Thursday 27 November 2014

Virgin Big Shot Trial on Thanksgiving...

For those who have following me on my Facebook and Instagram, you probably know I finally got myself a Sizzix Big Shot... Yes, after 2 years of procrastination, I managed to get one yesterday and I got it at a pretty good deal with my Spotlight gift voucher... It's a $40 off, so after the deduction I paid $89 (~USD68) for it that comes with an extended multipurpose platform and a set of cutting pads...

My new crafting toy - the Big Shot...

After that, it was the exciting part - playing with my new toy... For someone like me who never use a die-cut machine before, this was seriously a "BIG" event... I know once I own a Big Shot, I'll venture into dies which is one of the reasons why I refused to get one previously because it will burn my pockets deeply... Hmmm, timing was kinda right; Black Friday is just round the corner and alot of sites are having an early start... With all the good deals such as Tim Holtz Texture Fades embossing folders offering as cheap as USD1.26 for a pack of two, and Sizzlits as cheap as USD4 each, who couldn't resist the temptation?!? I AM definitely factoring I don't have a library of collection yet... Indeed, with all the excitement in exploring all other crafting possibilities, I bought a total of 30 dies and embossing folders during this Black Friday sale... Ouch!

Alright, after getting these great deals (even it had burned my pocket), suddenly I had this sense of satisfaction and I feel complete... While I'll need to give the merchants some time for them to ship my orders out, I seriously can't wait... With all the excitement hovering around me, I desperately want to attempt my virgin trial on the Big Shot.. Thankfully, I've a few Thinlits and Framelits in my DT package, thanks to the generosities of Graphic 45 and Sizzix... Woohoo!!! Yes and I excitingly cut my cardstocks, sandwiched them and run through the machine... Then I heard a "thug" sound, at that moment I was like OMG!!! Did I broke my die?!? I quickly passed through the entire cutting pads and extender and was taken aback to find that my die is still intact... So why is there a sound?!? Concerning that it might damage my Big Shot, I contacted one of my scrapping peeps and she told me it's an indication that the die had performed its cut onto the cardstock... I was also told by her that I may develop a liking to the sounds of Big Shot... LOL!!! Is that a kind of creative stimulus??

Nonetheless, I finally performed my very virgin trial on my Big Shot!!! I'm a happy camper!!! So now sharing here my virgin Big Shot project using Elegant flip-its card Framelits and Graphic 45 Botanical Tea paper collection... For someone like me who is not really good in making cards, this card Framelits definitely make cardmaking so much easier... It's indeed one such virgin project performed on Thanksgiving...

Hope you guys enjoy what I've shared here...

Cheers!!! And happy crafting!!!





Wednesday 26 November 2014

Upcoming Prima Class at Made with Love

It's coming to end of 2014, time really flies... To welcome 2015 and to offer more fresher inspirations, I've designed this mixed media altered notebook for my next upcoming Prima class at Made with Love... Happening this late December and early January next year...

For this time round, I'm shifting away from project-based lessons to technique-based classes, this is to ensure scrappers who attend my classes will get to learn something... I'd have to bring across to scrappers that this may not be a pure beginner's mixed media class as this involves creating of a vintage background before embellishing... There's intricate fussy cutting involve as well..

Below is the promotional collage and pictures of the project you will be learning and taking home... I hope to see you guys again!!!

Cheers!!!







Thursday 20 November 2014

Shimmerz Design Team



Working on paints and mediums is always on my list and I always love to explore more, to learn more and discover new techniques... It's also one way to train my creativity brain cells and in hope I can extend my skills and teach...


I've heard so much about Shimmerz and finally I'm in their Design Team next year... So exciting and hope I'm able to bring in more inspirations..

Cheers!!!


Wednesday 19 November 2014

My Graphic 45 DT Paper Crafter's Library Spotlight

Today is my turn to be on the Paper Crafter's Library Spotlight as a Graphic 45 DT member.. All thanks to Graphic 45, as their DT member we will at least get a chance to be featured in such amazing crafting blog...

What I'm sharing is this handmade butterfly necklace together with this altered box... Using Graphic 45 retired collection, Secret Garden and Graphic 45 Staples, I created this exquisite gift for one of my close girlfriend who is currently facing some tough times in her marriage and perusal as an actor...

I'm not someone who is really very good in accessories making, and seriously this butterfly pendant is my very first attempt... I've seen several projects using embossed metal pieces and perhaps I should give it a try... So I embossed some floral designs onto the metal butterflies using an embossing gadget I borrow from my friend... I was so afraid it will damaged the embosser, but luckily it didn't and it worked!!!

This little gift may not help or improve her situation, but I hope it will give her some sunshine in her life, brave her heart up and fly like a butterfly...

Hope over to Paper Crafter's Library to view more pictures on this project... There's a prize pack awaiting to be won, so don't forget to do so...

Good luck!!!




Monday 17 November 2014

A Typographic Grunge Altered Bookend for Core'dinations & Graphic 45 Blog Hop



On today's Core'dinations and Graphic 45 Blog Hop entry, I'm sharing this altered bookend which was orignally built by my youngest sister as part of her Design & Technology school project... We managed to find this bookend at a drawer near her desk one day while doing some spring cleaning back in my mum's place...

To give this book end a new lease of life, I decided to alter this bookend as a gift for her... Using some embossed clock images on Photogenic cardstock from the Core'dinations Signature Series as a texture foundation, I white-washed it and added on tons of metal staples and embellishments to achieve this typographic grunge look… Typography certainly has some interesting verses that I find it applicable to serve some wisdom for my sister - a reminder that life is not just about dreaming and hope for the best, but to live, laugh, adopt, encourage and be genuine… Patience is key and hope this sentimental altered piece will serve as a good life reminder...

I've also created a video tour in how I came up with the idea in altering this bookend as well as concept behind... Hope this will give you some ideas in how to alter pieces as such...

Happy altering!!! Cheers!!!













Saturday 15 November 2014

A Lovely Triptych; Sentimental Piece for my Niece

Today on Clear Scraps blog post, I'm sharing this lovely triptych featuring my niece and her newly married French husband... Using the sweet pastel colours of Graphic 45 Time to Celebrate paper collection, I created this really simple but yet enchanting triptych for her... Because the photo that's taken by her friend, Mattew Seah is really sweet and simple, I do not want to overly embellish it and just added a little damask texture to it... And of course not missing the fluttering butterflies...

This couple is really tall I should say and I'm glad that my niece has married a man whom she truly loves... I wish them happiness in their marriage and hope she will like this...

Here is the list of supplies I used to create this project:






Thursday 13 November 2014

Upcoming Pion Workshop at The Art Republic

Finally, The Art Republic is back with workshops!!! Those who have been missing my advance and torturing classes, it's time to catch up...

Introducing my very first Pion class!!! I adore deeply the shabby chic colours palette from Pion and to move away my Graphic 45 vintagely shadow, I decided to come up with something sweet and dainty using their Shoreline Treasures collection... You can use this to store your accessories or any keepsake... It's gonna be something functional...

Happening this December, and it's only a one class run so better book your seats before it's too late...

See you guys around!!!








Sunday 9 November 2014

Handmade Holiday Blog Hop


Handmade Holidays 2014 Hop Logo

Welcome to the final day of the 4th Annual Handmade Holidays Blog Hop! We hope you enjoyed the projects from the last 2 days! A few years ago we were looking online for handmade gift ideas and thought it would be great if there was a resource dedicated JUST to handmade gift ideas. Enter the Handmade Holidays hop! 

We've gathered over 100 of our creative blogger friends in the craft industry as well as some of our fellow product manufacturers to bring you a plethora of inspiring gift ideas you can make now to give to your friends, family, and colleagues... Pin and bookmark these ideas for this holiday season and to use throughout the year! Each day of the hop features approximately 30 gift projects and you can "hop" from one blog to another to check them all out...

Today for this Handmade Holiday Blog Hop, I'm sharing this specially handmade 'Twas The Night Before Christmas kaleidoscope, something fascinating for this Christmas... Decided to do some upcycling altered craft that's educational and fun... Ready to be gifted to a very young girl, a friend's daughter of mine...

In front of the packaing is this cute origami bow that hangs several socks which I fussy cut from the paper collection... Building a kaleidoscope is not that difficult and once you know the trick you can have lots of fun...

A Snapguide tutorial is available for the making of the kaleidoscope...

Sit back and enjoy!!!

Here is a list of supplies in how to make this:
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Papers (Happy Holly-Day, Ho Ho Ho, Jolly Old Elf, Merry Mistletoe) 
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas 6” x 6” Patterns & Solids 
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Tags & Pockets 
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Chipboard 
  • ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas Stickers
  • Acrylic Mirror 
  • Kitchen Roll 
  • Acetate Sheet 
  • Tracing Paper/Vellum 
  • Gems/Snowflakes Brads

Check out How to Build a Kaleidoscope by Katie Z. on Snapguide.





Are you ready for lots more creative handmade gift ideas and projects??

Follow along on our blog hop! Simply click on each of the links below to be taken to that post with additional information and photos on how to create a handmade gift project. Have fun and pin away!!!

Clearsnap
Westcott
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L
Ellison Educational Equipment
ICE Resin
Neat and Tangled
Therm O Web
Walnut Hollow
Elizabeth Craft Designs
Rowland Technologies
Graphic 45
Hydrangea Hippo
Pink and Main
The Buckle Boutique
Tami Mayberry Art & Design - Tami Mayberry
Jamie Dougherty - Jamie Dougherty Designs
Elizabeth Craft Designs - Raquel Mason
Meagan - The Charming Farmer
Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L - Angela Ploegman
Carolyn Dube - A Colorful Journey
Pink and Main - Mistyana Wright 
The Buckle Boutique - Niki Wilson
It’s Sew Lorine - Lorine Mason   ‎
Therm O Web - Andy Knowlton 
L. Grace Lauer - Uniquely Grace
Clearsnap - Meihsia Liu
Oh Snap Lizzie - Lizzie Sanchez
Graphic 45 - Katie Zoey Ho (You are Here!)
Charity Wings
ICE Resin - Tatiana Allen
Polly Carlson - Pieces by Polly
Ellison Educational Equipment - Jan Hobbins
RoseRedd Paper Studio - Rochelle Washington

Follow our Handmade Holidays Gift Ideas Pinterest board for even more inspiration!!!

Follow Jennifer Priest of RainMaker Media Works + Hydrangea Hippo's board Handmade Holidays on Pinterest.   

A huge thank you to our sponsors for this hop - please visit their blogs & websites below and follow them. And be sure to come back tomorrow for another 30+ amazing Handmade Gift Ideas!!!

Handmade Holidays 2014 Hop Logo SPONSORS 300dpi

Clearsnap || Ellison Educational Equipment || Walnut Hollow || Graphic45 || Westcott || ICE Resin || Therm O Web || Rowland Industries || Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L || Pink and Main || Elizabeth Craft Designs || The Buckle Boutique || Neat and Tangled

Additional Sponsorship provided to bloggers by:

Sakura || Fairfield Processing