simple card - this time it is for CAS-ual Fridays and their theme is to create a baby related card.

I have used pearly baby blue card stock but it looks nothing like pearly in the picture...and I have scored the left side of the card which doesn't show either.  I guess I should have waited till the morning to take a day time shot but then that would have meant more delay in posting the card for the challenge.

The stamp is from Kate and Co and the so is the sentiment. I have used my CB stamp die cut and Ek Success square punch for the nesties.
The border punch is from Ek Success as well and the label is from Mc Gill. The grey paper that you see is actually silver matt textured paper.
The crystal is from Prima and I went over the stamp with glitter.



Hope you like my clean and simple creation!

Thanks for all your love and encouragement...

Hugs,

Monica


For Less is More - neutrals


Hello sweet bloggers,

I hope you had a relaxed and happy weekend...

I am kind of taking a break from intensive card making to give my hands that much needed rest... so my mojo has ditched me!

Anyway, here are two variations I made for Less is More, this week, the theme being neutrals.





Supplies:

Base card stock - white
Stamps - Unity (Itty Bitty) stamped with Stazon black
Sentiment - part of stamp
Sponging - black soot

The first picture was taken at night time and the second one is a day time shot - some difference there.


I will also submit this card for Make it Monday - anything goes

Will come and visit you soon.

Monica

Thursday 1 March 2012

My third entry for LIM this week

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card I have made for Less is More using scrap pieces lying around on my table... 
The squares have been punched out of a Starbucks take away cup!!!
I just stuck some roses on them which were lying on my table since a while ago as could not come up with a design!

 Less is More opened up mind and this is what I came up with...
I think Less is More is good for my mind and body!!! Lol.

The sentiment is hand written and the label  (which was also lying around) has been distressed with wild honey to match with the card.




Below is a picture of the scraps lying around on my table... 


Catch you later.


Hugs,

Monica

DT card for Unstampabelles


Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a DT card I made for the

Unstampabelles March challenge
the theme of which is 
Easter  - bonus technique - extra folds.

The bunny has been made with my CB circle nesties, Mc Gill and Carla craft punches - the details on how to make it are here... 
I just added some googly eyes and a ribbon to dress up the bunny. 
I coloured in her paws with my colour pencils as I did not have a smaller sized oval nestie label. 
For the inners of the ears, I just cut the oval label into two and shaped it a bit with my scissors. I have used pop up foam dots to mount the bunny. The bunny has been sponged with TH distressed ink -  spun sugar.
The little pink flowers are from a lace - I cut out each flower individually and stuck it on the border. 
The border punches are from Martha Stewart. 

The Easter eggs are from my dear friend, Sandra. Thank you!!!



Have a nice Thursday!

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 27 February 2012

Second entry for Less is More


Hello lovely bloggers,

Here is another card I made with left overs of a previous creation... the leaves were just gathering dust on my table so I decided to use them.

I have used pearlised baby pink card stock which looks pretty different in the picture...


Rather simple card which does not need much explanation... 

I am going to submit this for Less is More - use your scraps

Am a big fan of Less is More - just after my heart and hands!!! Lol.

Hugs,

Monica

Award from dear Sandra

            



Hello sweet bloggers,

I am a bit late in posting this award from my dear friend, Sandra.
I am more than honoured to receive it and
thank you, Sandra! 

The LIEBSTER BLOG AWARD is used to show appreciation of smaller blogs (under 200 followers) and to help spread readership and joy.

As part of the tradition the award is to be passed along to five other blogs that have motivated and inspired me.

It comes from the German meaning Dearest or Beloved, but can also mean Favourite.



To accept the Award you must: 


1.  Link back to the persons blog who gave it to you, and thank them.
2.  Post it on your blog.
3.  Give to five other Bloggers who you appreciate and value.
4.  Leave a comment on the five blogs you choose and let them know.





I would like to nominate the following blogs for this award:







Have a nice Monday.

Hugs,

Monica