Hello

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my card to show you today made while I was drawing and colouring with Aleeza. Yes, we both made the same owl and this is what I drew and coloured with her. I was quite impressed with myself and how this card turned out. The diecut leaves are from Spellbinders while papers are from my stash, probably Bo Bunny. I so easily over look using designer papers on my cards and it is a wonder that I remembered. Lol. I touched up the owl with my loyal Sakura gold gel pen which NEVER fails to lift up what I have created. The tiny sequins you see on the left are from my stash. I have tried to distress the edges of the image and have sponged it too. The sentiment is handwritten with a Staedler marker. 

 Below is a closeup of the owl with gold touches.

I will enter my card in the following challenges:

http://www.2creativechicks.com/ - showcase really of anything

http://animalfriendschallenge.blogspot.de/ - animals

http://craftandsmash.blogspot.it/ - orange, yellow, kraft

Happy crafting,

Monica 

Just some random pictures

Hello sweet peeps,

It is summer hols and sometimes I wish I could run away to Starbucks with my computer and just be with me. Anyway, since I don't have a dog or a cat, I decided to marry, have a husband (who is a workaholic) and kids (who are lovely most of the time but I am not). I would have loved a cat or a dog but am not sure how I would handle their poop and pee schedules. I wish someone would give me a medal for being a stay at home mother. Lol.

Below is Aleeza with her drawing she copied from the Ipad. She thinks using an Ipad is the hippest thing on earth. Lol.

This  Mandala art work was done by Zeenya and it got special place in the Visual Arts Exhibit in school when she was in Grade 8. She is soon going to be entering Grade 10 and does not a wee bit of art. 

This was also done in Grade 8 by Zeenya.

Wish you a happy, healthy and above all an arty-crafty day,

Monica 

Thank You card

Hello bloggers,

Here is a card to show you today made and the butterfly has been fussy cut from a paper napkin after removing the two layers at the bottom. I went over it with my Cuttlebug over it to make it stay on the cardstock as it was a wee bit flimsy to stick on. 

I will enter this card in:

http://stampedblessings.com/amusing-challenge - anything goes

http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.sg/ - CAS challenge

http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes

I will come and visit you soon,

Monica 

It has been a long time

Hello sweet bloggers,

I sure have been away for the longest time. We were gone to an island called Lombok in Indonesia which is close to Bali. It was a lovely trip and I will post pictures soon. However towards the end of our trip, my older one and I had real sore throats and are still recovering from them. Beside that, it was glorious to to see the sea and just relax on the beach or by the pool.

I do hope you all have been well and enjoying card making.

Here is my card to show you which I made a while ago. It is simple and sweet I think and does not really require much explanation.

I will enter my card in the following challenges:

http://www.craftysentiments.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes

http://www.ttcrd.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes

http://craftingfromtheheartchallengeblog.blogspot.sg/ - always anything goes

I will come and visit soon,

Monica 

Choose happy

Hello sweet peeps,

Thank you for all your kind comments on my previous post and here I am to show you another card. The green striped paper is recycled from a magazine and the washi tape is from my stash. The dragonfly was sent to me by Sandra two or three years ago. Aleeza and I glittered it for fun. I cannot remember the name of the rubber stamp but I LOVE it.

Happy crafting,

Monica 

Hello there

Hello sweet bloggers,

Summer is here and schools are closed so it is out with routine and in with lazy mornings and such. 

Here is my card to show you today made with an image that I painted with my fingers a while ago while I was doing art with Aleeza. I cut the image out and stuck it on the leaves which have been punched on hand made paper from India. I have used a thick coat of glossy accents on the rose as there were tell tale glue stains on it. I know this rustic card did not need the addition of gloss however I had little choice to cover up my faux pas.

I will enter this in the following challenges:

http://suzypantssmarty.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes with a twist - only use two colours

http://greatimpressionsstamps.blogspot.sg - anything goes

http://avenue613.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes with rose and or pearls

Happy crafting,

Monica 

I love my new thinlets from Sizzix

Hello sweet peeps,

Here is a another quick card to show you today. I do hope the background is not too overpowering. It is a cloudy evening and I could not find enough natural light to take a clear picture.

Well, this card is mad with my new Sizzix thinlets and I have to say that I LOVE this font. The printed paper has been recycled from a magazine and the chevrons are from an Ek Success border punch that has been lying with me since ages.

I will enter my card in:

http://crafterscafeblogchallenge.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes

http://kraftinkimmiestamps.blogspot.ca/ - anything goes

Lots of art and craft for you,

Monica 

I am beginning to love blue

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my card to show you today with an image that I stamped a while ago. I think this the clear stamp is from a Hero Arts set. It has been coloured in with Lyra pencils and I have stuck tiny glass beads for the centres. The paper and embroidery yarn are from my stash and the sentiment is a store bought one.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.sg/ - blue

http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/ - dots and spots

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes

Wish you lots of arty-craftiness,

Monica 

Quick but cute

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a quickie from me to share with you today. The paper on this card has been recycled from the packaging material of a diary, I think. I have this habit of storing anything I find beautiful which I feel could be recycled so I am not able to keep a tab on its origins. The sweet bee is an image I bought at the book store in Jakarta. Quick and cute, right? Lol.

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

http://scrappers-delights-challenge-blog.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes

http://www.catchthebugblog.blogspot.sg/ - anything goes

Wish you a happy Sunday,

Monica 

Blue and white

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my card to show you made with an Inkadinkado stamp. I have stamped directly on to the cardstock and have used pearls to finish it off. Elegant, don't you think?

I will enter this card in the following challenges:

http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes 

http://www.allwayssomethingcreative.blogspot.sg/ - everything goes

http://pinkgemchallengeblog.blogspot.sg/ - something blue

Happy crafting,

Monica 

Hello

Hello sweet peeps,

Here is another card to show you made with the butterfly die that dear Sandra sent me quite a while ago. The Hello die cut was bought a few months ago from the craft shop here and it has been inaugurated on this card. The butterfly has been layered and and I have stuck glass beads on it and on the card as well. The papers are from my stash.

I will enter my card in the following challenges:

http://cupcakeinspirations.blogspot.sg/ - bugs and butterflies

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

Happy crafting,

Monica 

Smiling flowers

Hello bloggers,

Here is quick card to show you made with a Penny Black stamp and coloured with Prisma pencils and Marvy water colour brush markers. I have added liquid pearls in the centre of each flower for added interest and embroidery yarn to complete the card. And yes, distressed ink has been used and I have distressed the edges too.

I will enter my card in:

http://simplycreatetoo.blogspot.sg/ - keep it simple

http://simplypapercraftsforalloccassions.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes

Wish you a happy weekend,

Monica 

Getting cards together for the Nepal earthquake fund

Hello sweet peeps,

Here is a card to show you today and yes, it is TOTALLY flat and has no embellies at all. I asked my girls if they thought I should add buttons or such and they said it was fine. So fine it was. I had this image which I think is a Penny Black rubber stamp (coloured in with Lyras) lying with me for the longest time and Zeenya, my older one had distressed it something like three years ago or more. Since I am getting a sizeable collection ready to sell for the Nepal tragedy, I quickly put this one together. More than anything else, I am trying to make cards with the stuff that is ready inorder to declutter my art space.

I will submit this for the following challenges:
http://cardsgalorechallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - anything goes
http://natalieandamy.blogspot.co.uk/ - animals

Happy crafting,

Monica 

Hello there

Hello sweet peeps,

Here is my card to show you for today made from nesties which were given to very lovingly by someone. The sentiment is handwritten and I have embossed both the card and the two nesties. 

Down below are pictures of the card making table that some mums and I manned for the Art Week in school. The art teacher got everything in place and I do really appreciate her love for cardmaking. 

The kids having fun.

A card in action.

This card had such a sweet sentiment and I had to share it.

 

Until next time,

Monica 

Happy to sell three cards for the Nepal earthquake

Hello sweet bloggers,

I have good news to share about the sale of three cards for the Nepal earthquake fund. One of the ladies who lives in our condominium came for an angel therapy session (yes, I have started giving angel card readings) and she spontaneously bought three cards from me. How nice is that!!!

Here is another card that may fit the bill for CAS(E) this Sketch if the challenge is still open. The flowers are from Japan and the embossing folder is a new one. I fell in love with it at the first sight, you know. The metallic pearly paper was actually a wedding card and it was too special to throw away so I saved it and used it here. The embossed sentiment is from a set of small embossing folders. Somehow adding a sentiment gives more balance to a card.  

I photographed this tile from my kids' earlier school. I think it was a middle or high schooler who made this in art. I loved it so much.

Thank you for not giving up on me,

Monica 

Second entry for CAS(E) this Sketch

Hello sweet bloggers,

Come what may, I said to myself, blog I will and so here I am. This card is pretty much recycled as the embossed thank you and the silver check paper is the packaging of a perfume bottle. I added a big rhine stone and drew silver dots with my Sakura gel pen. 

This is my second entry for CAS(E) this Sketch as I love the sketch no end.

I found this flower smiling at me. It is quite common here but I could not resist a picture.

See you later,

Monica 

For CAS(E) this Sketch

Hello bloggers,

Yes, I actually got time to do crafting yesterday and today. Hooray for that and it did wonders to me. Ofcourse I made sure I was wearing my long sighted glasses to see clearly. Lol.  This wedding card is for CAS(E) this Sketch and trust me the embossed sentiment is on metallic white paper but it seems to have taken on a whole new colour in the photo. It looks quite pretty in real life. The tiny white roses are from Japan and I have added a little bow beneath to highlight them. The pearls finish it off nicely, I thought.

Wish you health, peace, love and sunshine,

Monica 

Hello there

Hello sweet  bloggers,

This is my second attempt to post this card as I lost all the text and the photo as well the first time. Well, this card is simple and sweet and my older one was not too impressed with the hearts I have used around the image. I know I could have done better but sometimes that is how it is. You know what I mean, right? Lol. The image is a Penny Black one and I have coloured it with my Lyra pencils long, long ago before I actually acquired my Prismas. The sentiment is from Hero Arts and the little beads that represent the fizz from the glasses. 

I wish you a lovely morning, afternoon, or evening where ever you are,

Monica 

A quick card

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a card I made for one of my daughter's friends but she chose the soccer card over it.

I have sponged in the stencil with distressed inks and have used stickers and candy and my card was done. I thought I would be creative with the backdrop but maybe I should have used something else.

Wish you a happy day,

Monica 

Japan was lovely

Hello sweet bloggers,

I sure have been away for the longest time I think. We were on a week's vacation to Tokyo and Kyoto and it was just beautiful. I was struck with the elegance and charm of Kyoto and it's beautiful Buddhist temples more than anything else. I found grace and charm every where I went and indeed it was a transformational trip for me. I even got to sit and meditate in one of the temples so next time I am missing you know where to find me. Just kidding there, lol.

Down below are some snapshots of  the cherry blossoms and the temples we visited in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Close up of a Sakura bloom.

A cherry blossom tree in full bloom.

This a real flower - I couldn't help but take a picture.

A family picture with an elegant Japanese sales lady in a store

A lady dressed up as a Geisha.

Down below is my hand made tissue paper Sakura made while we were waiting for the bus to take us home from a pretty park.

A real stunning golden temple

These two pictures are my doodles in a restaurant on the disposable paper mat - sorry for the picture quality.

The Goddess of Mercy temple below.

This is the entrance to another temple

I promise to come and visit you soon,

Monica 

For a basket ball lover

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my card to show you which was made for my older one's school friend. He is a basketball player and I was lucky enough to receive these clear stamps from a very kind lady who lives in our block. They just were exactly what I was looking for. I have done faux tacking around the stamped nestie with a metallic pen which gives it more colour. My daughter did not want a sentiment which was just as well for me.

Below is my little one's unedited recipe of a banana cake which I found so cute that I had to share it. As you can see, squishing is all that is required and voila the cake is ready. Lol.

I will try and do some visiting now,

Monica 

This card took us five minutes to make

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a super quick card that Aleeza and I made for an eight year old's birthday in five minutes just before her bed time on a week day. She chose the image from my stash and we glittered the edges and the flower which is not really visible in the picture. For the flower centre a button came in handy while the sentiment is from my stash. 

My card seems to fit the sketch over at CAS(e) this Sketch or so I hope. Lol.

Wish you a wonderful Sunday,

Monica 

For CAS(e) this sketch and LIM

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is my card for CAS(e) this Sketch  and LIM this week and I do hope you like it. 

The flowers are hand made by me and the Spellbinder leaves (die cut from a cake box) have been sponged with distressed ink. The sentiment is store bought and the background leaves are from my balcony - am trying to get creative with my photography skills. Lol.

Wish you a happy Sunday,

Monica

I am back

Hello sweet bloggers,

I am sorry to be missing for such a long while and I have to say that I missed blogging. We were away to a pretty island called Batam in Indonesia for a night last week as you will see from the pictures. It was just an hour-long boat ride away. Sadly, it was polluted with oil and strong smell yet the scenic beauty was divine.

Here is a card I made a few days ago. I think it is a Penny Black stamp that I bought a few years ago but have used it the very first time on this card. All the embellies here are from my stash.

Below is a picture taken while we were on the boat to the island

This is the view of the ocean from the lobby of the resort we stayed in

The picture down below is that of sunrise from the beach

Life is beautiful

Hello sweet bloggers,

Here is a card to show to show you today which I stamped like over a year ago and let it be coz' I did not know what to do with it. And last night, I found that this pretty polka dotted ribbon from American Craft matches nicely with it. I think it is an Itty Bitty Unity stamp and I have used a metallic Brilliance stamp pad to stamp it. I could have added liquid pearls or something to liven it up but my older one felt it was fine the way it was, so here it is. By the way, the sentiment was part of the same stamp and that suits me just fine considering my cards are mostly sentiment free. 

Wish you a happy Sunday,

Monica

This makes me happy

Hello sweet peeps,

Thank you for your kind words on my last post and here is my card to show you today which I actually stamped and coloured while I was at the Botanic Gardens on Saturday afternoon. 

I know I could have done better but can you believe it that I forgot to take the acrylic block with me and had to use the acetate sheet alone to stamp. I took a few Prisma pencils along to colour and came back home and put my simple beauty together. Yes, no ribbon, no bling, no nothing - just a flat, very flat card.

I will enter this card in the challenge hosted by LIM this week which is about 'what makes you happy' and this stamp with poppies (from Hero Arts, I think) sure makes me happy. 

Off to do some commenting now,

Monica