Back after a gap

 Dear bloggers,

I have been on a break from blogging but definitely not from card making. I have been quite busy making lots of cards. I just parcelled a batch of 15 cards to a close friend in Melbourne who used to live in Jakarta. This lady was kind enough to buy my cards to help me raise funds for scholarships to educate Indonesian children in primary and secondary school. I was lucky enough to donate the money through the ANZA (Australia New Zealand Association) to support financially challenged children. 

The other good news is that I have been invited by the SCWO (Singapore Council of Women's Organizations) to celebrate National Day by conducting a card making for the residents of the shelter that I support. 

The card down below was one of the 15 cards I made for my friend. Indeed, it was a joyous experience to make cards for such a lovely friend. The balloons on this card have been die cut using packaging material.

 I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

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

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ - feminine

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

Monica 

Choose happy

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card I made for a dear friend whose birthday we celebrated during our previous United World Sanctuary meeting. I put up a birthday banner, two of the ladies got cake and the rest of us got gifts for the birthday girl and it was indeed an afternoon well spent.

We also watched a talk by Eckart Toile and did a meditation on the dining table before we ate lunch. The food did taste nicer after that - honestly.

Coming back to this card, a simple one but bright and surely a happy one.

 I will enter this card in the following challenges:

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

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

https://laviniaworldchallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with stamping

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

arty divas - anything goes

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

Monica

Happy Birthday for a male

Hello dear bloggers,

Blogging has taken a back seat as I try my best to recover, eat healthy and exercise. 

Here is a card to show you today which has die cut candles on it. The candles were cut with watercolour paper which was treated with pearlised watercolour gel crayons from India. I do like the effect here. 

The sentiment was embossed using a part of an embossing folder and I have popped it up on corrugated cardboard. I have used similar coloured washi tape as those in the candles for added interest. A clean and simple card!

 I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

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

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

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with optional twist - critter

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

Monica 

Comissioned happy birthday card

Dear sweet bloggers,

Here is a commissioned card made with a Penny Black rubber stamp. I stamped the image many years ago when I was still learning how to colour in and somehow was not too impressed with the colouring.

I have paper pieced the baker's cap and had to cover an ink mark with the pink hand tied bow. The designer paper is from a local Singapore brand and I do so like it even though it is a tad formal for the cute image. I have used ribbon on the right with a printed sentiment on it.

The lady who ordered it wanted me to make something related to baking for her friend who is a baker. So I thought this card was perfect. 

 I will take part in the following challenges:

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

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

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

http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/ - girl power 

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

https://www.welovechocolatebaroque.uk/ - anything goes

Monica 

Masculine card

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is a card made with a birthday embossing folder, die cut balloons and baker's twine. The balloons have been popped up on thick cardboard.  

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with optional twist hats

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

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

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

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

Monica 

Commissioned card for an 80th birthday

Hello bloggers,

Someone asked me to make a card for a man's 80th and this man loves golf. So this is what I turned out with Japanese embellies bought in Indonesia many years ago. After sticking them on, I realized that the cost of the embellies was far more than the price I offered. Never mind. The paper inside the reverse of the white nestie is pearlized blue. It looks like a shop window to me. Aleeza helped greatly with the layout and the embossing as well as the sentiment. She advised that I don't put the numbers to make the recipient feel young. Lol. 

I will participate in the following challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - anything goes/ winged things

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

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

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

http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - embossing

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

Monica 

Happy Birthday card by Aleeza

 Hello dear bloggers,

This card was made by Aleeza, my younger one who is 12. She locked herself in her room while I was busy in my own craft space and gave me strict instructions not to come into her room. Finally, when she did come out, this is what she had in her hand. She made the ice-cream cone on her own and fussy cut it after colouring it in with Lyra pencils. 

The sentiment was handwritten as well and a strip of washi tape was stuck at the bottom.

I thought Aleeza did a pretty good job on this one.

I will enter the following challenges with this card:

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

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

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

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

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

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

http://letscreatechallenges.blogspot.com/ - paper strips instead of ribbon

Monica

For my mum's 80th birthday

Hello dear bloggers,

Today is my mum's 80th birthday and I am so grateful for her. She is one of the kindest, wisest and funniest people all rolled into one person, not to mention how young at heart she is. I made this card at 5 am this morning for her. She lives in India while we are in Singapore. I am waiting patiently to give it in person to her.

The background of this card has been made with Camlin gel crayons which are sparkly so it really looks nice in real life. The roses have been die cut using Alte New rose dies and the leaves have been cut using a Spellbinder die from a set. The papers that have been used to die cut the roses and leaves have been coloured with acrylics and watercolours respectively. I have used scraps of water colour paper for the leaves.  The numericals have been die cut as well. I sent the photo of the card to my mum and she really liked it.

 

I will participate in the following challenges:

http://seizethebirthday.blogspot.com/ - birthday + optional topping scraps

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ - lots of layers

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - occasions

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

http://everybody-art-challenge.blogspot.com/ - numbers

http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/ - girl power

https://stampsfun-creativity.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

Monica 

You're Tea-rrific

 Dear bloggers,

This card has been made with a Kaiser Craft clear stamp and I have coloured it in with two shades of Prismas. 

The flower with a little rhinestone in the centre was made by me many years ago and it seemed to fit in nicely. 

The leaves have been punched and were coloured with green food colour. 

The ' you are Tea-rrific' sentiment is part of the stamp while the 'happy birthday' sentiment has been handwritten. 

I rested the first Spellbinder nestie on another one for more interest.

I will participate in the following challenges:

Arty Divas: anything goes

http://cascoloursandsketches.blogspot.com/ - sketch

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

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

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

http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/ - girl power

https://stampsfun-creativity.blogspot.com/ - everything goes

Monica 

Happy Birthday

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a card to show you which has been made with snippets lying on my table. The designer paper is a Singapore brand while the embossing folder is a Tim Holtz one. The baker's twine and ribbon are from my stash. The gifts were propped on thick cardboard to give them dimension. The sentiment is handwritten and yes, the thin white strip right on top the card was stuck to hide a boo boo.

 I will take part in the following challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - anything goes/option wings

https://aaacards.blogspot.com/ - one corner + optional twist

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

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

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

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

Monica 

For CAS(E) this Sketch

Hello dear bloggers,

This card has been made for the weekly challenge at Case this Sketch . The two rectangular strips were stencilled and embossed with homemade embossing paste and a few distress inks were used over it. The die cut flowers were coloured with Camlin brush markers using smoosh. The sentiment is handwritten.

 I will take part in the following challenges:

https://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - anything goes / option - use a charm

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ -birthday

http://intaas.blogspot.com/ - autumn colours

http://welove2create.blogspot.com/ - anything creative/ mixed media goes

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ - autumn colours

http://craftyfriendschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - autumn

Monica 

Balloons

Dear bloggers,

Here is a card I have made with a Sizzix 3D embossing folder which I have sponged with Pistachio distress ink. I have so many embossing folders and could certainly do with more ideas as to how to use them. Since I like to make cards and sell/donate them to charity, I do like numbers. So long winded, time consuming cards are not for me, to be honest. Whenever I use an embossing folder, it looks so pretty and it is so tempting to leave it just embossed or maybe with a sentiment. Yet, I know in blog land, that may be too simple to display. Back to the card, the balloons have been die cut and embroidery yarn has been tied around them in a knot. I let the die cut sentiment cover the strings of the balloons so that they would not fly. Lol.

 I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

http://disdigidesignschallenge.blogspot.com/ - make it masculine

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

http://throughthepurplehazechallenges.blogspot.com/ - anything goes/ stitching, real or faux

Monica 

Happy Birthday

Dear bloggers,

Here is a card that I finished off today after it lay for some weeks on my art table. And don't ask what all lies there!!! 

The designer paper was sent to me several years ago by a blogger named Terry who doesn't blog any more.  The fan has been die cut using a yoghurt lid. The Happy Birthday has been heat embossed with silver embossing powder on to hand torn strip of vellum. I stuck a narrow piece of white cardstock under the vellum to highlight the sentiment. In real life, the sentiment looks quite nice and shiny. The pearls as you may guess, were added to cover up the glue marks which actually were not really visible. However, I wanted to play it safe.

I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

http://carabbiemomentsofcraft.blogspot.com/ - anything goes/funny

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

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

Monica

For CAS(E) this Sketch

Hello dear bloggers,

Here is my take on the sketch at CAS(E) this Sketch for this week. 

The bubble wrap on the left has been stamped using a clear acrylic stamp pad and two different metallic stamp pads at the same time. I wish I could have taken a better picture to show you the metallic touch in the washi tapes. All the rest is Washi and my love of it except the brownish gold in the centre which is a kind of a ribbon. The sentiment is from my stash. 

 I will enter in the following challenges:

http://welove2create.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

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

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com/ - incorporate things you love (Washi for me)

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

http://challengeupyourlife.blogspot.com/ - autumn mood

Monica 

Happy Birthday

Dear bloggers,

Here is a card to show you today with a die cut sentiment and eight layers of washi tape. It was quite an art to stick the dots together to align them. I think the camera shook a wee bit. Apologies for that.

 

I will take part in the following challenges:

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

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

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

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

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

Monica 

Embossed stencil

 Hello bloggers,

I embossed this piece of cardstock using a stencil many years ago. Since I was not impressed with the watercolour pencil work, it just lay around and waited patiently. One fine day, my daughter, Aleeza placed it on to a base card that was painted over with orange acrylics. She even arranged a die cut sentiment on it. When I saw it all coming together so nicely, I finally stuck it and this is the final result.

I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

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

https://audsentimentschallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - anything goes with a sentiment

http://daranddiane.blogspot.com/ - lots of colour

https://modsquadchallenge.com/step-up-your-stencil/ - stencil and embellish it 

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

Monica 

Happy BIrthday Card by Aleeza

Hello dear bloggers,

My younger one who is 12 often collaborates with me and we land up making fun cards. The top layer of the card here is TOTALLY her creation. She painted the flourishes with Camlin watercolour brush markers from India and wrote the sentiment with a black permanent marker. I layered another piece of cardstock underneath after painting the edges with a matching brush marker. Glitter pens were used to go over the squiggles and they look quite sparkly in real life.

 I will enter this card in the following challenges:

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

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

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

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ - sentiment as the main focus

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

Monica 

It's your Day!

Hello dear bloggers,

I smooshed the back of a thick cardboard coaster with neon Mala paints, embossed it and stuck the ice cream image on. 

The ice cream image was sent by a very dear blogger friend, Sandra Baldwin many years ago when we lived in Indonesia which makes it over 8-9 years ago. 

The sentiment is a die cut one and a black piece of cardstock was stuck under the round coaster to bring out the brightness. You may need sunglasses to view this card.

 I will participate in the following challenges:

http://welove2create.blogspot.com/ - anything goes

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

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

http://blog.dare2bartzy.com/tag/challenge/ - dare to be artsy

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

Monica 

Happy Birthday

 

Hello dear bloggers,

The die cut sentiment with the wreath around it has been cut using a lid made of foil. The background was created with distress inks with Smoosh technique. The washi tape is from my stash. 

I will participate in the following challenges:

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

Simplyellibelle - anything starting with the letter b

http://thesisterhoodofcrafters.blogspot.com/ - sentiment as focus

https://watercoolerchallenges.blogspot.com/ - occasions

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

https://stampsfun-creativity.blogspot.com/ - lavender or purple

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

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

Monica 

Water coloured butterfly

Hello dear bloggers,

The butterfly has been die cut from paper that I smooshed with Pentel watercolours. Embossing with the addition of a sentiment and it was done. I know this is a popular layout but it really appeals to me. 

 

I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

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

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

http://dragonflydreamschallenges.blogspot.com/ anything goes

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

Monica