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 

I am on a hiatus

 Dear sweet bloggers,

I know I haven't done a post in a while now, say a few months and the reason is, well, the reasons are many. One of them is that I have been blogging since 2010 and it seems a bit mundane. 

A little bit about how blogging helped me heal my pain when my Dad passed away after a long battle with cancer which lasted over 6 years. 

To be honest, he did not die because of cancer, it was the chemo that made him utterly and totally weak. When he left, it was a kind of a blessing, if you know what I mean. Seeing him turn into the state that he was - all bones and so weak, moody and totally dependant (on diapers and bedridden). He had to be fed every meal and I give my mum much credit for taking such good care of him so patiently. My brother and sister in law also did their bit during Dad's last year for which I am very grateful. 

I don't know why I am sharing all that I am. Sometimes, we just gotta surrender to the keyboard and cursor and allow it to lead us. That is exactly what I did just now.

Coming back to the gist of this post, I seem to be a little done with blogging. It doesn't mean that I am not grateful for all that I have learnt in blog land. The love, kindness and sharing that I have experienced here are one of a kind and I am indeed very lucky. 

Most of my regular followers seem to have left blogging and that also makes me miss them and I kind of feel lost here. I seem to be wanting to explore new pastures such as my guided meditation workshops which are doing well. The other new thing that is coming together is my plan to teach cardmaking to the ladies at the shelter that I support with the sale of my greeting cards. My health condition has taught me much about healing oneself with diet and nutrition which tempts me to do something related to that field.

I am on a hiatus till I make up my mind about continuing with blogging or starting something new to share my ideas.  

I do share my ideas, thoughts and creations on Facebook though. 

My Facebook link is https://www.facebook.com/monica.kapoor.988 

Do visit or follow me to know more about what I am up to.

Until then I wish you peace, health and abundance,

Monica 

Partly recycled - SMILE

Hello dear bloggers,

I wish you a very happy, healthy and sparkly new year. May it fill us all with good health and may there be plenty of love and peace in the world. 

Here is a card that has been made with gift wrap and packaging material. The pretty cotton ribbon is from my stash. The sentiment has been diecut with the same kraft packaging material. As some of you may know, I am a Queen of recycling and take great pride in upcycling. 

 I will participate in the following challenges:

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://creationsinpink.blogspot.com/ - mostly pink

Monica 

Christmas Card

Dear bloggers,

I was lucky to get an order for five Christmas cards two days ago. As you may be aware, I raise funds for a shelter that houses abused women in Singapore through the sale of my cards.

 The popped up ornament here was bought in Sydney many years ago and I layered it on to a nestie under which was stuck corrugated cardboard. A gold cord was tied on the top of the bauble and it was carefully stuck at the back. A layer of washi in gold and the picture was complete. This simple beauty was much appreciated.

 I will enter in the following challenges with this card:

https://festivefridaychallenge.com/ - anything goes

https://christmasblogchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything Christmas

https://trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - Christmas

Monica 

Partly recycled

Dear bloggers,

I have used fancy gift wrap on this card that came from a very special person so full of kindness and compassion. Cotton lace, matching pink ribbon and a die cut sentiment completed the show. I do believe in simplicity and this card bears testimony to that belief. 

 I will participate in the following challenges with this card:

http://intaas.blogspot.com/ - use a bow

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

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

http://yournextstamp.com/blog/ - looking for a bow

https://polkadoodle.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