I have not gone!

I haven’t updated in awhile due to; firstly the camera battery charger going suddenly missing. It was upsetting and a right pain trying to find a replacement but I managed to rope in the help of a more technologically savvy significant other and finally got a workable replacement (A few of the cards I created in the time have unfortunately just gone to the recipients without being photographed); and secondly, I’ve also started doing scrapbook layouts as opposed to just cards. I have done these before but there is a marked difference in how much I’ve progressed! I must add that scrapbooking is a completely different ball game and I won’t be posting my layouts online just yet- not just because I need more practice but also as some of them have very personal anecdotes and pictures.

As I unfortunately have no card eye candy for you at the moment- suffice to say I will be rectifying this deficit very soon! I have in no way abandoned my crafty-ness! (lol) If anything, I have told myself I need to do atleast one crafty thing a night no matter whether it’s a workday or not! It will ensure that I have the practice I need and the escape for sanity that is so important when you’re a stressed out worker! So whether it’s a scrapbook page or a card, tonight I’ll be stamping.

Proud member of Stamps of Life!

I am finally a proud member of Stamps of life. My first club set should be on it's way but of course I've already got a few sets I purchased prior. Scroll down to see my cake card with an SoL set!

I also made this FFAAASST card for our intern Kari who was leaving and she loved it. Can't wait for the monthly goodies. If you want to find out more about this awesome stamp club- click the link on the right!

Commissions, commissions... and then some!

Had a lot of commission work to finish these past few weeks. Sharing with you some of the ones which are relatively safe to share (not too personal!) and some cards I just made for fun! I've received some really awesome stamps this past week. My orders from Oxford Impressions and Stamps of Life arrived (although one set seems to have been waylaid and I still check the mail everyday for it!) and Alvin has dutifully brought another 3 set of Sheena Douglass U-mount Create-a-scene stamps made for Creative Expressions. The sets have vastly enlarged my cardmaking scope. I am just so pleased with them I haven't gotten round to breaking them all in!

Anyway, without further ado!

1) Cheers! Using the Pub set of the U-Mount Create-A-Scene series.
They are quite simple but the masking and use of three different stamps as well as the lovely embossing packed a punch. Quite like these even though I had to make five and was rather bored at the end!

2) Using the Cake2Build set and Wishes4Birthday (I think that's what it's called! hehe) set from the Stamps of Life I made this birthday card just for fun. I wouldn't usually pick up plain stamps like these from the stores but after watching Stephanie Barnard of SOL show how using the stamps in different ways can make such adorable cards; I was sold! It's so cute!

3) This simple card was made using my new Oxford Impressions Beau Monde stamp set. The quality of these stamps are so good- they create such crisp images with hairline detailing. Would definitely recommend these!

4) Last but not least, the card I made for Dots that I just love! It uses a fountain stamp from the Regency U-mount Create-a-scene stamp set and the dancing couple from the Jane Austen Oxford Impressions stamp set. A bit of masking, distressing, die-cutting and stamping and voila! I have to try this in different colours!

Stamper Obsession

I take a break from my usual posting of card creations to talk about my love for stamps; all stamps. To put it crudely, I am a regular ‘stamp slut’. I have no loyalty to any one brand and sometimes, though I love a particular designer, I many not necessarily like the stamps they peddle. I used to think I was more a vintage girl- preferring sketched images of historical fashion and furniture but I soon found the versatility of having more cutesy, cartoon designs or sometimes just random flowers, birds and houses.

I do so love Crafter’s Companion – they carry the wonderful Sheena Douglass stamps I adore as well as the Peter Rabbit series. Also for my sketchy, vintage look needs I turn to Artistic Outpost- a small mom-and-pop kind of outfit where the stamps are designed and made in their home. The best part about finding such makers is that you can be sure they make designs they like and not just to suit the masses. There’s also a nice ‘exclusivity’ element because they are not so widely available. Similar to Artistic Outpost is Oxford Impressions. Designer Suzanne Melvin creates gorgeous vintage-inspired stamp sets. I’ve been coveting these sets for yonks now and finally got the nerve to order them. They should be on the way to me as I type and I am crossing fingers they make through the mail ok! I’ll of course, be crafting with them as soon as they arrive to show you.

For fresher, cutesy designs I do love Penny Black’s range of animal stamps. The quality of the stamps mean that any ink- chalk, pigment, anything- works great. Also, because I am a bit of a cheapie, I get really cute stamps sets from UK craft mags. Papercraft Monthly, Cardmaking Magazine and some other’s which the name currently eludes me (hehe). I have gotten a nice Popcorn the Bear, Henry the Hedgehog and Pink Petticoat Stamp sets from these mags just to name a few. I love watching Stephanie Barnard on the Stamps of Life and have just ordered some of her stamps as well which should be on the way as well.

My main rule is to not have any loyalty rules when purchasing stamps. I buy what I like no matter the brand. I have recently tried a set of Crafty Secrets and was blown away by the quality and crispness of the image produced. I’ve had some not so great stamp sets (won’t name them here so it was a very welcome addition). Even a brand like Fiskars which is more popular for their scissors and cutters, I’ve found make great stamp sets. I’ve got just one from them and I do love it so it does help to be as exploratory and adventurous when it comes to trying new stamp brands!

My stamp collection is not nearly as large as I’d like it to be- but I love the few that I have because I bought it for the right reasons and not just out of loyalty to a particular brand. I’ve always been that way about most things even doll collecting.

Mix, mingle and most of all, enjoy your stamps!

Picture Perfect

I had a whole set of Thomas Kinkade postcards from a calendar set last year that I thought would make brilliant centrepieces for a card. I love how the painting just steals the entire show. Thomas Kinkade is an American artist who paints gorgeous English cottage and countryside scenes! He also has a range of Christian Motivational quotes and scriptures to accompany some of his art in books and puzzles.

Sounds like free advertising but if you do like Kinkade's work, do check out his gallery in Bangsar Village II! Even if you don't have RM5000 lying about for a painting, you can buy calendars, jigsaws, books, mugs (sometimes) and canvas prints for under RM500. I am always all for supporting the Arts!

Thomas Kinkade Cottage Card (made specially for someone I love!)

When the Moon Hits your Eye like a Big Pizza Pie...

That's Amore!

I still remember Sunday's with Dad. Riding in the car listening to Dean Martin as I ate some cake or ice-cream and thought of all the nice places we were going to go and the presents I'd get! Yes, I was very spoilt, and pampered but so terribly Loved!

So in the spirit of Love, the Filial and the not-so-filial, I made this. I know- clichéd red and pink- but I am a girly girl after all!

The next commission

Another commission... Friend really liked the stamp on the card I ruined so I thought I'd try again. Really like how this one turned out. Especially the scalloped edges done with a cheap craft scissors! Who'd've thought?