AND THERE WERE TWO BEARS

Just Darling Kaelyn

2012-02-27T07:05:00.003-08:00

Kaelyn just turned 1 :) What a princess!

Here's a little present for K, or rather, I would have to say the pressie is more for her Mummy Lynette than for her haha. A rememberance of the princess that she was, before she enter the "terrible 2s and 3s stage"! keke

So yep! Some resin, some flowers, some rub-ons, and lotsa dimension!

Happy birthday sweet K! :)

RAFFLE WINNER!

2012-02-01T18:37:00.001-08:00

so you guys have already known, that I am giving away some awesome blog candy. Full kit worth $40! And here's the winner!

*drumroll*

Beth, I'll be contacting you shortly, please let me have your full name, mailing address and tel alright? :)

Hope you like what you see!

And thanks everyone else for joining. I promise that I'll be giving out more goodies! :)

Happy Birthday Kumquat!

2012-01-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

Another birthday present for a January baby. Jing Ting, who decided to call herself "Kumquat" on Facebook. Like WTH?! Kumquat is some exotic asian FRUIT! But whaever, since she wanna be a kumquat, her 12x12 shall read exactly that then lol

Some masking and prima rub-ons...

Some embellishing and fussy cutting...

AND... A HIDDEN CARD! Hidden... behind the photo mat :)

Made it an easel card so that it can stand as a display.

So yep... that's all folks! till next time! :)

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for YOU!

2012-01-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Today's the last day. Today's the 12th day of Christmas. And today, is special. Today is just about YOU :)

This mini is for YOU, my blog readers. Yes you heard me right! What I have here is a mini made from Crate Paper's Restoration collection. This is made from a sell-out kit from paisleysandpolkadots.com. Yup, very popular, totally sold out. And for a good reason too! The kit is full of scrumptious goodness!

But guess what! I have an extra kit worth $40 to give away to one lucky reader! All you gotta do is follow my blog and then comment on this post to enter the draw! If you want extra chances in the draw, here's how!

1. Get one extra chance by RE-POSTING this give away on your blog, then post a comment with a link to your blog.
2. Recommend your friends to my blog / join this giveaway. When they comment, get them to reference you. Say "[You name] sent me here!". The more friends you send over, the more additional chances you'll get!

Easy peasy right!

I'll close draw on 31 Jan 2012, or once I hit 100 subbies.

Without further ado, here's a run down of the mini :)

"This is a great book for all types of photos and it’s also perfect for vintage or heritage photos. It’s created with Crate Paper’s Restoration collection and includes a full set of 12 x 12 chipboard elements and a full phrase sticker sheet. Plus you will have plenty of trims, ribbons, and extras. The book has 5 chipboard pages (10 pages front and back) and also includes an extra teacup page for journaling or a small photo. The overall dimensions are 5 1/2 x 8 1/2." - paisleysandpolkadots

Look at all the goodies! All the embellies! All the layers!

Kit contents:

Crate Paper Restoration pattern paper (pre-cut to fit chipboard pages)
Crate Paper Restoration 12 x 12 chipboard elements
Crate Paper Restoration Phrases sticker sheet
Printed phrase sheet
Crocheted Doily
Velvet Trim
Ivory stick pin
Felt flower
2 silk leaves
1 rosette fabric embellishment
Brown and yellow Bakers twine
2 types of Lace
Various ribbons
2 orange silk flowers
1 ivory silk flower
1 fabric heart
1 gold embellishment
3 decorative buttons
Chipboard book (5 chipboard pages)
2 chipboard teacups
1 chipboard heart
2 binder rings

Tell me! How can anyone not be excited with these goodies!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Clara

2012-01-04T23:41:00.000-08:00

A 12x12 LO for Clara. Featuring her cute niece Chloe :) Hence the layout was titled, C loves c. Big C = Clara, Little c = Chloe! This is also her birthday pressie. Lala is born on the last day of the year! The irony... when the clock strike 12, she ages yet another year! Imagine aging 2 years in a span of 24 hours hahahaha

Truth is, this layout was made using off cuts, leftovers from other projects! Can you identify the products used?

This layout was embellished with Webster's Pages journalling card, and guess what! The case that holds the cards is mighty useful too! Look! Peekaboo! I see you!

So yep, Clara can just swap the display photos as she wish :) Kinda an ever changing layout! Neat much?

Last look! Look at all the cutesy expressions!

12 Days of Christmas: Gifts for Matt and Julz

2012-01-03T23:15:00.000-08:00

Bookmarks for my lil nephew and niece.

This project is fairly simple. Just that it's a tad time consuming as it requires a lil trial and error. The image was etched / burnt onto wood pieces using soldering iron (the brown outline were burnt on), then colored. So well yea, what's done can't be undone, no erasing, no removing and repositioning like scrapbooking. Had to throw away a couple of failed attempts. But all's well :)

Hope the kiddos like them!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Chii

2012-01-02T23:55:00.000-08:00

A mini for Chii.

Chii is a friend whom I met online some 6 years ago (like all my other crafting buddies), 'cept that she doesn't craft. We met cos we share the same taste in music :)

Here's a mini for her. Not my usual style. Cos I like heavy layerings... But well, Chii doesn't quite like taking photos, and there are only TWO, yes a grand total of TWO photos, on her Facebook! Of which one is too small to even print, and the other is a very very close crop and ain't the best for scrapbooking. So I decided to give her a mini with lotsa real estate to fill it up with photos she like, or to just use for journalling.

Run down of the pages.

I have to say that this album isn't my original creation, it was designed by Drew from scrappyhappiness.com, for livewithprima ustream. So if you wish to create the same album, just hop on over to the particular ustream episode for the tutorial :)

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Fanny

2012-01-01T23:27:00.000-08:00

Happy 2012 everyone!

And here's another gift that i wish to share. Apart from being the first day of the year, 1 Jan is also a special day for a special friend. 1 Jan one of my besties' wedding anniversary, so here's a gift for her! An altered Kaisercraft wooden birdcage for Fanny and Conrad, painted in white and tan, and decorated with lotsa Prima and Webster's goodies!

But just an altered birdcage would be pretty boring wouldn't it?! So here's one, with a mini photobook attached! Just pull out the tag with the stopper flower that locks it in place, and the book is ready to be flipped!

I took those pre-bridal photos *beams with pride* Quirky stuff, cos apart of the usual romantic shots, we also did a quick shoot at a kopitiam (for my int'l followers, direct translation of "kopitiam" is coffee shop. It's kinda like an old school coffee drinking place. i wouldn't quite call it a cafe. it's usually kinda dirty and you have old men and plump ladies with loud voices taking your orders and serving you your drinks and food. haha. cheap stuff. Coffee cost like 90 cents and toast cos between $0.40-1.20 or so...so yea, as much as it's a pretty dirty, oily place, it's something very local that is part of our everyday life). yup... so, this isn't a place where a bride and groom would normally be seen (and there were plenty of shocked faces when we arrived), hence making the photos unique!

Some close ups on the details...

Layering flowers, blings, stamped images and fussy cuts on old book pages.

So yep you two! hope you guys like it. And let me know if you want this mailed to you, or you prefer to get it from me when we see each other in a couple of weeks!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Robin

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000-08:00

A card for Robin :) Thank you Robin, for standing by me, and for having those long conversations (and rants) with me when we had it hard while hosting swaps. I hope you have received the bird house mini already and that this card will come as a sweet surprise! Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Cheryle

2011-12-30T01:53:00.000-08:00

A photo frame for Cheryle :) I know that her grandchildren are her pride and joy. And her story of her delivering her grandson in her living room floor bloth touched and tickled me. Haha.

So here's a frame with lotsa scrumptious embellies for you Cheryle, featuring your beloved grandchildren :) When you have a new photo taken with the new additions to the family, you can easily swap the photo! Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Joy

2011-12-29T13:25:00.000-08:00

Joy gets 2 pressies too! The same Christmas tag that I gave Dionne, along with a bag charm. The cool thing about this charm (I feel), is that it was made from beads and charms that fell off the originals.

Let me explain. As you guys know, I have been participating in charm swaps. And each time I receive my package, I'll find that some beads and charms have fallen off the creations that the ladies sent. Well I don't know exactly where/which they fell off from, so I just set all these aside. And this charm, was made outta those stuff that fell off. I think the bulk of the main charm was made by Katie... or Sue... But I'm not sure! Will any of these talented ladies out there who's looking please come claim credit?!

I don't mean to be cheapskate!! But I thought it was a great way to recycle, plus I am stuck in the hospital with my baby so it's not like I have the time to buy new stuff! BUTTTT.... the cutie girl charm that is the centerpiece is new and handmade. And it's mighty cute right!!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Dionne

2011-12-28T08:29:00.000-08:00

Two gifts actually :) A Christmas tag and a bottle cap dragon! Isn't the dragon absolutely lovely?!! I didn't make the bottle cap dragon though, got it from a talented crafter on etsy, justJB.

Even the write up on the story of the dragonlet is cute!

"Such adorable creatures - bet you didn't know they made dragons this small, eh? At this size, it's difficult for a critter to make a home even out of branches and twigs - those are huge to an inch-high critter! So they make do with what they can scavenge.

This dragonlet has gone a step above its bottle-cap-nesting brethren and has tried to hide itself with scraps of trash. It has covered itself in various watch cogs and gears, and little metal plates, and even found a little watch winder to decorate itself with, in hopes you will look him over and think he is just some discarded refuse. He is so tiny, he is terribly nervous about humans!

He's hoping you will either look right past him, or give him a very safe place to call home!"

Take good care of him will ya Dionne! Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Tash

2011-12-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

A card for Tash :)

Tash hasn't had a very good year. She has been down for a bit. Hopefully this card will cheer her up a bit. Making this card made me smile, so hopefully, by receiving it, she'll smile too! Merry Christmas and Happy 2012 Tash!

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Teri

2011-12-26T11:00:00.000-08:00

Teri gets something more elaborated. Cos apart from it being a Christmas gift, it is also a wedding gift! Congrats babe!

This is gonna be her table display at the gust sign in table. Photos courtesy of the very talented Brian Ho from thegaleria. Did I mention that he was my wedding photographer too!?!? :)

Surprise! It opens up!

And look at the gorgeous photo of Teri standing in the middle of a railway bridge. No danger there, it's a now defunct railway :)

12 Days of Christmas: A Gift for Julie

2011-12-25T00:01:00.000-08:00

A wall hanging for Julie :)

When I made a 12x12 LO for Dionne's birthday some time ago, I captioned it, "A present for a dear friend, happy birthday!" And Julie commented, "I would like to be your dear friend, and have a birthday!!! ;) Stunning, as always!!!!"

Well Julie, I kept that in mind :) You are a dear friend and you most certainly don't need to wait till your birthday! Merry Christmas Julie!

p/s: Joy is mega cute! Eating snow and all haha!

12 Days of Christmas

2011-12-24T15:21:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas Eve! Are you done with your christmas shopping yet? I sure hope you are... Well, I'm not, haha. Cos well... my baby has been hospitalized, AGAIN. But some "good" came outta it. Well, I didn't have time to shop for presents, and there's really nothing much to do in hospital, so I MADE some presents instead! Yup, lotsa scrappy goodness!

So from tomorrow onwards, i'll be starting a "12 Days of Christmas" series. I'll be sharing a scrappy present a day, presents that I made for some of my girl friends (the guys get non-scrappy stuff, they will just get their present late) and also some minis that I made but didn't post previously. That's to make up for the lack of blogging recently haha. I've been lagging behind when it comes to blogging, but I've still been creating! So I'll now give you 12 projects in one sitting! Hehe.

Watch for the posts starting tomorrow!

Round Round's Mothers' Day Present... TO ME!

2011-11-22T23:24:00.000-08:00

Cute right!! My son's Mother's Day Present to me!

Haha ok OBVIOUSLY he didn't alter the whole frame! He just hand printed a red flower for me. This was in May in year. Then Jaz put together this gem for me :) Isn't it gorgeous?! I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

I guess this is extra meaningful to me. Cos it's the first tangible gift that I've received from my son :)

HAPPY THURSDAY!

2011-11-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

Ok ok I know I know! I have not been blogging! But... I don't have time to! Am in the midst of my home renovation (I'll share photos alright once I'm done) and scrapbooking simply has to take a backseat.

But... I did manage to squeeze in like 30mins to decorate 2 baskets and pack bags and bags of GARRETT POPCORN (don't everyone love Garrett's!?) for the awesome folks in my office for what i proclaim to be HAPPY THURSDAY! And check out the "TAKE WHATEVER YOU NEED" slips hehe! Freedom, sex, love, strength or simply just GARRETT POPCORN!

Cat illustration by Yasmine from Cat vs Human.

Happy Birthday Little D!

2011-10-01T03:29:00.000-07:00

A birthday pressie for my buddy's girlfriend. And that automatically makes her my buddy too haha. My pet bird also makes a cameo appearance here :) Love Birdie to bits!

A little side story, I found my bird some 8 years ago. Yea, FOUND. It was during the Avian Flu period, and she was abandoned by her previous owner. My neighbour's golden retrievers found her in the middle of the road and watched over her. I was wondering to myself "Why in the world are the two doggies sitting in the middle of the road?!!?" and went over to take a look, only to find Birdie sitting between them, flightless. Her wings were clipped.

So I brought her back and gave her a home. I found out later that her owner probably abandoned her not just cos of Avian Flu, but cos she had a tumor as well. Her numerous operation cost me probably 10x more than then cost to buy a pet bird her breed. But no way I'm gonna let her go!

Well, all good things have to come to an end though... Her tumor recently relapsed. We scheduled her for another operation, but now being 11 years old *vet estimated* (birds of her breed live between 18-20 years), the vet thinks that she is too old to undergo and survive another operation and advised again it. We were told that she might outlive her tumor as a matter of fact (i.e: she'll die of old age before the tumour can actually claim her). So yea, she's back at home, happy (snappy at times, she really has character!) and we are just enjoying our time with her. Every extra day is a blessing!

Oh oh oh! Talking about snappy, I remembered that we let her out to roam in the garden once, and it rained. We forgot to put her back into the cage, under shelter. And by the time we realized, she was drenched. We opened her cage door for her (she returns home by herself after she have had enough fun, but couldn't do so that day cos the door was closed), and stretch our hands out for her to step on so that we can save her the walk back to her cage. She snarled at us, fussed and hissed under her breath, refuse to stand on our hands and walked back to her cage herself while grumbling, and ignored us for two days. HAHAHAHAHAHA. Parrots are so intelligent lol

"UP" Movie-Inspired Birdhouse Mini Album with BALLOONS!

2011-09-27T17:45:00.000-07:00

A birdhouse mini inspired by the balloon house in the movie "UP" i made for Robin for a swap on minialbumscraps.ning.com. A shout out to Jaz for the inspiration! :)

Take a look at the vid if you will, to see a run down of all the pages, with gorgeous photos of Robin and her beautiful family. I cal tell ya honestly, the mini won't be half as pretty if it wasn't for the beautiful and happy photos taken by Robin during Mothers' Day! You can literally feel the love!

And here are the high res close up photos of all the details :)

Thanks for looking! And Robin, hope it reaches you safely!! It's really a pain in the behind to package and send something this dimensional lol

September Scrapbeach Colors of Royalty Charm Swap

2011-09-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

Wow it has been a long time since my last scrapbooking update. The previous 2 posts don't count since I didn't upload new creations. Have been busy with the renovation of my new home so pardon my absence!

So let's cute to the chase! Charms for the monthly charm swap that JoAnn hosts on the scrapbeach. For September, theme is Colors of Royalty... so we were supposed to use blues, purples etc and here are my creations!

Fairly simple. Made a pull out tag for the charms, which the ladies can reuse on their minis or something. Ink the edges, glitter the flower and adhere a rhinestone on the crown.

I used shades of blues for the charms itself. With a jeweled crown charm too... So that the theme on the tag follows thru to the charm.

As you can see, the charms have slightly different beads though the colors are the same... I erm... kinda ran outta beads hehe and shipping for the new ones take too long to arrive so I just used other similar ones. I doubt the ladies mind anyway so yea... Here's what i have for now! Hopefully I'll be updating again... soon? hehe

Checking Items Off My Wishlist

2011-08-19T02:03:00.000-07:00

Yayyy!! The CHA releases arrived! Well, at least part of it!

I got my BoBunny, Graphic45, Prima Papers (I still have not gotten the flowers and resins yet booooo!). Now... O Webster's, Webster's! Wherefore art thou Webster's?

MY CHA WISHLIST

2011-07-24T21:42:00.000-07:00

Well... I don't have a very large wish list (thank goodness for my pockets). Anyone wanna buy me something? hehehe. I can make stuff for you guys in return? hehe. Naahhh I'm kidding. I can buy them when they hit the stores locally (hopeflly)... Just hope that they are not outta stock the moment they arrive (it happened with prima and webster's!) I don't expect anyone to send me goodies, especially not since postage cost more than the price of the items. But if anyone do... I will honour my word! I'll send a 12x12, or mini, or altered something back?!

anyway here goes!

BO BUNNY ET CETERA COLLECTION

GRAPHIC 45 ABC PRIMER COLLECTION

PRIMA ROMANTIQUE AND PRINTERY COLLECTION
and LONDONERRY FLOWERS + SHABBY CHIC RESIN AND METAL EMBELLIES

WEBSTER'S PAGES WESTERN ROMANCE COLLECTION

See! I'm so not greedy right? Not THAAAAATTTT much that I want from this CHA right? Self control! Must practice self control!

The Good Life Carousel Shadow Box Pop Up Mini Album

2011-07-17T19:00:00.000-07:00

EDITED ON 25 JULY 2011: Ok I have had multiple requests literally everywhere for a tutorial of this album. Well... I don't think a "tutorial" is necessary, since each and everyone of you have your own style on how to doll up an album. BUT... I've made a template for the base of this album and it is available for DOWNLOAD HERE. Just input your email and a link for the PDF download will be sent to your mailbox. Hope that helps! Also, a shout out to Merdrey for the inspiration on the carousel roof! :)

Please note however, that the template is for personal use only. Strictly not for sale and please do not re-upload it anywhere else for others to download it. If anyone wants it, please direct them to my blog to download it. Thank you and have fun! :)

Ok I'm done with the 2-part mini album swap that I hosted and here's what I came up with for my swap partner! It's a carousel-style shadowbox album!
And why do I call it a carousel album? well here's why! it opens up into a "carousel", complete with "roof" and multi-layer "shadow box" like pages! See see! Each page has 3 layers, one inch apart, and photos can be placed at of the layers to create a multi-dimensional look.

As you can see, each page has LOADS of embellishments... which is the whole point of why I designed the album as such. Well, I told the ladies to send enough embellishment to cover one 6x6 page (2 sides), but I think each sent enough to make HALF AN ALBUM! So I had to design something that allows me to expend as much embellishments as I can, yet still allow space for photos and journalling...

Well.. I love photos... And I suck at making videos honestly... But I think a video "tour" can better give a feel of the album so here's one!

A couple more photos... Hope ya like it!

G45 Magic of Oz Bottle Cap Swap on The Scrapbeach, with a Double Slider to go!

2011-07-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Here's the set of 3 bottle caps I made for a swap on The Scrapbeach.

Wanted to have a cooler presentation than the usual standard tag, so I made these double slider tags instead. Made a video to better show the double slider tag.

I must say that I am mighty proud of myself! Isn't it neat!?!? Just pull one of the tag and the other slides out simultaneously!

The bottle caps are on glue dots, so you can just peel them right off, leaving the top tag intact. And the bottom tag has this cute illustration by Skittie Young with space for journalling. Can recycle use them on a mini album page.

Decorated the scarecrow with lace, Dorothy with a pop up of her per dog and some blings and the lion with a blue bow. Also matted the image with the same blue checkered fabric as Dorothy's outfit.

Also, check out the illustration on the bottom tag by Skottie Young! Cute much!?! Finds his style familiar? He is a graphic novel artist that illustrates for Marvel, on titles such as X-Mem, Spiderman and wonderful Wizard of Oz! And he got nominated for the Eisner Award recently!

Hope the ladies like it!

August Scrapbeach Beach Theme Charm Swap

2011-06-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

I am super duper early! It's June and I'm already done with my August charm swap. hehehe. Anyway, here are my August charms. The theme set by JoAnn is "Beach"... and i created a dolphin tag for my blue/aqua charm.

"A Dolphin totem can show you how to enter
the waters of life and then with breath and sound
call forth what you most need or desire."

The presentation tag is based on a tattoo designed by Halie Tee. It combines a dolphin with a treble clef. I glimmer misted the tag in blue and yellow... representing the ocean and sand, with tinge of pink to accent.

I then crackled the tag with rock candy distress crackle to get that sea glass effect.

and included some half pearls and dew drops.

Honestly, I think my creation for this month is very different from my July's. This month's focus is more on the presentation tag than the charm inself actually... hmmm... but i hope the ladies will still like it?

July Scrapbeach Vintage Charm Swap

2011-06-25T00:29:00.001-07:00

My charms for the July swap on scrapbeach :) Graphic45 Curtain Call papers for the tag with a little prima cabbage rose and some lace. Oxidized chains, charms and feather for the dangle. A mostly black, white/cream creation. Hope the ladies like these!

Matchbox Mini Swap {Creations by the Ladies}

2011-06-24T21:46:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update on the swaps. Posting some pics first before I mail everything out coming Monday :)

Here's Kimie's creation. She used the large matchbox by the way so there's lotsa real estate for photos! Awesome crackling too!

Here's Julie's! Super colorful and intricate. With lotsa stamping. Julie has the cutest little flowers and mini stamps!

This is made by my angel :) Love ya Jenifer, for filling in at the last minute. Cute fluffy handmade flowers :)

And this is from Robin, who took the extra effort to lacquer the boxes so they are all shiny. I didn't mange to capture that in the photo, but they ARE glossed over!

The next two are from Tash. You ladies gotta look at all the intricate details when you receive it! She stamped lotsa pages and embossed them with clear embossing powder. All that effort, for the subtle sweet effect that won't take the focus off your photos!

One from Raquel, who finds the classiest of papers. Love the little mirrors tied to the lace!

And finally, one from me, angelling cos Camillia flaked.

My other two "official" ones for can be found at my other posts here and here. Thank you for joining me ladies! Your creations are OTT beautiful and I'm glad to own a piece of your artwork!

Backpack Mini Album

2011-06-17T23:23:00.001-07:00

Wanna share a "Back To School" Backpack Mini that I made, with inspiration from Kathy from Paper Phenomenon. I drew inspiration from a paperbag mini she made last year, as well as her Random Memories Mini Album that she made not too long ago. Cept that I don't quite fancy paperbag minis cos they ain't acid free... So I assembled the pages a bit differently.

Anyway... here's the backpack :) It's a little different from the usual heavily embellished albums and altered projects that I do... But there is a lot of interactive elements in this one.

And here's the first inside page, the Stationery Page. There's a full page photo mat with a little pocket for photos or tags on the left. And on the right, that's where the fun is. The pencil is a flip-down tag, where I can do some journalling, and it is actually mounted on a mega-huge pull out tag/photo mat. Plenty of real estate there! The "cap" of the glue bottle can also be pulled out to reveal a journalling spot :)

Next page is the Bus Stop Page. Same goes, photo mat on the left, and on the right there's photo mat with a pocket at the bottom, and a pull-out tag of a school bus. The doors of the school bus opens too, so a photo can go there, and photos can also slip into the windows of the bus.

Third page, it's Lunch Time! I love this spread! the page on the left has this cute spongy felt apple, and it also flips up to reveal another two photo mats under. Actually, all the photo mats on the left either flips up, or flips left to maximize real estate. plenty of space for photos in this album.

And on the left, more pull out photo mats and tags. The milk carton, hamburger and french fries are all tags for journalling!

For this page, the little wallet mini was inspierd by the wallet in Kathy's Random Memories album. The wallet opens to reveal 4 pockets for photo mats and other goodies. I made two tag mats... Each opens to 4 photo spots, pockets at the bottom and a pull out tag.

As for this page, there are 3 pockets for whatever photos or little tickets etc, and it flips open so that a photo can go under.

Here's a last look at the backpack mini and all the interactive pull out mats, tags and stuffies... Anyway, if you have to know, this is the Grade School 8x8 stack from DCWV. I used exactly half the stack, one sheet of each paper design (plus lotsa plain cardstock), so I have another half a stack and I can make another backpack mini. Yay yay!

I had fun making this. Hope ya like it too!

Think Positive {Curtain} Mini Album

2011-06-13T20:24:00.000-07:00

Just wanna quickly share an album that I made while baby was in hospital. A good past time in between his feeds, gas and meds really.

Anyway this album is titled "Think Positive Today". Totally hand-bound, made from scratch. And see that pretty "lace" on the cover? That's curtain! YEA YOU HEARD ME! Curtain! Merdrey has the most awesome ideas when designing hand bounded books :)

Pretty HUGE resin flower!

Mix materials, mix sized pages inside, screenprints, transparencies, paper... pocket pages, slot-in frames, file folder pages yada yada yada

Ok back to mixing meds and gassing the little rascal. Hope he recovers soon!

I'm A {Sick} Baby T-Rex...

2011-06-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm a Baby T-Rex,
And I love to roar and shriek,
But when I open my mouth,
There's nothing but a squeak!

So this is not scrapbook related... but it is my blog, so i'll update as i like :P for those that didn't already see it on FB, my T-rex is severely ill and down with RSV (Respiratory Syncitial Virus). ya know, that epidemic cold/cough thingy that always hit during the rainy seasons? cept that for adults, it will not go all the way to the lungs, but for babies, it would, and then they will cough, wheeze and cannot breathe... and lead to bronchiolitis.

So this is my "very sick" T-rex who got hospitalized. Apparently he is very ill. but he is so happy it's ridiculous. he tried whenever he could, to launch himself out in between the metal grills of the bed. wriggled and hid under the sheets to avoid being fed medicine.. or being fed ANYTHING at all... the not feeding part is the only "sick" symptom. and he kept yelling, ROARING and doing his signature war cry crap. i dunno where he find the energy to be so hyper. must be solar powered. i feel sorry for the newborn that is sleeping in the next bed, who is down with RSV too.

and this is a video of him in his boxing ring. tell me if he looks like a sick baby to you?

oh well i am not complaining really. better a happy sick baby than a miserable sick baby right?

but his hospitalization is gonna cost us 3 Macbook Airs by the way. Ugh whatever.

Yay Me!

2011-06-06T19:42:00.000-07:00

I'm one of the Webster's Pages FEATURED MEMBER for 6-12 June! (Cos of the altered cigar box I made for Eve)

*beams with pride*

Happy Birthday Joy!

2011-06-03T19:22:00.000-07:00

A little Joy as day keeps Mister Dark away. A layout done with Jaz, and now dedicated to Joy :) Happy birthday babe! Have a great one in Brunei!

Some close up on the embellies, as well as pretty Joy.

Love the peacock! First saw this on an altered box at my cuzzie's wedding (before I started scrapbooking) and i was like "where in the world did these gorgeous papers come from?!?"... Well, now I know :)

Webster's Pages Birdhouse Staircase Mini Album

2011-06-02T04:11:00.000-07:00

I <3 Webster's Pages. The paper is just gorgeous :) And the Basic Grey album adds to the sweetness! (But Basic Grey, can you have some quality control when packing your albums please? there's supposed to be 10 chipboard pieces but I only got 9, my friend got 8 in her pack. There are not many packs with 10 ya? *sigh*)

Did this album with Merdrey. Isn't it sweet? Included a charm that Sue Howe made for me for the Scrappyhappiness Tim Holtz Swivel Clasp swap. Isn't it pretty? And it goes soooooooo well with the album!

Hmmm but it's lacking a title though... I have not decided if I wanna put my Australia travel photos in it, or my Japan's. The cover looks a tad empty without a title!

Here's a close up of the charm. Pretty right?! The colors are so nicely coordinated.

Well this album is a top flip album, a little difficult to photograph cos it can't "stand" like the usual horizontal bound album. So i decided to fan it open to photograph. Here are some of the pages!

A close up of one of my favourite page. The color of the prima flower and webster's papers just come together so well!

I love this and i hope ya like it too! Thanks Mer! :)

Altered Shadow Box with Birdcage (and a cutesy Paper Mache Bird! Lurveee)

2011-06-01T03:34:00.000-07:00

Completed this shadowbox recently in class with Jaz, but made a few adjustments this couple of days to include some little thingies I like... Including the cutesy paper mache bird! <3 to bits!!

Some close ups of the fussy cuttings.

That blank frame is where my title is gonna go, will also bling up the area after I paste my alphas down. But I just couldn't resist sharing the pics first before completing it! hehe

Altered Cigar Box for Eve (Swap on Scrappyhappiness Ning)

2011-05-28T08:11:00.000-07:00

Opps... sorry that I haven't posted in 3 weeks! I do have some new projects! Just didn't got down to photographing cos it's lacking some finishing touches. But I promise I'll post soon!

Anyway here's an altered cigar box I made for Eve for the swap she hosted on Scrappyhappiness Ning. Was supposed to use Graphic45 papers actually but the paper hasn't arrived yet so I used some Webster's instead (with her blessings of course).

Eve, if you are looking, hope you like it! :)

Some close ups. I totally <3 the photo that Eve uses as her avatar, so I made her a box in a similar color scheme just so that I can put her photo on the cover :) Actually, I did a similar 12x12 layout with Jaz in class some time back. Will share when I have the time!

That's all for now folks!

Altered Matchbox Mini Album Swap (Part 2)

2011-05-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

Filled in for a swapper who pulled out of the swap in the last min. Hope the ladies in Group 2 like what I've made :)

A whole different feel as compared to the ones I made for Group 1. These have a blue shabby chic theme, done up using Webster's Pages papers and vellum. Also used plastic doilies (prima packaging), flower lace and prima cabbage rose.

I also tried a new format for the mini album inside. It unfolds into a full rectangle sheet. You can opt to fit 9 little photos on it, or just place one 3x5 photo on it, slice it up according to my cut lines and you'll have a jigsaw like photo :D

Tell me what ya think? :)

Altered Matchbox Mini Album Swap

2011-05-02T00:24:00.000-07:00

Tadah! My contribution to the matchbox mini album swap that I am hosting on scrappyhappiness ning!

Let me walk ya thru. I covered the matchbox with 1/4 dictionary paper and 3/4 7gypsies Lille collection paper, lace punched. Then diecut a baroque window and pierced a little hole to attach a mini ornate key. Don't ask me why I did that, honestly it was a pain to cut that little window and do that small piercing without tearing the matchbox, cos it was done very close to the edge.

Oh well... and finally I embellished it with a mini little flower, a hamply studios screenprint I cut and some lace.

For the inside, I made it a little pocket tag album, matted every page. And every page has a pocket for a pull-out tag which you can do some journalling on. The inside of the front and back cover also sport half pockets to slot some little photos or notes. I attached a little metal locket to the cover of the mini, and that acts as a closure, for me to thread some twine thru to hold the album in place. Can probably see better in the above pic.

So yea! Hope ya ladies like this! This is for group 1. I'm not sure if I can find an angel to fill in for group 2 yet, cos a couple of swappers pulled out. If I can't, I'll design another one for group 2. Won't be the same! :)

p/s: For my readers who want to have a sense of it's size, these matchboxes are about 5cm long! cute much?!

Dear Santa Card

2011-05-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

Long overdue haha. Made this card before Christmas last year. was gonna "mass produce" a dozen of this design to give away to my friends. but i delivered my baby boy 3 weeks early so i never got to finish making them to give away. here's the only completed one. hehe
i had another half done one though... without title... so i made it into a card for Kline, my swap partner on the Scrapbeach (no it doesn't say "dear santa" of cos! hehe). So Kline... if you are looking, watch for this! hope you like it :)

May Scrapbeach Wildcard Charm Swap

2011-04-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Made these itsy bitsy teeny weeny charms for the wildcard swap on scrapbeach. they are real tiny (and cute if i may say so myself)! like the smallest bead is only 3-5mm! pretty cute i must say!

and i encase them in matchboxes instead of the usual tags or cards (cos i bought lots for the matchbox mini swap that i'm hosting haha). thought the combination looked pretty sweet, yes? hehe

hmmm... but i'm not too sure if the ladies are gonna like these? i mean they look cute and all to me.. and i do like teeny miniature stuffies... but i do know that some people would prefer larger charms i suppose... so i am a little apprehensive.. hrm hrm hrm. what do ya think?

[2-Part Swap] Shabby Chic Embellishments / Mini Album Challenge Swap

2011-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Sign ups:
Xylvie Wong
Tash Daly
Julie Dawson
Veronica
Camilla Nyhlander
Jenifer Meagher
Craig
Lori DiAnni
Aimee Stevens

This is gonna be a fun 2-part embellishments / mini album swap, WITH A TWIST. Interested? Read on! :)

Unlimited sign ups.
Sign ups close on 30 April 2011.

WHAT TO DO:

PART 1:
Put together 6 similar goodie bags of embellishments in SHABBY CHIC/VINTAGE style.

In each bag, you MUST include:-
1. 1 Large 3D Flower* (1.5-2 inch)
2. 2 Medium 3D Flowers* (1-1.5 inch)
3. 2 Small 3D Flowers* (less than 1 inch) or 4 Flat Flowers or 4 Leaves

(Option: Instead of sending items 1, 2 & 3, you can also send ONE of those big bunch of prima, webster's, petaloo bouquet that has leaves, vines & flowers)

4. 2 Trims of at least 10 inches each
5. 1 Metal Embellishment
6. 5 other embellishments* (pins, diecuts, tags, chipboard elements, blings etc)
7. 1 Sticker or Stamped image/phrase on paper or transparency
8. Any other interesting goodies

*Flowers, embellies can be handmade or store bought.

Keep 1 bag, mail 5 to me for redistribution.
Goodie Bags are to be posted by 15 May 2011.

PART 2:
Upon receiving the swap bags, put them together with the bag you kept for yourself and MAKE A MINI ALBUM! For who?

THE TWIST:
Aha! This is a game of "ANGEL & MORTAL" / "SECRET SANTA". You're an "Angel" and will be assigned a "Mortal", whom you will make an album for!

Somebody ELSE is your "Angel" and she will make you an album. You WILL NOT KNOW who your "Angel" is, and you must not disclose your identity to your recipient "Mortal" until you have shipped! Surprise surprise?! :)

MUST DO:
1. Album must have at least 5 pages (10 sides, excluding front cover), and at least 6"x6" or 5"x7". You may choose your own paper collection. Exercise your judgement and pick something you think your "Mortal" might like. No obligations though, it's sender's choice so just have fun!
2. You can ONLY USE the embellishments in the bags, nothing else. Ink them, mist them, paint them and make them work for you!
3. You must use up at least 75% of the embellishments. All unused embellishments are to be mailed to your "Mortal" together with the mini album you made.

SHIPPING & DEADLINES:
- Shipping deadline for Goodie Bags is 15 May 2011. I need to see that the package is postmarked 15 May. Bags should reach me no later than 31 May.
- Please be willing to ship internationally.
- Please put your name on EVERY bag. (so that I don't accidentally send your own bag back to you!)
- Print and include 2 copies of your name & address together with your goodie bags. One is for me to mail the swap bags back to you. The other is for me to give to your "Angel" to ship the album to you direct.
- No SAE is required. I'll package and bill you exact shipping via PAYPAL. (If you make me an extra goodie bag, I'll pay for the return shipping of the swapped goodie bags)
- PM me for address once you are ready to ship.
- PM me the DC# after you ship.
- Shipping Deadline for Mini Album is 15 July 2011. Ship directly to your "Mortal", not to me.

Any Qs? Just ask!

Tim Holtz Swivel Clasps Charm Swap

2011-04-09T07:15:00.000-07:00

Made these dragonfly charms for a swap. My first go at making charms. So I hope I'm doing it right and that it's good enough? Here's a pic of the white dragonfly charm.
And here's a close up of the wire-wrapped glass bead along with the other little trinkets.

I've included:-
- 1 handmade Chinese knot dragonfly
- 1 wire-wrapped glass bead with pearl dangle
- 1 Pink Paislee metal dragonfly / butterfly charm
- 1 metal heart / square charm
- 1 flower ball make of little primas
- 1 Tim Holtz Muse Token
- 1 Making Memories Key & Locket Charm
Here's a close up of the light green dragonfly.As you can see, every charm is slightly different as the dragonfly is of a different color. So is the flower ball.So yep, here goes nothing! Hope the ladies that receive these like them enough!

Life is Beautiful Mini Album

2011-04-06T20:41:00.000-07:00

Did this in... Jan.. I think? But didn't have the time to photograph and post it. Not quite completed though... Cos some pages were designed for the embellies to go on top of the photos. I have set aside the embellies... Will post the completed album with photos when I am done (I hope, hehehe)

Used a ton of primas as you can tell. Prima gotta love me. And yes, the white doily is prima packaging haha

Lurrrvvveee Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint! That's Distress Crackle in Rock Candy. can't get it in the local store though.. So I gotta ship from USA... Boo...

Love those little flower balls! I included them in the Tim Holtz Swivel Clasps Swap that Nancy is hosting... So whoever's in my group gets charms with flower balls hehehe.

One last look at the album with pages open. It's a pretty fat album actually.. Can't close fully anyway... But that means that it's packed with goodness!

So yep! that's all for now! Comments comments?!

Daddy's Girl

2011-03-30T11:25:00.000-07:00

A special gift for a special little girl :)

Newborn daughter of my godbrother, meimei of my Round Round. Getting chubbier by the day.

Though you two are living miles apart now, hopefully by the time you meet you'll know how to play and laugh with each other.

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever
- Graduation (Friends Forever) Lyrics

We need your help... [Sendai Japan Earthquake 2011 Disaster Relief Appeal for Donations]

2011-03-14T20:21:00.000-07:00

Reposting an appeal from Tomoko, one of my favorite scrappers from Japan.

Hi everyone.

On March 11th, there was a big earthquake, the biggest earthquake ever to hit Japan recorded at a magnitude of 9.0 in Tohoku region. Also, that earthquake led to another big quake in Kanto capital region.

I am seeing these scenes on news and just feel so terrified by this tragedy... I want to call out for your help. I am thinking of selling artists/scrapper's creations online in Japan (they can be cards or anything) and donate the profit to Japan Red Cross Society, where they can send the profit to the places that were affected. I will be making some projects myself too.

If you are able to help, please email me at scrappers.donation.japan@gmail.com so I can send you the address to send your creation(s). You will be sending your project(s) to me and I will be selling them on online. We will be selling these to people in Japan (since we do not ship to overseas).

The layouts and altered will be sold in the price of 3,000 Yen (About $36) and cards for 1,000 Yen (About $12). I know the price is not high, but we want more and more people to participate for the donation. The profit will be donated to Red Cross Society.

***Since all profits will be donated, I hope you will understand that I will not be able to pay for the expenses.

Thank you so much for your cooperation!!!!!!

Love,
Tomoko

OMG I WON!

2011-02-23T06:54:00.000-08:00

OMG I won I won! The livewithprima challenge!

(photo from Drew's blog)

Won the canvas mini album that was made by the talented Drew during the ustream class! How awesome! Watch the ustream class to see how cute that album is will ya :D

Can't wait for it to arrive in my mail! Will share close up pix when I get it.

And There Were 2 Bears Mini Album

2011-02-20T00:41:00.000-08:00

Beautiful grungy papers Tim Holtz has. Wanted a mini album for my baby boy, so I had Drew titled the mini "And There Were Two Bears". But on hindsight, the paper line ain't the most suitable for a baby album. HAHAHAHAHA. Oh well. Everyone makes mistakes I guess :)

Doesn't matter, think I can fix it... By... converting all the baby photos to sepia or b/w. That should blend well with the paper line then? hehe

See these kraft and black chipboard alphas with faux stitching? Love 'em! Yet another collaboration between American Crafts and the local scrapbook store Papermarket... So these are exclusive! Found nowhere ele in the world, just like those in my Memento Mori Album.

Likewise, if you want a pack, just leave me a message and I'll be glad to help you purchase them. They are going for $9.90 in store :)

Toodles!

Altered Candy Jars

2011-02-14T21:54:00.000-08:00

So Papermarket was having a promotion, purchase $35 worth of product and get $35 class voucher free. But the product purchase must include a pack of rock candy. I was just thinking, why not? Since I have plenty of those mini honey jars at home... I could jolly well fill them with candies and give them away as Valentine's Day gifts to my friends!

Here's what I made!

Happy Valentine's!

Memento Mori... Vive Hodie!

2011-02-13T06:01:00.000-08:00

Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as "Remember your mortality" or "Remember you will die".

Nothing morbid, really. It's a phrase to remind ourselves that we are only human, and that we should be humble, to remember the fragility of life and to cherish.

So yep, here's a 8.5" x 6" fabric-cover mini album encased in an altered mini stitched chipboard luggage.

Luggage is titled Memento mori, while the mini album reads Vive hodie, which is latin for "Live today". Pretty little thingies if I may say so myself. Love how the two items came together.

Don't you guys just hate how mini albums explode with embellies and look like they are gonna fall apart anytime? Well I do. So yea, I love how the luggage holds the album together and protects it.

Oh and look at the transparent box adhere to the backpage of the album! It's actually the packaging that holds the japanese papers that were used for the pages of the album! Now I have space to store those little bits and pieces of ephemera and what-have-yous! Innovative idea yea? Thanks Merdrey for the tip!

Haven't figured out what sorta photos I'm gonna put in here though... Any suggestions?

p/s: see that pretty pink with white accents chipboard alpha stickers that spells "mori" and "hodie"? Those are exclusive American Crafts Chipboard Alphas that only the local scrapbooking store Papermarket carries. Sold no where else in the world cos it's a collaboration between AC and Papermarket! If you are interested in purchasing, they are selling at $9.90 per pack. I can help purchase them, just drop me your request in the comment section :)

Walking With Nature Mini Album

2011-02-10T07:31:00.000-08:00

Loooooovvvveeee this album to bits! This album was made using ONLY 7gypsies Conservatory papers! Well... ALMOST. Just one little pebble, 1 chipboard swirl from K&Co., 2 prima flowers, 1/4 of a sheet of wood "paper" and... that's it! The rest are just paper! With lotsa inking, stamping and fussy cutting!

See the flowers? These are handmade using the 7gypsies paper cos I couldn't find flowers of suitable colors. Not too shabby if I may say so myself. Considering that this is my first time making flowers!

Here's some fussy cutting. Cut out those flowers and vines from an 8x8 sheet of Conservatory paper. In fact, all the little flowers throughout the album were cut from the same sheet :) Maximise usage!

More fussy cutting! I am quite the perfectionist. And almost drove myself crazy snipping those little vines and flowers. Haha. But I love how they turned out!

Opps... Have not matted these pages yet. Oh well... I'll get down to it another day. For now I'm happy just looking at the inked pages!

Page on the left was created overlaying old dictionary paper onto pattern paper, then ripping the top layer off, revealing the bottom... Then inking like crazy.

Page on the right was created by inking distress ink over beacon's advanced craft glue. The glue acts as a resist to give that circular border effect. A little something I learnt from Sharon :)

Love the little wooden frame I created, photo slips right in from the top!

What do you think?! I really do heart this messy, inky, muddy looking "nature" album to bits!

Live Laugh Love Staircase Mini Album

2011-01-25T22:03:00.000-08:00

I have something fantabulous to share today! (Thanks Drew!) Look at how beautiful this mini is! The colors are gorgeous! And every photo matt is machine-stiched :) Pretty eh?!

Lotsa prima flowers to go with the beautiful prima mixed collection papers! And I love the alphas. Tim Holtz Chip Block alphas. If you have a Sizzix, this is a must-have. I've already planned to use this on a 7gypsies mini album that I'm working on. Will share! :)

The scallop edge is done using Tim Holtz Sizzix Die SCALLOPS On The Edge Alterations.

Awesome stuff Tim Holtz comes up with! So looking forward to his upcoming new releases at CHA!

Collection Altered Multi-Drawer Trinket Box

2010-12-29T20:48:00.000-08:00

December Project! Altered a Multi-Drawer Box by Karen Foster.

Embellies were mostly just buttons by Graphic45, with a couple of metal embellies from Tim Holtz. Of cos, the little drawers require pattern paper to cover... October Afternoon papers were used here, but you could always use scraps! Budget eh? haha

See the border that looks like wood? Thought it's real?! Aha! Gotcha!

A technique that I learnt from Sharon. Rub the length of a candle down kraft cardstock. Remember not to hold the candle like a pencil and draw. Next, rub distress ink over the cardstock. I use Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink here. The candle wax will resist the ink and there you have it! Woodgrain!

Another method would be to paint the surface with acrylic paint using a dry brush (preferably a damaged brush that has dried paint on it). Then just run distress ink over it. The uneven surface created by the brush can mimick woodgrain too!

Have fun!

Early childhood education

2010-12-25T06:55:00.000-08:00

So I was reading this column on the daily newspaper and the columnist was talking about sarcasm in children. And how his 4-year-old son will roll his eyes and say "...And there were two bears" before walking away. That was his equivalent of "talk to the hand." Hilarious.

I thought that was good haha. But this article is even better. Talks about how 2 siblings were not allowed a pet dog (or animals in general) and decided to adopt a housefly just to get back at their dad. A pretty good read. Here. Check it out :)

Digressing. That's also the story behind the name of this blog. I have a newborn baby boy. And was gonna blog and scrap about him, and thought "...And there were two bears" was a pretty cute blog URL. I like sarcastic kids. You want to laugh and strangle them at the same time. Haha.

Sweet Sweet Moments Altered Post-it Board

2010-12-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

I WON I WON I WON!

There was this voting contest on Facebook, and the prize is this altered post-it board by Jaz... AND I WON IT! Thanks to like the 60-70 friend who voted for me! Love ya guys!

See see see! Pretty right!

Hmmm... I have no use for a post-it board though... so I'm gonna alter the post-it part of it into a calendar instead, and attach a DND sign to the bottom of the board, and hang it on my room door. Can flip to the DND sign when I am *ahem cough cough* pumping breastmilk or feeding baby. Hehehe.

Perhaps my sign should read "Gourmet @ Work" instead of DND hehehe.

Angels Altered Box

2010-10-31T20:09:00.000-07:00

A pretty romantic box in Webster's designer Jaz signature style. Pretty much?!

Jaz's original design was meant to be the album cover of a 6-page accordion fold album actually. But I never quite like accordion fold albums cos I can't jam pack them with embellies due to the nature of the folds. So I decided to make it into a box instead.

But... it isn't just a box! Look! here's the show stopper! Jaz original design came with the hinges as embellishments. But I thought it was a waste that they weren't functional, so I made a secret compartment under the layerings! Good for those little jewellery and stuff! Weeee....!

I really liked the layers of this box cover, so i translated the design onto a 12x12 layout for my dearest Granduncle and Grandaunt. Am closer to them then my grandparents, cos I was brought up by them since I was 2 months old :) Much love!

Rusty Treasure Chest

2010-09-01T09:20:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered my new favourite place, a local scrapbooking store called Laine's Papeterie. What caught my attention was this rusty looking treasure chest that was on display. I was subsequently told that there was gonna be a class held to create this little treasure. Overjoyed!

When I say rust, I meant those oxidized bronze kinda "rust". Not the reddish, dirty kinda rust. Something like that.

So here's what I completed in class.

A close up pic. Pretty realistic rusting eh? :)

Since Sharon (the instructor) was kind enough to share with us her technique. I'll spread the love! :) Here's how.

To create the rusty effect:

1. First, ink chipboard or cardstock with distress ink.

I used Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress Ink.

2. Then use a stamp with busy designs and stamp randomly on the chipboard/cardstock with embossing ink/glue.

3. Emboss with a greenish embossing powder.

I used the Aqua ZING! Embossing Powder by American Crafts.

4. Rub Timbre Brown Staz On Ink over the embossed chipboard/cardstock.

TADAH!

I'm a happy girl :D

Oh wells... I was telling da hubby about my "new" hobby when I got home from class, when it dawned upon me that it isn't exactly a newly discovered hobby. But in fact, it's just... ART. Something that was once a big part of me, but was buried and overwhelmed by work and the mundane. I graduated from an Art College, but haven't been in touch with anything artsy fartsy for the past 3 years cos I'm working in the PR field now. The lack of artsy stuff in my life is slowly devouring my soul. I'm glad that I'm rediscovering art, and rediscovering myself in the process :)