I {heart} you Instagram Card

 

Here's a I made for Freshly Made Sketches.

For the focal point of the card, I made a mock copy of "instagram photo" and stamped it a boy and a girl image. I also used decorative tapes as little banners. For an added touch, I made a matching envelop using one of the tapes found on the card.

SKETCH INSPIRED BY:

Some Kind of Wonderful

So glad to be spending time creating in my craft studio after a loooong time. Card designing/stamping took a back seat  while I worked on other interest. But every time I travel to the US, I never fail to drop by Joann's Craft Store to get new supplies because I know one day I will go back on my desk to design and make cards again. 

On Monday night, I decided to visit some sketch challenge blogs for some inspirations. I was just on time to participate to The Paper Players current challenge. Here's my take ...

I complemented the "welcome baby" card with matching envelope embellished with the same paper I used on the card's background.

It is truly some kind of wonderful!

A {text} of Gratitude

Hi there! It's time for another CAS-ual Friday inspired card. Lately, I have been spending my very limited free time honing my barely there photography skills instead of designing cards. I miss spending time in my craft studio designing and stamping so instead of  helping my hubby in the garden this afternoon, I worked on this card using Hampton Art's Hot Fudge Studio rubber stamps.

Thanks for visiting and have a productive working week ahead!

Screaming for Ice Cream

Hot! Hot! Hot!

A heat alert warning was issued in the city of Toronto today as the temperature soared to 29 degrees Celsius. Yes it was sunny and humid but I love it! Reminds me so much of Manila weather. Aside from spending time relaxing in the backyard eating ice cream and drinking mint cafe mocha {recipe to follow in another blog post}, I was able to design 2 greeting cards. Here's one of them...

Obviously the design was inspired by what I have been eating throughout the day.

Stay cool!

Inspired by:

      CAS-UAL FRIDAYS

Gingham

I am so thankful for this long weekend. I needed this time to cross out as much items as I can on my to do list - including spending time in the craft room in between a scheduled out of town trip, grocery shopping, cooking and house cleaning (honestly, sometimes I wonder where do I get all the energy}!

Cath over at Moxie Fab World has a line up of interesting craft challenges like the Gingham Challenge. Who doesn't love a gingham pattern on a card design? It is so versatile and easy to work with.

 

CHEERS!

Mei Ann

A Birthday Wish

My one and only sister Jane celebrated her birthday yesterday so I was inspired to work on this card for her.

Sister, we may be oceans and thousands of miles apart, but the bond and love between us are stronger than ever. You are my very best friend, my confidante and my partner in "crime" *-*.

May our Lord grant the wishes of your heart and more. You are loved ... dearly!

Happy birthday sister!



Theme inspired by:

Incidentally, CAS-UAL Fridays is also celebrating their first "birthday". It's been a year of challenging paper crafters to create clean and simple cards. More power to the designers at CAS-UAL Fridays.

A "Taped" Thank You

I haven't been inside my craft studio for a whole week. My work load in the office is so crazy these days. But tonight, I just have to touch my stamps and inks and do something crafty.

Here is a very simple thank you card {inspired by Embellish "tape" Challenge} for a good friend of mine who gave me something I wanted for a long time.

Give thanks with a grateful heart. ALWAYS!

Opposites Attract

One of my favorite color combinations happens to be on the opposite side of the color wheel - shades of lavender/purple and lime green.

That said,  I used these colors for CAS-ual Fridays Opposites Attract challenge. 

Using a sponge, I dabbed lavender ink on Tim Holtz' Postal embossing folder to create the card's background and embellished it with a darker shade of lavender and lime green butterfly.

There you go, a clean and simple card for my hubby who is currently out of the country.

One more day. Can't wait for you to come back!

Cheers,

Mei Ann

Primary Colors

I love love love this color combo! The Play Date Cafe refers to the colors as daffodil, hydrangea, kiwi and cherry. To me they are as simple as THE primary colors - yellow, blue and red. Combine yellow and blue and you'll get green ....

.... brought me back to my elementary days. That's when I knew I love colors. Names may change but the effect is the same. Colors surely brighten my day!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Color combination inspired by:

Easter Sunday {Linggo ng Pagkabuhay}

Jesus Christ is risen today .... Alleluia

Our triumphant holy day .... Alleluia

Who did once upon the cross .... Alleluia

Suffer to redeem our loss .... Alleluia!

From my family to yours, a blessed and happy Easter!

Mei Ann

Sketch inspired by:

Don't Throw it Away

When I started buying materials for my craft hobby in early 2009,  my hubby said "good, that's not an expensive hobby, you only need papers, glue and a pair of scissors". I smiled and I thought -he had no idea what I am getting into*-*!

Honestly, paper crafting in this day and age is not cheap.  One needs to be savvy in finding ways to create something nice without breaking the bank. It is a challenge most of the time but there are ways to do it. I'm so happy when I saw Paper Crafts current issue focusing on "Practical Solutions" where they showed tons of ideas on how to paper craft on a budget. Moxie Fab is also hosting a series of interesting challenges around this issue: "Don't Throw it Away" is one of them.

It's confession time. I have a hard time throwing things away. I don't think I am hoarder {at least not yet} because the only things I can't get rid of are those related to paper crafting and cooking! Case in point: I keep original packages of scrapbook kits, glossy covers of pattern papers that come in bulk and even sheets of alpha chipboard after using all the letters that were originally attached to it. I know in my heart that someday I will have a use for it ... like this one!

 

I repurposed this empty alpha sheet into a card by cutting the chipboard the same size as the card, making sure that the letters I want are within the frame. Using scrap papers from previous projects, I attached the scrap papers at the back of the letters I want to highlight.

Since the focal point of the card says it all, I just stamped a simple sentiment at the bottom to complete this project.

I'm loving it! Thanks for visiting *-*

Miyako Odori in my Mind

{Photo credit}

On my bucket list is to attend Miyako Odori - the largest and the most famous dance performance of the mysterious geiko {geisha} and maiko {apprentice geisha} in Gion Kobu. These colorful and artistic performances of geiko and maiko happen every year from April 1-30 usually when cherry blossoms are in bloom. I know in my heart one day I'll be there but tonight, I will be satisfied with this card inspired by spring kimonos worn in these dances.

I was also inspired by Moxi Fab World  "DIY Embellishments Challenge" and the sketch from CardPatterns. Using chiyogami papers from my stash, I created the kimono ensemble as my DIY embellishment {collar, kimono dress and obi} for my little "geiko".

 

Another DIY embellishment is the hairpiece, which I did using a small flower lace and attached a pink gem to match the kimono.

Then I stamped  the face using my hero arts Japanese dolls collection and attached it to the kimono.

And ... Viola! My little geiko is ready to perform!

By the way, traditional tea ceremonies are also part of the festivities so I added this tiny tea pot on the simple sentiment.

おやすみなさい
Oyasumi nasai!

Simple Elegance

Clean, simple and elegant. That's what the current Tuesday Trigger is. Who can resist this color combination? Room, fashion or even in a card, this is simply elegance!

Happy Sunday!