Saturday 27 August 2011

My very own designer paper!!!

Hello bloggers,

Saturday is here at last... there is celebration in the air here because Idul Fitri is almost here. 
Happy Idul Fitri to all my friends who celebrate it. May it bring cheer, good health and peace to you and yours.

Here is a card I made last night and it took me forever to match the embellies. Peach is a colour that I don't work much with though I do think it is lovely.




Supplies:

Base cardstock - dual shaded beige
Designer paper - created with Hero Arts designer block, stamped with blush (American Crafts)
Peach paper - from a paper ribbon
Flower - handmade by me on the spot and distressed with clay (American Crafts)
Leaves - from MS border punch (scrap lying on my table)
Pot - die cut from Sizzix using hand made paper, distressed with Tim Holtz old paper
Border punch - MS
Corner punch - Carla craft 
Crushed ribbon  - from my top!!!
Sentiment - handwritten with a slight change in writing


Aren't you impressed with the designer paper?

I am quite pleased with the way this card turned out eventually. Hope you like it as well.


I am going to submit this card for the following challenges:

http://www.sewmanychallenges.com/ - edge punch
http://jellyparkchallenges.blogspot.com/ - punches or die cuts
http://www.phindysplacechallenge.blogspot.com/ - make your own embellishments



Hugs,
Monica

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Started my new batch of charity cards for Japan Red cross!

Hello bloggers,

Hope you all are well and happily crafting away.

I have some good news to share - I have sold 9 cards from my new batch of cards which I am making for Japan Red cross again. 

Below are two cards I made with the same cupcake stamp. 


Supplies:

Base card stock - pale green
Pale lemon card stock embossed with Cuttlebug and distressed with crushed olive and wild honey
Stamp - cake stamp with sentiment from Hampton stamps
Glitter - around border of card stock with cupcake stamp as well as some of the embossed cup cakes (could not picture that too well) 
Sakura metallic pens - to colour the cake stamp and on the embossed ones (cannot be seen)
Cord - from my stash and dyed with the same distress inks




Supplies:

Card stock - dual tone mocha
Designer paper - from Terry's blog candy
Brown card stock - embossed with Cuttlebug and touched with Sakura gold pen
Stamp - same one as above and coloured with Sakura gold pen as well
Tea pots -punched from scraps on my table (stuck ribbon and paper under the teapots)
Rose - hand made by me
Leaves - from Carla craft punch and embossed with Cuttlebug
Ribbon and mosaic - from my stash

They are rather simple cards but I like the first one more than the second. What do you feel?


I am going to enter the first card in Michelle's Make it Monday Linky Party.

Hugs,

Monica



Sunday 21 August 2011

Get well soon card for Ryan

Hello bloggers,

Hope you are all well and enjoying crafting.

I am sorry that some of you had trouble leaving a comment on my last post... the reason being not blogger but me, duh!!! I accidentally clicked hid on the comment button. Anyway had clicked on the right button and saved it.

Here is a card I made last night for Less is More, the theme being 'something that moves'.

I am going to be sending it for crafty Linby's brother's friend, Ryan who has had a pretty serious accident.

I hope he is in a better state by the time the card reaches him ( will take a month... yes, that long ).





Close-up of the imae - the glitter still doesn't show




My precious, precious Pahua shells

Supplies:

Card base - white card stock
Designer paper - from Terry's blog candy
Stamp - owl with matching sentiment ( kind courtesy Sandra ) on white card stock
Heat embossing - with shiny black embossing powder
Stamp colouring - with pearlised chalks and Sakura glitter pen
Branch under the owl - hand drawn and coloured with Sakura glitter pen ( did you know that I could draw? )
Sentiment - heat embossed as well
Distressing on edges - faded jeans
Shells - Pahua shells bought when I visited New Zealand ( hoarding them for years! )

Do tell me what you think of it...

Hugs,

Monica


Saturday 20 August 2011

Card for boys


Hello bloggers,

Hope you are having a decent weekend...
Here is a card I made last night after Aleeza went to bed...



Supplies:

Base card stock - pale blue
Stamp - Hero Arts stamped on hand torn white card stock and coloured in with Lyra water colour pencils
Stamped paper distressed on the edges with Tim Holtz faded jeans and broken china
Printed paper - courtesy Terry
Coloured yarns - from stash
Sentiment - handwritten by me (wanted to fit in more text but the label being so tiny, it cannot hold much)

I am going to enter this card for a challenge at Sandy's space  the theme of which is boys.

Hugs,

Monica

PS: One year ago when I did not blog I did not enjoy rubber stamping at all even though I possessed many stamps. Thanks to you bloggers I am loving it now!!! Big change in me that. And the credit goes to you all for the inspiration.

Friday 19 August 2011

Cards from around the world for Carolyn's daughter, Susan

Hello lovely bloggers,


Thanks for the sweet comments on my last card...


Before I start waffling, let me get down to the gist of my post.  Carolyn is a lovely lady whom I met through Less is More and we have developed this instant loving bond. 


Carolyn's daughter, Susan has  been diagnosed with Cancer. So I thought I must get out there and ask my lovely blog buddies if they might want to send Susan a card to cheer her up.


If you would like more details, may I suggest a visit to Carolyn's wonderful blog.. Also you could take a peek at the pretty cards she makes.


Incidentally the last card I made with the bicycle and teddy is for Susan and Carolyn thinks I should go ahead and send it. 


Please, dear bloggers, this is not meant to cause you any kind of pressure. And I do think that I owe some of  you an apology for passing on those awards. 


Hugs,


Monica 

Wednesday 17 August 2011

General card



Hello, dear bloggers,

Welcome to my latest follower - Creative's Wardah! Thank you for following my blog.

Here is a card I made this morning, yes, this morning - it felt like pure luxury!!! So good to be able to craft and  post it instantly on the blog!

I have to give credit to Lynn for the inspiration for this card - thanks!

Supplies:

Base cardstock - pale green
White cardstock with a stripey texture which has been embossed on the borders with CB using my new embossing folder
Cycle stamp - Hero Arts (my new acquisition as well!)
Teddy bear - thanks to Sandra!
Flowers - homemade by me
Leaves - punched with leaf punch
Ribbon -  from stash
Heart and pearls on spokes of the wheels - courtesy Lynn!
Sentiment - handwritten and distressed on the borders


I made this card for a new blog buddy who's daughter is not well. But I realized that the sentiment is not really apt, so I guess I will make another one.

 I am quite happy with this card...hope you like it as well. Would love to hear what you think of it.

Hugs,

Monica

Tuesday 16 August 2011

Awards

Hello bloggers,


These awards were given to me a while ago somehow I have not been able to post them. Thank you so much, dear Rosalee and Sylvia for showering so much blog love on me. I feel proud and honoured to say the least.
Apologies for taking so long to share them with you all...

Thanks so much, Rosalee and Sylvia for your thoughtfulness!
Thanks, Rosalee!
Thanks again, Rosalee!
And thanks, yet again, Rosalee for passing so many awards to me!




Here are seven random things I am sharing about myself - the first one is an awful lot of truth! 

1. I am forty-five but since forties is the new thirties, I am thirty-five (going on thirty)!!! Lol. So you are all ten years younger, right?

2. I eat to live and not live to eat...

3. France made me fall in love with Mojito!!! 

4. I love silver jewellery.

5. I miss the fact that I don't sew anymore.

6. I wish the world would smile and take life just a wee bit less seriously. Blog-land has made my world a smiling place.

7. How I wish the world resembled blogland - there would be so much more love and harmony that way.


Now I would like to pass on ALL these awards to the following:

Sylvia - http://happycraftytimes5.blogspot.com/ ( all but the first award are for you, dear Sylvia!!!)

Do visit these blogs if you have a minute... and leave them some blog love that we all thrive on...

Hugs,

Monica

PS: In case you don't pick up the award for whatever reason, I totally understand...

A commissioned card

Hi bloggers,

I am having some fun again with blogger for whatever reason...

How I wish I could be more regular with blogging. Life has been so busy and hectic of late.

Here is a commissioned card I made a while ago (sorry for the poor picture quality).

Supplies:

Baby pink pearlized card stock
Paper - from Terry's blog candy
Sentiment - handwritten and heat embossed
Flower stickers, pink cord and buttons - from stash
Guess what the round shiny stickers on the bottom left hand side are? Bindis from India!!!

I was not very pleased with this card but the lady I made it for seemed quite happy with it.

Will come and visit soon.

Hugs and I have been missing blogging so very much,

Monica

Thursday 11 August 2011

Thank you, dear Terry for your RAK!

Hello bloggers,

I have been wanting to post this for a while - look , it doesn't rain but it pours, right? These delightful goodies were sent to me by Terry. Thanks, dear blog buddy! I love the papers and all the other embellies.
And can you believe it that she sent me this paper cutter, willy nilly? I just happened to ask her what kind of a paper cutter she uses and lo and behold, she parcels me this one. What an RAK! How kind is that???  Ain't I simply lucky?

Thanks so much, Terry!

Hugs to all,

Monica

Christmas card

Hi bloggers,

Zeenya started Middle School today... sixth grader!!! I guess I will come to terms with the fact that she is not my little girl anymore but am happy that I have a girl friend in her. Thank God for daughters!

This is a Christmas card I made a while ago with the lovely stamps that Sandra sent me - thanks, Sandra!
There is a touch of glitter here and there which does not show in the picture and neither does the metallic silver grey card stock!
 I have coloured the image with my Darwent water colour pencils.
The silver border that you see on the top and bottom was sent to me by Shirley-Anne.
Thank you, dear ladies for your generosity!
The stars, gifts at the bottom and the bling is from my stash.

Isn't the stamp cute? And look how big it is - tells such a nice story as well.


Hugs and happy crafting,

Monica

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Indian motif

Hello bloggers,

First of all, a warm welcome to my new followers - Romina, Jovi, Deb's creation, Anita, Karuna, Kiddo, Chronically creative and Carolyn - thanks so much for following my blog!

It has been a while since I last posted a card... just been so caught up with life in general.

Here is a card I have made with my Indian motif stencil... 

Supplies:

Cardstock - red
Embossing with Cuttlebug
Image - stencil with Indian motif coloured in with black.
Ribbon - American craft
Flowers - homemade with Sizzix mini diecut, Carla craft and my new stamen punch.
Flower centres - blob of metallic pop up glue
Sentiment - Thanks (handwritten)

Close-up of my homemade flowers


Another variation of the same card - the black and white printed paper is fancy gift wrap.
I am submitting this card for http://cheerfulstamppad.blogspot.com/ - flowers.


Will try and visit later this evening...

Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 4 August 2011

General card


 Hello dear bloggers,


Here is my second post for today... 


This is a card I made a while ago to sell for Japanese Red Cross. 


Somehow and as always it looked better in real life.

Supplies:
Beige and mocha cardstock
Kaisercraft clear stamp in brown as background (went over it with my Darwent water colour pencil)
DP from Terry
Vase - from Carla craft on light green paper, distressed with crushed olive
Coffee beans - nicked from Starbucks (sush... don't tell anyone, lol)
Flowers and ribbon - from my stash


Hugs,


Monica

Featured blogger - Shirley-Anne of stamping for joy

Hello lovely bloggers,

Yippeee it is Friday again tomorrow - this week did go quickly for me and all I did was one post and  make  plenty of flowers!!!

Now to the featured blogger of the month - it is none other than Shirley Anne of http://www.shirley-anne-stampingforjoy.blogspot.com/

She was one of my first followers and has always made it a point to come and visit me, leaving sweet comments for me to read. She makes really nice cards  and specializes in distressing and paper tearing. Her male cards are awesome and she makes them with much ease which I wish I could. Shirley-Anne is also on the DT of Make it Monday which is  another lovely blog as some of you may know.
Thank you Shirley-Anne for your love and inspiration... I am a big fan of yours to say the least!!!


I better go and do my rounds now...

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 3 August 2011

Thanks, Lynn!

Hello bloggers,

I am rather late in writing this post, sorry, Lynn!
Look at these delightful goodies Lynn sent me some time ago...
 Rub-ons, stickers, stamps, ribbon and other embellies.
How wonderful is that!

This lovely card came along with all the goodies! You can imagine my happiness, can't you?

I wish I had more time to create cards with all this tempting stuff.

Thanks so very much, Lynn, for all your encouraging and inspiring visits besides sending me all this super things.
Hugs,

Monica

Monday 1 August 2011

Thank you Charlene!

Hello bloggers,

It is me again with my second post...

Look at what I won at Charlene's blog - this AMAZING seaside memory book that she made with her hands... It is sooooo pretty, you know.

The cover reads - MY FAVOURITE SEASIDE MEMORIES. The shells and sand remind me of Goa and Bali!

I have sat it down on the coffee table in my living room to show off to my friends... and to remind me how happy I am to be a blogger.

Thank you, Charlene for your thoughtfulness,

Monica

Friday 29 July 2011

My first brass stencil embossing with Cuttlebug

Hello dear bloggers,

Happy first of August!
Thanks so much for your kind comments on my flowers...  hang in there, the tutorial is on it's way. 
Hope you lovely peeps had a decent weekend. 

I made this card on Friday and was thrilled with the way it turned out. 
And guess what I have used a brass stencil with my Cuttlebug to emboss the bird. My first time - Yippeeee!
Now I don't have to struggle with my poor fingers to do manual embossing with my lightbox even though there is a certain magic about manual embossing, you know. 

Okay enough waffle there... I am going to enter this for Make It Monday Linky Party.

Supplies used:

Cardstock - plain white.
Printed paper - kind courtesy Terry's blog candy that I won.
Purplish paper - from my stash , embossed with Cuttlebug and distressed with dark purple stamp pad.
Creamy pearlized paper - from Paddy's market, Sydney, embossed with my brass stencil, coloured in with pearl chalks in pastels and distressed with purple stamp pad.
Ribbon - American Craft
Flowers - Sizzix and Carla craft punches - home made, distressed and glittered. 

Note: This card worked like chocolate on my spirits - instant joy which lasted for 2 whole days!!! Lol.

I am off to do my rounds now...

Hugs and have a nice Monday,

Monica






Just been making flowers...


S is for SMILE.... cupcakes background to add to your smiles.

Hello dear bloggers,

Hope you are having a nice Friday... TGIF!!!

I have decided that no matter what I must give time for my art and craft - it is tonic for my soul, you know! Lol...

Here are some flowers I have made with my Sizzix die cut flowers and Carla craft punches (have used various sizes of punches to create centres and add depth).

I have taken different kinds of recycled paper in varied colours of the same family  metallic paper, construction paper and even just copier paper and look what I created... Ofcourse, I distressed the paper and sprayed it with water before crumpling the flowers.

I promise I will try and post a tutorial soon... I have been saying that for a year now. Better get down to it or I will fall in my own eyes!!! Lol.

I will come and visit soon and thanks again for all the inspiration you lovely, lovely ladies provide me.
And before I sign off I have to thank Kamya - an art and craft teacher in Mumbai who taught me quilling as well as YouTube tutorials that I religiously watch time permitting).

Hugs and flying kisses,

Monica

Wednesday 27 July 2011

Less is More - buttons and laces


Hello bloggers,

Thank you so much for your kind comments on my last card...

I have used pearlised baby blue cardstock for this card and have embossed it with my new embossing folder.
The cute baby pram  (kind courtesy Lynn) was heat embossed in sliver and coloured in with metallic gel crayons by Zeenya.
Thank you, Lynn for these delightful baby stamps that you sent me.
Doesn't the stamp look perfect with the folder?
The star shaped buttons were sent by dear Leigh (Charity Crafter) - thank you, wonderful ladies for adding so much colour into my card making. Aleeza loves these buttons and was a bid sad that they were going away because Leigh actually sent them for her!!! And I decided they were mine...
The sentiment is a ribbon which says,"It's a boy" which I had picked up a few years ago from a dollar store in Sydney. Sorry that it does not show so well.

I am going to submit this card for Less is More - the theme for which is buttons and ribbons

Hugs and hope to come and see you soon,

Monica
 

Monday 25 July 2011

Thank You Cards




Hello bloggers! I have been missing since I have been recovering from house invasion  by house guests and  am in the process of getting my apartment painted... And Aleeza has been behaving rather strangely after we have got back from our vacation... She is so clingy and cranky - hopefully it is a phase. Just that sometimes I am strapped of patience.

Now to this card - Have used white card stock and have stamped it with a Hero Arts Design block in green. Distressed the sides with crushed olive.
 The labels have been cut with my new punches and distressed as well. 
That 'oh so cute' flower with a lady bug on it has been sent to me by dear Sandra.  It is  a wooden embellie and looks really cute, doesn't it? Thanks, dear friend!
  
Another version of the same card on purple card stock which looks  blue! Have used a metallic stamp pad here...The strips of paper at the bottom are metallic  tissue papers which have been hand torn. The ribbon is from my stash. The metallic butterfly is store bought and the sentiment is hand written  - surprise, surprise!

 
This card is so simple and plain but it sold!!! I have gone over the stamp with a purple Sakura pen which made it look quite nice in real life. Have used the same metallic paper and the sentiment is handwritten as you can guess. The metallic flowers and butterflies are from my stash.


Hope you are all well and enjoying summer...

I am trying my best to resume crafting  and blogging full swing.

Hugs and thanks for your never-failing love and encouragement which has added so much sunshine to my life,
Monica

Tuesday 19 July 2011

General card

Hello my dear bloggers,

Here is a card I have made with paper from Terry's blog candy that I won last year.

The flowers have been made by me... and the sentiment as well.
I have added tiny shimmery flowers from my stash to give it a jazzy look.

Aleeza's first day was good, I think... did not get a chance to speak to the teacher because there were too many mums there wanting to know how their kids fared on the first day of school.

Hope you like my card... It looks much nicer in person, you know.

My life is a little better after Aleeza going back to school but Zeenya is still home because she goes to a different school. She is a big help, though and I do think I will miss her when she goes to middle school. But that means I will have more ME time. Yaaaay! My husband's 19 year old niece has been here since May, so we don't have many dull moments!!! I cannot wait for normal routine, though... Lol!

Hugs and have a nice tuesday,

Monica

Monday 18 July 2011

Congratulatory card

Hi bloggers,

Hope you had a wonderful weekend... 

Aleeza has started school this morning - a new class with a new teacher. I was missing the old teacher (a wonderful lady) sooo much!!! She is going to have a baby soon so has decided to be a stay at home mum.

Now to this card - Zeenya was kind enough to heat emboss this Hero Arts design block with silver embossing powder on to a shimmery mauve cardstock. It looks really effective in real life and I am quite pleased with how it turned out.

The  scalloped circles have been die cut with Ek Success. The subtle hearts that you see are actually fancy gift wrap.

The flowers and leaves (my new punch) have  been punched out of the same gift wrap. I have used three different flower  punches to give more character...and I have used shiny centres on some flowers to highlight them.

The sentiment has been embossed with Cuttlebug on shimmery cream paper.

I have made this card for a very special friend's son and daughter in law who are already married. My friend loved it!

Wish you a happy week ahead.

I will try and do my rounds soon. Zeenya wants to move her bed and change the layout of her room so I am off to help her with that.

Hugs,

Monica

Friday 15 July 2011

Thank You Card


Hello bloggers,

Hope you are enjoying your weekend wherever you are...It is 9:45 pm here as I write this post.

 I made this card for Zeenya's teacher to thank her for the kindness she had shown in our time of need.

It was rather simple but the embossing (Cuttlebug) looked great on shimmery white paper and I finished it off with ribbon and the three pahua shells from New Zealand (which I have been hoarding for almost 8 years and over!!)

I better leave as I am writing this post from Zeenya's laptop and she wants to chat with her friends...

So bye for now and have a pleasant weekend.

Hugs,
Monica

Wednesday 13 July 2011

Two wedding cards...



Hello bloggers,

I am trying to enjoy the summer holidays with my girls though from time to time, my patience is tried majorly by little Aleeza (my second one).

I am back pretty soon this time with two wedding cards... for my hubby's secretary who is getting married this Saturday. I gave Aleeza some paints to keep her busy while I made these simple cards.

For the first card I used light grey card stock and have stuck metallic silver handpaper on it.

The Docraft cake stamp has been stamped and heat embossed in silver by Zeenya on metallic creamy white paper and I have decorated the border with my Martha Stewart punch.

The silver ribbon and gems are from my stash while the baby blue ribbon is from Lynn - thank you so much, Lynn! I am impatiently waiting to find more time to start my next batch of charity cards with all that lovely stuff you have sent me...

The sentiment has been embossed with my dear Cuttlebug while the flowers have been punched with Carla craft flower punch.

For the second card, I have used grey card stock as well while the dress, shoes and flowers are from Shirley-Anne. Thank you, dear friend! I have parted with these lovely embellies with great reluctance (you know about my hoarding instincts, right?) Yet, I do think that the bride-to-be deserves it all - she is such a kind lady!

The grey punched hearts have been covered with glitter to match the general theme.

I have used my new Allegro embossing folder on metallic paper for the background.

The sentiment is handwritten but I'm afraid I did not do a good job.

Which card do you like? The first one is rather simple but looks much better in real life.

I will come and visit you all soon... forgive me for not being regular.

Hugs,

Monica


Tuesday 12 July 2011

Pictures of our vacation in France

Town centre of an old village called St. Paul de Vence (Provence)

Exterior of a pretty house in St Paul de Vence

 
 Grasse -  heart of  Perfumery

An old winery run by WOMEN!!! Yay! Women rule!

An overview of another pretty village
A church in Monaco


Hello my lovely blog buddies,

I have been missing as we have been having house guests and it sure has been keeping me busy...

Above are some pictures of our holiday in France...

Sorry, this is a quick post as it is my birthday and I am trying to convince my over worked hubby to take me out for a drink!!! He has just returned from a game of golf and wants to just chill out at home.

Hope you enjoy the pictures...

The food, wine and perfumes were amazing in France...
Paris Disney was a bit too busy but it still was enjoyble for the children.

Our holiday was fun, hectic and  a mixed bag because we lost our baggage as we arrived in Cannes! It took four days to be located. Somehow I did not lose my sense of humour - thank God for that.

All in all France was a beautiful experience and I have to say I loved it.

Hugs,

Monica



Monday 4 July 2011

Featured Blogger - Charity Crafter

Hello my sweet, sweet bloggers,

I am finally back after this so very long vacation. It was fun, hectic, busy and a bit of a mixed bag. It took me a while to find out my bearings in the kitchen.


I am glad to be back home - home, sweet home! East or West, home is best!!!  The children are still on vacation so I may not be able to get back to blogging full swing - I will try for sure once my jet lag settles down.

And believe me, I have missed blogging so much. I will try and post some pics incase there are some decent ones I have clicked.

Okay, before I continue with my waffling let me get to the point - the featured blogger for this month is the Lovely Leigh (http://www.charitycrafter.blogspot.com/


Leigh was one of the very first bloggers who touched my life - she is such a do-gooder in the true sense of the word. I consider myself lucky to be her follower... to say the least.


She makes beautiful cards and supports charities related to breast cancer and others as well. May I suggest that you do a tour of Leigh's blog and see what she does.She holds classes for scrapbooking and card making in her area too. She is quite an institution, really.


Every once in a while, Leigh does a post which is from her heart describing an incident which is just so heart warming to read. When I read those touching stories, I just feel so rich!


Thank you Leigh for the encouragement and love you have given me. Know that you are very dear to me even though I have been a bit out of touch with you.

Have a nice week ahead and I promise to come and visit you as soon as I can.

Happy Fourth of July!
Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 9 June 2011

Zeenya's Moving On Ceremony...


Hello lovely bloggers,

 My older daughter, Zeenya had her Moving On Ceremony today... She enters Middle School in August...

This is the card I made for Zeenya in a real jiffy. I have hand drawn the graduation hat and coloured it in with my Darwent water colours. The roses are made my me so is the red tassle. I have used a Hero Arts Life of the Party stamp for the background. I rolled up a small piece of paper for the certificate...At the bottom is a Martha Steward border punch.



Zeenya receiving her certificate from her Principal...
 

With her class teacher...

Some of her buddies...


Some more buddies...

My buddy and me... she is relocating back to Australia.
I am the one in black and white incase you are wondering!

Enjoy!!!

We are leaving for three week break tomorrow evening...
So pardon me if I am missing... But I will try and visit you if I can.

Hugs,

Monica