Window sill with flowers

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my window card to show you today. I have had this die since 2013 and am glad that it has come out of the closet at last.

The big flowers were made by me many years ago. In fact, they are much older than the die. I punched the smaller ones and added them to make a cluster along with the tiny leaves. I have to say it took me a rather long time to get them all together in this arrangement.

The brick stencil in the background has been coloured with an eye shadow and I have used a Prisma pencil to fix the colour.

I will enter the following challenges with this card:

http://angiesdigitalstamps.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - flowers

http://justusgirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - frame it

http://mytimetocraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - summertime

Monica 

You are berry kind

Dear bloggers,

Here is my card for CAS(E) this Sketch this week. The wee little strawberry image mounted on the red printed round serrated nestie was sent to me by Shirley Anne many years ago when we lived in Jakarta, Indonesia. I die cut two round red nesties to achieve the round border and the sponged cardstock was lying in my box of 'to be used' stuff. The sentiment was handwritten on a banner. The two tiny flowers on the right are from a longer border punch by Martha Stewart.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com/ - berries

https://crafterscastle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

CAS(E) this sketch - sketch

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

Sending love to you

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is lots of love coming your way from this little birdie. I bought this Hero Arts stamp more than 10 years ago when we used to live in Indonesia. It has been used but once, I think. It seemed to fit in well with this card. The pink border has been punched with a mini Carla craft punch on pearlized pink paper that I bought from Paddy's market in Sydney more than a decade ago. 

The mini heart punch was placed carefully keeping an equal distance on the paper before making a border. Those were the days when I did not possess border punches. I embossed a little strip of white cardstock for added interest.

Would love to know what you think of this little beauty?

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

http://daringcardmakers.blogspot.com/ - wing it

https://pattiescreationschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://laviniaworldchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with rubber/clear stamps

http://movingalongwiththetimes.blogspot.com/ - things with wings

Monica 

Round and round

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is my card to show you made with scraps lying around on my round craft table which does make me go round and round. And that makes it fun. Lol. 

The yellow pieces of round paper are scraps while the white one was specially die cut without any specific thought and it all seemed to fit together. 

The sentiment has been die cut and the black underlay beneath the 'smile' is a piece of recycled paper.

I hope my simple, sunny 'smile' card brings a smile on your face.

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ - sunshine

http://paperfundaychallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes/optional twist, masculine

http://unicornchallenge.blogspot.com/ - masculine

Monica 

Blogland is berry sweet

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card to show you today which is sentiment free as well as the cards I sell seem to do better this way. Of course the sentiments I possess are limited and much as the ones going around are really "berry" sweet, I am quite happy with what I have. 

Back to this strawberry which has bee die cut with a Sizzix die and I die cut the red and green paper twice for greater dimension and propped it on corrugated cardboard. There are three nesties under the strawberry which have been cut manually so it did take some time and I embossed the first one.

 I think I do like the clean look of this card. 

I am happy to share that my 100% recycled card shown below won the second prize over at Crafter's Cafe. Feeling good!!! I do get honourable mentions and do win challenges sometimes but the joy of blogging is far beyond these wins. So often I don't check or even post the badge if I have. And I have to learn how to use the widgets etc. 

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com/ - code word 'berry'

https://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - dots/anything goes

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - always anything goes

Monica 

Sending sunny sunflowers for strength

Hello dear bloggers,

I have noticed one blessing during Covid which is that I am able to blog more often. I was almost considering getting out of blogging and switching to Facebook. However, I realized that blogging is therapeutic as the interaction is more realistic and there is a certain amount of writing involved here which makes it a relaxing experience.

This is indeed a very sunny card... and it is dedicated to all those going through challenging times - races, communities and countries. I wish them sunshine and may they come out of this phase calmer and stronger. May humanity prevail.

The background has been made with a stencil and it has been lying with me for years. I had this yellow window from another card and everything came together after Zeenya, my older one, helped me choose these beautiful sunflowers from my stash. I had bought them from a craft store in the UK in Shropshire. That was in 2013! 

The sentiment is store bought. I quite like the happy vibe of this card.

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ - patterned paper or create your own

https://thecardconcept.blogspot.com/ - bright florals

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://artsystamperchallenge.blogspot.com/ - black / white and one colour

https://jansdigistampschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ - make your own background

Monica 

10 years of blogging and a happy card to celebrate

Dear lovely bloggers,

Honestly, it is a long, long time since I have expressed gratitude to my blog and you lovely souls who come and visit me, leaving such beautiful words for me. Thank you for it means the world to me. It makes up for so much else, you know. 

I remember when I was just two-three-four years into blogging, I used to consistently express my gratitude but over the years it became a thing of the past. 

I have completed 10 years of blogging this year in May and it all started when my dad passed away in 2010 and a close friend suggested that I start something related to writing. Blogging about my cards is what I could think of. My cards were so, so, so simple in them days and I am still learning so much from all of you. Yet I feel I have come quite a long way. 

Thank you so much for all your help and support in every which way. I still have the supplies you sent me since some of you sent me a lifetime of them. Papers, stamps, embellies, paper cutter, your name it and I have it. Of course the hoarding continues...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Now to my card which has been made with washi tape and a stamp by seven gypises. Yes, I remembered the name of the stamp after making a conscious decision to do so. The washi tapes took a while to be aligned since they were eight of them. Apart from that, it was a joy to make this card. I have tried to match the challenge at Addicted to CAS which is "Rainbow".

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

https://www.thehousethatstampsbuilt.com/ - house that stamps built

http://lilredwagon.blogspot.com/ - line it up

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cardz4guyz.blogspot.com/ - card for guys

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/ - boys
http://unikostudio.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Until my next post,

Monica 

Water colour squares

Hello dear bloggers,

I hope you are staying healthy and happy where ever you are. Here is my card to show you today. The shades of green were achieved with cling wrap and water colour pencils on water colour paper.  This is a pretty self explanatory card as you can see. 

The smile is die cut with a rhinestone on the dot. 

The brain behind this whole design was Aleeza and I am glad that I remembered to own that up. Lol.

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/  - anything goes
http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
https://colormyheartcolordare.blogspot.com - monochrome green
http://qkrstampede.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
https://creativecraftcottage.blogspot.com/ - make it masculine
https://cccdigicreations.blogspot.com/ - for the men/boys


Monica

My new horse die

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card made with the new horse die that has been lying with me since last November. I finally realized that the best way was to use black paper. Underneath is a little shadow of kraft which is what I used earlier to die cut the horse. It lay around for months and finally black it was.

Washi tape from my stock was used to match the kraft die cut and I think it somehow it manages to match with the black die cut.

I would be more than happy to receive tips on how to use this die which I picked up on ebay most excited.

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/ - black and white

Monica 

Have a great day!

Hello sweet peeps,

Here is my card to show you today. It has been made with fancy gift wrap that I bought in Sydney many, many years ago from a very unique store that sold home crafted art objects. Some ribbon and an oval nestie with a sentiment from Hero Arts and yes - my card was all dressed up. 

https://www.simplyellibelle.com/ - feminine

https://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ - happy birthday

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftysentiments.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

Fancy gift wrap plus embossed

 Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card I have made out of fancy gift wrap which has been lying with me since Zeenya was three and now she is 20. I stuck it on thicker card stock and let an embossing folder go over it. It looks quite shiny and nice in real life. All these cards are being added to my collection of cards to sell for the shelter that houses abused women.

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://angiesdigitalstamps.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with patterned paper

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica

Sparkle!!!

Hi bloggers,

Here is a card that is partly recycled yet again. I have used a very old piece of wallpaper sample (19 years and over if you want to know) to die cut the butterflies. 

Over the butterflies, a Sakura gel pen was used to give a special effect. 

I had to cover a faux pas hence the rose gold washi tape (bought from Typo - an Australian stationery chain of stores that is much loved by teens). The sentiment is also a washi tape.

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

https://aaabirthday.blogspot.com/ - dots and stripes

http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/ - things with wings
http://lilpatchofcraftyfriends.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://craftycalendarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - add a butterfly

http://snarkystampers.blogspot.com/ - upcycle

Monica 

Partly recycled/ Dream

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is my card to show you today which is partially recycled. The background has been made with sparkly Camlin pastel crayons and it looks quite pretty in real life. This is the best I could get with the camera. The rose has been die cut from an Altenew die and I have used watercolour paper to cut it. I have used Camlin brush markers and an acetate sheet to achieve this effect on the roses. One of the layers had a coating of glitter glue and I chose to go for it.  

The green leaves have been die cut from the packaging of an old perfume bottle. It is a form of pearlized pistachio or something similar. The sentiment is a washi tape, which I simply love.

I will participate in the following challenges with my card:

https://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cutitupchallenges.blogspot.com/ - diecuts, our beautiful earth

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
https://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - make your own flower/embellie

Monica 

I love feathers

Hello sweet peeps,

I made this card a few years ago, maybe in 2018 when Zeenya my older one graduated from school. 

I don't think I have posted this one so far. I really like the way it turned out. 

This is my fave feather die and I have used the famous smoosh technique with water colours here. The sequins are from my stash. I bought them when we lived in Mumbai, from a tiny little craft shop that had the sweetest craft supplies.  

http://southerngirlschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://diesruschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://challengeleannsworld101.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Happy card making,

Monica 

Have a great day!

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card that my mum made. She hand drew it and coloured it with markers. I went over the image and flowers with glitter and it looks quite bright and sparkly in real life. 

All I did was stamp the sentiment and put washi tape on the right to cover some faux pas. Bright and cheerful and may it bring joy to our lives very soon.

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://aaabirthday.blogspot.com/ - birthday card, dots and / stripes

https://artsystamperchallenge.blogspot.com/ - things with wings

https://craftinghappinesschallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ - add flowers

Happy card making,

Monica 

The key...

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card I made a while ago. I have used Camlin brush markers from India to create this smoosh like effect. The key has been die cut from a fancy brochure. The sentiment has been stamped with black Stazon. 

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://digichoosday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://ikesworldchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - anything goes

Happy card making,

Monica 

All blue

Hello dear bloggers, 

Here is a quick card to show you. I have used a cling stamp with a border and a distressed ink was used to sponge the edges. Some parts of the sentiment were coloured with a blue Sakura gel pen. I have used corrugated packaging under the blue stamped card stock and the corners have been rounded off. Simple and ready to go in the post if needed.

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

Arty Divas - anything goes

http://lemonshortbreadchallenge.blogspot.com/ - always anything goes

http://mybestiesspanishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Happy cardmaking,

Monica 

Hello plus too much gloss

Hello dear bloggers,

This card was made many years ago but something went amiss with the glossy accents and there was an overdose of it on the stencilled flower. The card stock got warped and I stuck another one under it. Yet the layer of glossy accent was too strong. The sentiment is a die cut from a set of Sizzix dies.

I am not sure whether I should even post this card since the sponging is a bit messy to add to it. The flower centre looks quite pretty in real life with the little dots I made with a blue metallic Sakura gel pen.

For the backdrop, I have used a sheet from last year's Singapore Airlines desk calender. I think that is the cool part of this photo. 

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://happylittlestampers.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with dies

https://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativecrafterschallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Happy card making,

Monica 

Hand printed paper from India

Dear sweet bloggers,

This card was made with hand printed paper from India and it looks really pretty in real life. 

The shiny washi tape is also from India. 

It took me a while to stick the washi tape as it was one of those that was pretty strong minded when it comes to sticking. Lol.

https://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ anything goes
http://craftyhazelnutspatternedpaper.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with patterned paper
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
https://lovetoscrapchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes



Wishes of health and well being,

Monica 

Water coloured bird

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is my card to show you made from a Youtube video. I have used Pentel water colour tubes to colour the bird and the cherry blossoms. 

The red paper under the white paper is actually packaging material from a canvas.

I will enter this card in the following:

https://colourcrazychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything colour goes

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

https://creativefingerschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - always anything goes

https://polkadoodle.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Happy card making,

Monica