Monday 31 October 2011

Cards for the bazaars

Hello bloggers,

Hope you are well and having a decent Monday... And Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate it.
Aleeza had Halloween in school and she seemed to enjoy it in the comfort zone of her school.

I wonder if I mentioned that I did manage to get a table in the other bazaar as well. So I have to prepare for two bazaars... I sure am busy!

Here are some cards that I made for the bazaars - I need numbers so tried using the same kind of papers and embellishments. The flowers are handmade by me - rather simple cards but I do think they are striking. The ladybug images have been cut out from a gift wrap.







Hope you like them - wish I had more time to be creative.

Hugs,

Monica

Saturday 29 October 2011

Halloween here

Hello bloggers,

We celebrated Halloween yesterday in the complex where we stay.

Here is Aleeza minutes before she broke into tears and decided to boycott the celebrations. 
So we just had to come home. I think she got a bit frightened of witches and devils. You can see how her facial expressions show signs of oncoming tears.



Zeenya went for her own party at school and she had a ball.

Tried loading my picture dressed up as a witch but it did not load properly so had to delete it.

Happy Halloween to all those who celebrate it.

Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 27 October 2011

Deepavali celebrations in Aleeza's school

Hello bloggers,

Hope you all are well and happily crafting away. I have had such a busy week that I could hardly find time to blog though I did manage to find time for crafting.

I thought I must give you a peep into what I have been up to... So here are some pictures of Deepavali (the Indian festival of lights)  that was celebrated in a rather grand fashion in Aleeza's school - thanks to the multi-cultural school policy.


I helped decorate the lobby of the school 


This is the Principal wearing Indian clothes - don't you think she looks lovely?


Aleeza (centre) and her friend Clarissa doing craft during the celebration


One of the staff and I


The children tucking into pizza as it was one of the kid's birthday on the same day as well.
The two ladies who are standing are the class teachers - they both looked so pretty in Indian clothes. 


Enjoy!

Will come and visit soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Monday 24 October 2011

A card for a friend

 Hello bloggers,

Hope you are doing well and enjoying the beginning of the week. I am off to book my table for one of the bazaars tomorrow. I have to be there at 7.30 am so it it will be an early start for me. Let us see how it turns out...

This is a card I made yesterday because I wanted to try out my new stamps from Spellbinders. I am going to give this card to a lovely friend who has her birthday tomorrow.


Supplies:
Base card stock - pink which has been covered with designer paper that came free with a magazine subscription.
Nestie - Spellbinders
Stamp - Spellbinders (cling right - saw it at the scrap booking corner and grabbed it for dear life!!! Lol)
Used Brilliance pearlised lavender
Ribbon - from stash
Flowers - made by me 
Leaves - MS leaf punch
Crystals - Prima

Hope my friend likes it - she is a such a sweet lady and has a daughter who is Aleeza's age (almost) so that makes it even better.
Will come and visit soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Saturday 22 October 2011

Gift boxes for Christmas

Hello lovely bloggers,

Wow, I get to post a card this morning - how fulfilling is that!!! Lol.
Today I have to take Zeenya shopping for Halloween - she and her friends have decided to just wear neon clothes and do neon make-up! And I have to get three birthday gifts for Aleeza's class mates who celebrated their birthday in school. Aleeza requires a Halloween costume as well but I will see if I can use Zeenya's hand-me-down.


 Supplies:

Base card stock - white covered with fancy mat gold gift wrap
Gifts - punched with Ek Success
Embossing on green gift box - CB
Gold gift box - mat gold hand made paper from India
Ribbon - from stash
Holly leaves - punched from similar gift wrap

Hope you like this card as much as I do. I did not know what to do with these punched squares and thought it was a good idea to use them for gift boxes.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,

Monica

Friday 21 October 2011

Some of the cards that I made on vacation!

Hello bloggers,

It is a bright sunny day here and it is actually rainy season but there is no sign of rain. I have had such a busy week, unpacking our laundry from the vacation and just getting back to normalcy. It takes a while to get back into the mundane groove of things, you know.

Here are some cards I made while we were holidaying. They are pretty much the same type as I could carry only so much of supplies and punches.











The gold Christmas trees have been punched from the foil wrapping of  chocolates which my hubby and children gladly consumed and I happily saved the foil. I promise I did not tuck into the chocolates for the fear of having a bigger belly.

I am trying to make as many cards as I can for the two bazaars that I have committed to.

Many thanks for your kind help on my heat embossing queries - I will come and answer the emails after I get Aleeza from school.

Lots of love,

Monica

Wednesday 19 October 2011

A quick card for a new friend!


Hello lovely bloggers,

So glad that you enjoyed the pictures I posted yesterday.

Here is a quick card I made this morning for a new friend who has her wedding anniversary today. She is sadly relocating back to the UK and I got to know her only days before she leaves. Never mind, better late than never!

Will also be sending her some Indian food, Indian bread and basmati rice as a surprise since she does not plan to go out anywhere. Apparently she loves Curry as she is from the UK - surprise, surprise! Lol.


Supplies:
Base card stock - metallic white
Heart dies - Sizzix minis cut on metallic gift wrap
Sentiment stamp - Inkadinkado stamped with Brilliance pearlized lavender
Glitter dots on hearts - silver glitter glue
Border ounch - MS
Crystals - Prima
Silver ribbon -from stash


By the way, this picture was taken in my balcony and there was so much wind that this card almost flew down  26 floors. You should have seen my face then... Lol. I decided to follow the kind advice given by some dear bloggers to take pictures in natural daylight. It would have been a natural disaster coupled along with natural light if my card flew down!

Will post pictures of the cards I made on vacation soon.

So happy to be back to blogging,

Monica

Tuesday 18 October 2011

I am back!!!

Hello bloggers,
I am back at last from our vacation to a beautiful island in Malaysia called Langkawi. It was fascinating to say the least... 
Below are some pictures which were taken on my phone camera. They are morning and evening shots - I thought for once I did a good job with taking pictures. Lol. 












Hope you enjoyed viewing them... It was heavenly! The sea was calm and so were we!

Off to the playground now otherwise Aleeza will never get off the idiot box. Will come and visit your blogs later tonight.

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 12 October 2011

Will be back soon!

Hello bloggers,

Thanks so much for the kind comments on my last post...

And a warm welcome to my latest follower - Bhavana. Thanks so much for following my blog.

Just to let you all know that we are on an autumn break and will get back coming Sunday and you will find me coming and visiting. Nonetheless I have carried my craft kit with me and have made some cards as well. They are rather simple and quick cards which I will need for the Christmas Bazaar.

I am taking part in the Zeenya's school Christmas Bazaar as well. No idea what the response will be but I am excitedly getting a range ready. After that there is another Christmas Bazaar that I will participate in, that is if I manage to get a table... I believe it is quite a big thing to be able to grab a table in this Bazaar so am keeping my fingers crossed.

Catch you soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Friday 7 October 2011

Diwali cards that sold

Hello bloggers,
TGIF!!!
Remember I mentioned that a friend had given me an order for 10 Diwali cards? 
Here are some of them - and I am happy to say that she liked them all.







The papers for these cards are from Terry, thank you so much for them. I use them so sparingly! Hoarding and me are inseparable partners. Lol.

You know what my excuse for not taking better pictures is? That I do not have enough time... And that is quite true apart from the fact that I seriously need to concentrate on this skill.

I hope you like them...

Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 6 October 2011

One more for sale

Hello lovely bloggers,

I hope you are all happy, healthy and enjoying crafting in all it's glory.
It is 9.30 pm as I write this post and I have to say that I had a pretty good day even though the morning started with the telly talking about Steve Jobs. I was a big fan of his and I did have a tear in my eye. 
Anyway on a positive note, started with my Christmas cards - happy about that because I want to make enough to sell at the Bazaar.
I have some good news - met one of my sweet friends in the playground and she said that she would be happy to put up posters for me at the Spanish Embassy. I was almost dancing with delight... how nice is that!

This is a pretty quick and simple card I made a few days ago while I was experimenting with this background stamp. It is a great stamp and I could have done more justice with it. Never mind!

Supplies:

Base cardstock - purple
Back ground stamp - All night media
Butterflies - K and Co
Border punch - MS with purple ribbon underneath
Insert - Turquoise card stock

I am going to enter this for:
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ - butterfly and anything goes
http://mymumscraftshopchallenges.blogspot.com/ - all creatures big and small

Catch you soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 5 October 2011

Black and white Christmas card - really nice in real life!

Hello bloggers,

Welcome aboard, Tracey... thanks for becoming my latest follower. Yaaaay!!! I have crossed the one hundreth mark - actually I lost some followers when I changed the name of my blog in the very beginning.

Aleeza is on autumn break so she keeps me and the telly real busy. Sometimes she keeps the telly more busy than I. Lol.
I have made this black and white Christmas card with a huge stamp that has been sent to me by a dear, dear blog buddy, Sandra. My picture does not do justice to the card - not one bit.


Supplies:
Base card stock - white
Stamp - from dear Sandra
Sakura silver pen - to touch up the stamp
Glitter glue - for snowflakes and silver embossed paper
Silver embossed paper - at the bottom
Sequins - from stash


Am going to enter this for the following challenges:


Hugs and have a nice Wednesday,

Monica


Monday 3 October 2011

Getting some more cards ready to sell

Hello bloggers,

I was getting cravings to post a card because it is already October the 3rd so here is my card:
Here is a baby card I made a few days ago.
I have used my Spellbinders nestie for the second time and am loving them.



Supplies ( pretty self explanatory):
Base card stock - white
Embossing on card stock - CB
Embossed baby pram - CB
Nesties - Spellbinders (love it to bits)
Ribbon - actually green and matching with the paper but looks blue in the picture!
Gems - Prima (actually got them here at a premium but am sooo chuffed)


Am going to enter this for the following challenges:
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://www.cardcupids.org/blog/ - make a card and donate it or give it away
http://pictureandscrap.blogspot.com/ - embossing and/or distressing


Catch you soon.

Hugs,

Monica

Featured Blogger of the month - Linby

Hello lovely bloggers,

I hope you are having/had a good weekend where ever you are...

It is Monday morning here and it is almost 8 am in the morning. It is a bright sunny day and Aleeza begins her autumn break today. I must, must be very patient with her and try not to neglect her while I make my cards or blog. I will try my best to keep away from my card table and blog so that she is not tempted to watch telly.

I took Aleeza for a Minnie Mouse birthday party on Sunday afternoon and it was lovely. She actually participated in  musical chairs and gave a hand at breaking the pinata. I was in too relaxed and lazy a mood to take pictures.


Now for the featured blogger of the month - it is Lovely Linby  and here is her link:

Apart from being such a nice follower, she is a great crafter and her interests are macrame, crochet, knitting, dressmaking, quilling, pergamano, fimo, stencilling, card making and scrapbooking. Gosh! How talented is that!!!

Do visit her blog and see the different techniques she tries and the beautiful cards she creates.

Have a nice week ahead. Will come and visit you, Aleeza permitting!

Hugs and many thanks for the loving comments you all leave me,

Monica



Friday 30 September 2011

I sold this one as well

Hello lovely bloggers,
Welcome to my newest follower - Monica! I was trying to visit her blog but the profile sadly did not show her link.

TGIF!!! Tomorrow I don't have to put contacts into Zeenya's eyes at 6.30 am! Yes, she has started wearing soft lenses at almost 12... I know it is a bit early but she wanted them so bad.


Here is very quick card I made with stuff lying around on my table and it sold - so happy. So far the count is 62 cards and I have to make another ten for a Diwali order for a dear friend.


Supplies:

Base cards stock - red
Punches - MS and Ek Success on maroon coloured cardstock
Flower - made by your's truly with Ek Success scalloped round punch and distressed with Tim Holtz soot black


Hugs and have a nice weekend,

Monica

Wednesday 28 September 2011

For Less is More

Hello bloggers,

Thanks for the encouraging words about my last post...

Here is a quick card I made for Less is More.
Actually I had stamped Happy Birthday but the stamp shook and I had to stick this boring Best Wishes embossed sentiment which was lying in my embossed sentiment case.




Supplies:
Base card stock - white
Rounded edges - Ek Success punch
Pale Green nestie - Spellbinders
White embossed cupcake stamp - Cuttlebug
White gems - Prima
Sentiment - Cuttlebug

It looks much nicer in real life... must learn to take better pictures!

Hugs,

Monica

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Another one that sold

Hello lovely bloggers,

I sure have been having a busy week... sold 62 cards so far considering it was a bit slow because I did not take up a table in school. Am planning to take up a stall in one of the Christmas bazaars in town. So I better get moving since I don't have many cards ready.

Here is a card that sold off a few weeks ago but I did not post the picture because I thought it was rather simple... 




Supplies:
Base card - off white
Stamp - Hero Arts (I think) touched up with my Sakura gold metallic pen
Distress around the sides - Tim Holtz rusty hinge
Dull gold embossed paper for layering at the bottom - fancy gift wrap
Corners -  from a wall paper sample


Am going to enter this for the following challenges:
http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://www.cardcupids.org/blog/ - fall
http://www.gettingcricky.com/ - fall, autumn
http://www.gingerloftchallenge.blogspot.com/ - vintage, distressed
http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com/ - something that sparkles

I will surely come and visit your blogs soon.

Hugs,

Monica





Saturday 24 September 2011

Oshibana workshop

Hello sweet bloggers,

Hope that you are having a lovely Saturday. It is almost 9 pm as I write this post and I am ready to go to bed since I had a full day!
I was lucky enough to attend an Oshibana workshop last Tuesday. Oshibana means 'pressed flowers' in Japanese and this class was rather interesting to say the least.

Here is a card I made with the pressed flowers that were supplied to us in a kit.


Below is a book mark.


The workshop was great fun for me and I had a really stimulating morning. Such luxury to find something like this in Jakarta. Indonesia is so very rich in ethnic art and craft but there are not many structured workshops and classes that one could attend.

Will visit your blogs tomorrow...

Hugs,

Monica

Thursday 22 September 2011

Another one for sale...

Hello bloggers,

This is a card I made yesterday with the same teddy stamp that I have used in the previous post. Zeenya asked me why the teapots were there below the teddy. I replied, "because I find the teacup punch so cute  and cute things go well with teddies!"



Supplies:
Base paper - light creamy yellow
Flourish design on paper - Used a mask from Prima and coloured it in with my Plaid chalks
Stamp - Inkadinkadoh stamped with Amercan Craft clay
Border punch - MS (love it!) distressed with old paper and filled in with Sakura gold pen
Distressed inks - Tim Holtz rusty hinge, walnut stain
Teapots - from punch
Sentiment - Penny Black

Am going to enter it for the following challenges:


Will come and visit you all later... 

Hugs,

Monica

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Partly recycled card

Hello dear bloggers,

Hope you are having a good week...

A warm welcome to my new followers - Jane and Sasha. Delighted to have you on board!

Here is a card I made late last night for a friend who has undergone a surgery.


Supplies:
Base card stock - multishaded mocha
Teddy stamp - Inkadinkadoh, stamped with Amercan Crafts clay and popped up with foam dots
Border punch - MS, distressed with Tim Holtz wild honey
Printed orange patch at the bottom - recycled from a Starbuck take away cup
Orange rose - made by me with coiled paper, distressed with peeled paint
Small flowers -punched from MS border punch
Leaves - punched from leaf punches and distressed with Tim Holtz wild honey and crushed olive

I am going to submit this card for the following challenges:
http://tuesdaythrowdown.blogspot.com/ - fall
http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - punches and dies
http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/ - distressing
http://heartsonginspirations.blogspot.com/ - orange and/or buttons

Will come and do my rounds soon.

Hugs,

Monica


Monday 19 September 2011

Helen's new Etsy store

Hello bloggers,



You know Helen of  www.helenmade.blogspot.com has opened her new Etsy store with her beautiful handmade crafts.

She is an amazing crafter and makes great paper craft - a visit to her blog will endorse what I am saying.

Do check out her new store if you have a moment:


Hugs and have a nice week ahead,

Monica

This one sold as well...

Hello sweet bloggers,

First of all, I am sorry that I have not been around much. We were away at the weekend to a special friend's 40th birthday. It was loads of fun, laughter, champagne and good company all the way!!!

The card that I am posting is the one that was randomly picked up by the same lady who ordered 20 cards. Incidentally, she was kind enough to buy 26 cards in all and was I on cloud nine! So far I have sold 43 cards for Japan red cross...




Supplies:
Base card stock - white distressed with Tim Holtz wild honey and crushed olive
Embossing on card stock - CB
Stamped background - Hero Arts block done with Tim Holtz rusty hinge
Dragonfly - Inkadinkado stamp heat embossed with matt gold 
Distress around dragonfly - crushed olive and rusty hinge
Gold flowers - punched with Carla craft out of a very fancy brochure and that means I recycled!
Brown leaves - embossed and decorated with Sakura gold pen

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

I will come and do my rounds soon - that is a promise.

Hugs,

Monica



Wednesday 14 September 2011

My third set of cards for order


Hello lovely bloggers,

I got 10 cards delivered to the lady who ordered them and I was a bit nervous... but yaaay, she liked them all.

Now here is the next set - hope they are well received, too.










Supplies:
Base cardstock - black with green inner
Orange paper - stamped with Hero Arts block using Tim Holtz distressed peeled paint and forest moss
Green paper with black print - stamped with another Hero Arts block using Tim Holtz soot black and distressed with chalks, peeled paint and forest moss
 Large butterflies - from K and company
Small butterflies - stickers from stash (saving them for the past 12 years!!!)
Border punches - MS
Embossing - dear CB
Ribbon - white and distressed with peeled paint - you are impressed, aren't you??? 
Mosaic (only on one card) - from stash


I am going to enter this for the following challenges:
http://digistamps4joy.blogspot.com/ - fall colours
http://flutterbywednesdays.blogspot.com/ - butterfly
http://www.ibrakeforchallenges.blogspot.com/ - background
http://anythingchallenge.blogspot.com/ - anything goes
http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/ - anything with wings


Thanks for all your support - means so much to me and my little blog.

Hugs and off to do my chores before Zeenya sleeps,

Monica