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!!!

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!!!

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!!!

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!!!

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!!!