A French Carnival Sweet Paper Jar

Good day everyone! 

I'm so glad despite of my recent erratic hours, I manage to squeeze some time in between to showcase an interesting way in how to embellish a paper jar using the various dies from Spellbinders for Canvas Corp Brands' Product Match Up series. This will be especially useful if you're their Club Kit members.

I've this French Carnival idea at the back of my mind with an attempt to do up a Parisian concept-base project. I deliberately chose red and ivory as my main colours and would love to do up something sweet for a friend and sister-in-Christ. Without much consideration, I decided to do up another paper jar, based on a tutorial I did for my Graphic 45 Ambassador Audition entry last month. To give the jar a some dainty look, I added some Tresor de Luxe laces around the jar before embellishing. Move over to Canvas Corp blog here to view how I get all this done up! 

So here is the final product (with more pictures below) which I've already gifted to my friend on Sunday for her birthday. I filled up the jar with some sweets and small gifts within the gift box prior in gifting, which are not captured in the pictures here. However, this can serve as a good gift idea that's one of a kind; handmade and nowhere else available for purchase. After all sweets are consumed, the jar itself can be continued used as it labelled as or to store other things.

The top of the lid...

The gift box...

Using an eye bolt screw, I hang a small tag with handwritten birthday wishes beneath the lid that further make this gift a more personalized one. Well, that's how I used the various Spellbinders Club Kit dies to compliment and match up the various papers from Canvas Corp. If you're not or yet to become Spellbinders Club Kit member, you can simply sign up as a new member and get 15% off your fist kit by using this coupon code: CLUB15. As good as it'll last, therefore do sign up before it's gone for good!! 

Below is a full list of supplies I used for this project together with various links in where to get them:

• Canvas Corp 12" x 12" papers (Red & White Mini Dot Reverse, Red & Ivory Ribbon Stripe, Black and Ivory French Script)
• Spellbinders Fretwork Accent Die (Amazon, Spellbinders)
• Spellbinders Club Kits (Domed Treat Box set, Holiday Frame set)
• Tim Holtz Kraft Stock Metallic 8" x 8" Gold & Silver Cardstock (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Bazzill Basic Walnut Cream Cardstock (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Ribbons (old gold shimmer organza, ivory satin with gold metallic trim edge)
• Tresor de Luxe laces (white flower applique, Venice lace trims)

Always Love, Love Always - A Poppy Heartfelt Card

Alright, after months of delay with held ups, etc., finally my pilot Canvas Corp post went live. I'm sharing here today a poppy heartfelt card that I made for this month watercolour challenge. I also did up an easy-peasy tutorial in how to use various Tattered Angels products to watercolour stamped images. Click HERE to find out how.

I'm using the Poppy Heart stamp from IndigoBlu as the main focus of the card. Because poppies are red in colour, I contrast the background with a variety of blues, using the various texture papers from 7gypsies Architextures paper series as well a few drizzle touches of Frozen Berry Twinkle Me'lange, one of the complimentary goodies gifted by the owners of Little Birdie Crafts. Can you see how it sparkle that "special effects" on the card?

Well, aside creating this card for the watercolor challenge, I decided to gift this card to one beautiful couple from Texas I met 2 weeks ago while they were here for missionary work - John and Carla Moore! It was via John Moore's Searching for the Truth programme I managed to find my way to the LORD's church. The one True Church where I get to meet many Christians around world where we are all bound by one faith and one truth. Christ's Church is without border and that's the beauty of the LORD's church. It's indeed one such blessing to be part of this amazing big family of God. LORD's willing, I got to meet him this year together with his lovely wife, Carla. They are back to their home in the US, and till next time we will surely meet again...

Me with The Moores 😄

All the biblical virtues of Love which I dedicate to the Moores...

I hope this will be a refreshing idea in how to use various Tattered Angels mists and paints for watercolouring. Again, here is the shout out! The watercolour challenge is open to everyone till 4th June. The winner of the challenge will be invited to be Canvas Corp Brands Guest Designer. Meaning to say, you will get a box filled with goodies from all 3 Canvas Corp Brands to play with should you crown as the winner. Without much hesitation, do hop over HERE to enter the challenge.

Below is the full list of supplies I used for this project with various links in where to get them:

• 7gypsies Architextures™ Mixed Media Pack (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• 7gypsies Architextures™ 8″ x 8″ Paper Pad
• Architextures™ Parchment Rub-On – Inspire
• Tattered Angels Naturally Aged Kit - Rusty Metal (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• Tattered Angels Calendar Mist Kit - Kisses (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• Tattered Angels Color Wash Paint Faux Finish - Verdigris (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Key Lime Pie (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Curious (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist - Cork (Amazon, Canvas Corp)
• IndigoBlu Poppy Heart A6 Stamp
• Little Birdie Crafts (Twinkle Me'lange in Frozen Berry, Chipboard Vine)

That about it for today and I shall see you very soon again for my next tutorial. Therefore, do stay tune!

Grow Where You're Planted; The Carrots Spa

It's May and it's coming to mid of 2018! Time really flies super fast! So fast that within a blink of an eye, April is gone! Oh well, been really busy busy and busy for the past 2 weeks. Though there was a little sad news along the way, I had a good rest in between before I get myself to create.

Therefore, for the beginning of the month of May, I'm sharing this cute little diorama project as part of my pilot also the last for Tresors de Luxe DT project, as Lucy has decided to disband the blogging team. Quite sad to hear as this don't seems to work out for her in a way. However, I wish her all the best. I'm also using some of the flowers and pastel papers from Little Birdie Crafts which are generously gifted by the owners of the company for me to try.

I got a carrot! #HereIsMyCarrot #BunnyUnderConstruction

A post shared by Katie Z. (@katiezoeyho) on Apr 1, 2017 at 5:09pm PDT

I made this wool-felt bunny last April, supposedly for a Easter project. As it can be seen here, it wasn't attempted at the end. Rather, for a good whole year it has been decided on a different form of project. It has been quite some time I'm attempting a diorama project, but for this it's probably one of a very different style I'm trying out for the first time. It's also my very first attempt using hand drawn illustrations on a diorama project, as if the bunny is in a cartooning carrots world. Hmmm, that's practically the idea behind. Well, took me a while to figure out in how to blend in the elements.

This is a long overdue work in progress project and I managed to get it done. Phew! One project off my PhD (Project half-Done) list! And here I present The Carrots Spa, where this cute little bunny guy get himself planted within and grow!

So here is the little guy, submerging himself in this cosy little mud tub of spring greenery filled with carrot sparkling essences. And a big carrot besides him! Look how glittering those carrot essences are in that wooden bucket?

Imagine the whole carrot spa is situated deep under the barrow, a place where the bunny can go under to have some relaxing time, out from the outside world. Isn't this too cute in the little bunny world? I've this little imagination at the back of my mind as I created this. Simply couldn't wait to complete that wild imagination of mine. And I managed to dig it out. 

  

The spa interior and mud tub are furnished with luxurious vintage laces and the wall is hung with huge loads of carrots illustration; all drawn and painted by me. The floor is well carpeted with green bushes that will give your soles a warm cushy soft feel, good for bunny feet! This really shows how much care was taken into consideration.

Foliage and clusters of various flowers draping from the top to the back of the spa, as if they are the fauna and flora planted within, derived from the earthly ground above. A cute little wooden ladder by the side for anyone who wish to climb up to view the lovely flowers above.

I've done up a very short video orientation on this project which was filmed at the very last minute without much planning as I thought perhaps it might be better to show how the project is like in motion. Well, it seems that the lighting wasn't that great and I apologize that the video is a little fuzzy to view. Nonetheless, I'd still very much wanted to share it, hence decided to go ahead.

Here are more pictures of this guy in his mud tub!

Hmm munch munch the munchy carrot!

 The mud tub is altered from an espresso cup which I got it in a $2 shop.
I love such good deals! 😄

The bunny in his carrots sack!

Bucket of carrot sparkling essence, overflowing with glitter!

Oh well, so much more I'd like to tell the story in details but I think this is good bite size. Otherwise, you peeps will be bothered by my lengthy story. Below is an extensive list of supplies I used for this project with links to various sources in where to get them. Sometimes, there's some great deals and discounts offered by Amazon.com and it's one of the places where most of the past season products are still very much available. 

List of Supplies:

• Finnabair Art Basics heavy gesso in white (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Finnabair Art Basic clear gesso (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Finnabair Art Basic modeling paste (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Finnabair Art Basic light paste (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink in brushed corduroy (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Prima Marketing Watercolour Confections: The Classics (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Prima Marketing Watercolour Paper Pad 3 (Amazon, Blitsy)
• Prima Marketing Shabby Chic Treasures Metal Door Signs
• Prima Marketing Metals for Wood Plaque (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Prima Marketing Cigar Box Secrets Laser Cut Wood Icons
• Ranger Sticklers (glitter glue in orange peel, dry fine glitter in paprika)
• Little Birdie Crafts flowers and pretty pastel papers
• Tresors de Luxe ivory lace trims and fabric chiffon flowers
• Miniatures (wooden kitchen accessories, ladder)
• Spanish moss

That's it for today, and I'll be back soon for upcoming projects. Too many to show and I can't wait to share. 💖

I'm back with Graphic 45 as their Ambassador!!!

I was eagerly anticipating for the announcement since last night, clicking to refresh Graphic 45 Facebook page as well as their blog to check for updates. Notice that there's a 15hr difference between us, the wait to see whether my name will be on a the list was like the very moment I collected my GCE 'O' Levels results slip from my teacher when I was 17; eagerly to know how well I fair. Couldn't hold onto the calling towards the sleepy Lala land, I turned in subsequently after I'm done with my Canvas Corp project submission. Prior landing onto my bed, I did a final check and I'd have guess it won't be out that soon. 

Early this morning at 5:30am, when I saw Charee's email in welcoming us to the team, I was thrilled!!! This piece of news couldn't get any better - I made it back to Graphic 45 again as their Brand Ambassador!!! And I'm really shouting out here, seriously feeling excited all over again after a 2 years break with them since 2016. It felt like it's the beginning from the end. As I tracked back in how I got myself to audit for Graphic 45 for the very first time to getting into their team, I feel as if my history with them is still very much alive. 

Nevertheless, I'd want to believe this will be another great fun year with them. Also, my heartfelt congratulations to the rest of the Ambassadors (and old friends within!). I'm looking forward to work with everyone for this year. Follow me on my YouTube channel as I'd be very much wanting to share more via this means, in hope to further encourage and inspire. I shall return very soon...

Graphic 45 2018 Brand Ambassador Audition

The moment is finally here... Despite of my rather tight schedule recently, I managed to get this posted in time hoping I'll get a chance to be considered to be part of Graphic 45 again. Missing all the fun I had previously, it was a good rest in between and I'd want to take this opportunity to come back and provide more creative inspirations. Heading straight ahead, here are the projects I created for this audition.

Project One: Cafe Parisian Candies Paper Jar (step-by-step tutorial)

Earth day is approaching (22nd April) and I think it'd be good to do up some upcycling project and transform them into daily useful items. Besides being a "junk collector", I do keep quite a number of disposable items which I find them as potential upcycling objects. And those jumbo toilet rolls are one of them which I kept many of them. For they are sturdy and hard enough, they provide very good bases for jar making. 

Notice a little butterfly among the flowers?

May it for your pantry storage or even as a gift, it doesn't cost that much to do up one. Trust me, it's not going to be that difficult. You just need to be a little patient while working on it. I decided to do up a step-by-step tutorial which is more clear than video tutorials.

Supplies List:

• Graphic 45 Cafe Parisian Paper Collection (12" x 12" paper pad and 6" x 6" pattern & solids)
• Prima Marketing Royal Menagerie Flowers (blue sprays and velvet leaves) 
• I Am Roses Mulberry Flowers (roses and lilies)
• Trims (fabric laces and pastel blue organza ribbon)
• Bazzill Basic Walnut Cream Cardstock
• Spellbinders Shapeabilities Fancy Tag Dies
• Upcycling Materials (jumbo toilet rolls, assorted think and thick cardboards/chipboards)

Project Two: Nature Sketchbook Merci Beaucoup Butterfly Duo Cards

The very next project I created are these duo thank you cards for a lovely couple who is coming to Singapore from the USA this week. Using the Nature Sketchbook paper collection, I made these dimensional cards using a pair of butterflies denoting the loveliness of the couple onto the contrasting patterns of the papers.

Supplies List:

• Graphic 45 Nature Sketchbook Paper Collection (12" x 12" paper pad and 6" x 6" pattern & solids)
• Graphic 45 Core'dinations Signature Series (ColourCore Cardstocks in dark cashmere and spring green)
• Tim Holtz Kraft Stock Metallic 8" x 8" Gold & Silver Cardstock
• Conqueror 100gsm High Quality Woven Finish Paper
• Spellbinders Club Kit Dies (Holiday Frames, Welcome Autumn Wreath)
• Trims (gold foil organza ribbon, double satin green/yellow ribbon)

I hope these have been a good source of inspiration and pleasing to the judging panel for this audition. I also wish all participants the very best for this year audition as well.

Cheers!!! And keep on creating to inspire!!! I shall see you all very soon again for subsequent creations and tutorials...