My January Tag for Tim Holtz 12 Tags of 2016

Doing up tags is seriously not really one of my cores. I can take days to complete one tag, though tags are the most easiest to do. Don't get me wrong, I do love tags and I do really want to love making them whenever I could. Just that my creative brain cells are just not that tag friendly. 

Sooo, I heard about Tim Holtz's 12 Tags of 2016 and he will introduce some really cool techniques every month and encourage the community to participate. For someone like me struggling to make tags at some point of time, participating in this kind of activity sounds good to me. Plus, with some "technical rules" to follow, this really saves me the hassle to think. Taking it as another learning curve for me, I'm taking this challenge and here is my take for the January tag...

Quite a pretty last minute project, but better than never...

Oh well, guess I've overdone it yet not exactly using the techniques outlined as there's quite a number of stuffs I don't have, yet I've tons of Tim Holtz stuffs. So I gotta improvised given the limited amount of time I had. Instead of using the foil tape, I used Tim Holtz's kraft-core gold metallic cardstock for the industrious metal technique.

Added quite a number of embellishments, and as soon as I noticed it this is my very first masculine tag!!! Can't help it, how can I miss out gears to match the industrious look? I just need to add some gears.

Despite having so many mixed media stuffs, I don't have any of Ranger's embossing powder. Hah! Tricky! And this left me with not much choice left but to work within what I have. Instead of using the chalkboard technique with stamping, I applied it with embossing instead. And it turned out pretty well! The fussy me just don't like the idea of  leaving the back of the tag as it is, as usual I'll cover and do something to complete the look.

A tag that speaks much about my vision in life. Just nice for this January 12 tag thingy by Tim Holtz, Nice start and I believe it's all about re-learning and imagine the impossible. 

List of Supplies:

• Large Manila Tag
• Black Cardstocks
• Tim Holtz Kraft-Core Metallic Collection
• Tim Holtz Pocket Watches Embossing Folder
• Tim Holtz Compass Embossing Folder
• Tim Holtz Ruler Embossing Folder
• Tim Holtz Possibilities Framelits Die Set with Stamps
• Tim Holtz Metal Mini Gears
• Tim Holtz Game Spinners
• Tim Holtz Light Bulbs
• Tim Holtz Word Bands
• Tim Holtz Philosophy Tags
• Gypsy Soul Lasercuts (Miniatures Gears Borders and Corners, Gears Shape Set)

Some Updates and Some Stuffs in my Store

I think it has been "x" number of times I've been "MIA-ing" for a while then came back with new projects and maybe some updates. Yes I'm pretty inactive since last July as I was constantly caught up with loads of life issues; mainly on the various major changes in both my life and family. 

Little do you know, I was actually going through a tough marriage and was (and still) in midst of separation and divorce since end of 2014. Plus my parents' health are not doing well in particularly for my dad who is at very high risk of getting a stroke. Over the last weekend, my dad was admitted to the hospital as he suddenly couldn't control his movement, collapsed and fell twice - on streets and at home. He was so distraught that he suddenly became a baby, cried in despair as he lost control of his bowel and wet his pants. After a series of MRI scan and labs tests, we got to know he was actually infected with Influenza A virus and the neurologist managed to discover a teeny weeny blood clot in one of his brain vessels. Though the clot is not life threatening enough to cause any physical stroke symptoms, his doctor got him started on aspirin. He was infected with the flu bug and why was he so weak that led him to lost control of himself is something doctors unable to explain to us.

Well, my dad is on cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar control medication. This really speaks how unhealthy my dad is. He is on so many medications that I think it's a little overkill. As I look into the various medications he's taking (very seriously for the very first time), I got to realize the various side effects of these drugs he is taking. One of them in particular (though rarely reported) has an effect on skeletal muscle tissues which the drug will break down the muscles tissues. Perhaps it's the constellation of various medications he has been taking plus the attack of flu bug made him so vulnerable. Though I'm not a trained doctor, I feel strongly that such drugs should be prescribed with care. There has been a huge misconception that patients can totally rely on medications without realizing that these are drugs, and drugs have side effects. They are not elixir or some sort of wonder drugs that can prolong a person's lifespan, unless you are in a condition that you need to be then that's a total different story. A lot of effort has to be made on the patients' side (often on diet and regular exercising) to ensure they are not fully dependent on drugs but using them to assist their current health condition. This is something a lot of us have been taking for granted, unfortunately.

Life wasn't that fantastic for me for year 2015 and the beginning of this year but despite all hurdles I managed to overcome them, one by one. Though it seems that the path ahead is tough, there's always a bright side that I can always look forward to such as creating more exciting projects and be able to share with all of you. 

Oh well, I know this has been a long wait and finally I manage to get it done and make it available. I know some of you are really looking forward for this and I hope this don't come in too late. My STACK SUITCASES tutorial is FINALLY available at my Etsy store! Phew! After a year plus?!?Alright I know it has been quite a long wait. But trust me, I'm probably someone who is able to provide  tutorials with such clarity together with loads of illustrations and photos. 

Tutorial Sample Pages

I don't take short cuts and will make an effort, put my very best to illiterate every step as clear as possible.  For those who had purchased my Suitcase Treasures PDF tutorial, you get to notice a lot of illustrations are digitally drawn by me so that you know exactly what to measure, which paper to use and what to cut. A lot of effort put in and this explains why I charge my tutorials a little more expensive than most others. 

If you love building things, my tutorials are for you. Head over to my store HERE to get a copy. I shall talk to you soon. Have a great day ahead and happy crafting! Cheers!!!

A Fairy Prayer's House

About a month ago, my previous Graphic 45 DT member Nichola Battilana shared her fairy lantern tutorial on Facebook which caught my attention. This practically gave me an idea what to do with some of my pixies diecuts which I've been thinking what I can do with these new Marianne Design dies I bought. 

Subsequently, my new Graphic 45 DT pack came and within my package there's some garden fairy chippies from Gypsy Soul Lasercuts. And I was thinking perhaps I could do up something with these little fairies. Very much wanted to do up some sort of prayer shrine/room/house. With the inspiration coming from Nichola's fairy lantern, I managed to do up this little fairy prayer house for this week's Graphic 45-Petaloo Blog Hop. 

“I Say a Little Prayer for You” was what came to my mind as I built this little house which is made out from the die-cuts of Eileen Hull’s canister XL Bigz. I’m not really a huge fan of purple (neither do I really hate this colour), but the purplish velvet Petaloo flowers literally won my heart. So…. I ended up using purple as the main colour for this prayer’s house using Graphic 45 Children Hour's March montage and calendar papers. 

I fixed a LED candlelight above and made a floral cap to cover the on-off switch. When needed to, just remove the floral cap, on the light and cover it back. When it is lit up at night it is exceptionally beautiful. This would make a wonderful little bedside companion at night.

May you have a peaceful night! I do hope this little project has brought you some joy! Happy Crafting!! Cheers!!

Fussy Cutting Technique using Utility Knife

I absolutely love fussy cutting! I have to admit that I can be a real freak in fussy cutting! Undeniably, it can be really therapeutic. Your brain will just shut off and only focus in cutting, as if your entire world is only about you and your scissors. While investing in a good pair of precision scissors is a must for fussy cutters, for some reasons I do like to fussy cut using my utility knife. Mainly due to the intricate, smooth and detail cuts I can achieve which scissors is unable to.

I didn't realize I've been cutting things the wrong way till I was taking my pattern-making modules during my footwear design course, where we've to use utility knife to cut our patterns out from cardboard and scissors are strictly prohibited. This is where I learned the proper way to cut things. If you didn't use the right tool and cut things the wrong way, it's no doubt it could be a potential health hazard. For this weekend, I'm sharing this short tutorial in how to fussy cut using the utility knife. Sit back and enjoy!

Below here are 2 utility knives I used frequently for all my cuttings:

Martha Stewart Utility Bone Folder

A multi-functional craft tool that allows you to score, trim, emboss and pierce. It comes with a detachable tweezers as well which you can use to pick up stuffs. This tool is also known as the 5-in-1 craft tool. Below is a YouTube review by Jenny of CraftTestDummies.com.

What really attracts me to get this tool is it's versatility, plus the blade itself is extremely sharp. I use this for most of my fussy cuttings which I demonstrated explicitly in my video. While I love to use this tool to fussy cut, unfortunately it doesn't has any auto-lock system in place to hold the blade. There're several occasions where the blade flew off when I exert too much pressure as I cut. SOooo I won't really recommend this tool for cutting chipboard.

I bought this tool at full price and now it seems to me that Martha Stewart is going to discontinue this product, so everywhere is having some sort of clearance at great discounted prices. Great news to those who are interested to get one, but the bad news is the blades don't seems to be available abundantly and they are pretty expensive for a set of 3.   

Amazon.com is selling at $16.99

Martha Stewart Crafts Australia is selling these blades at AUD$6.60

This seems to be really great tool to have, especially when you are travelling. This tool will seriously save you the hassle to pack so many tools into your luggage. I do find the tweezers pretty useless as I don't really use it, mainly 'cos I tend to work on small stuffs and very much prefer a sharp pointed tweezers over this. Other than that, the clean and sleek design does make this a really classy tool to have.

NT Cutter A-300R/RP

Considered one of the best utility knives ever available. Artists preferred cutter, and it's also one of the world's best selling product. The tool has this ABS exterior body which is extremely durable and it's designed to provide a good grip. Comes with Ratchet-lock slider which automatic lock the blade as you push up the blade. Definitely not as pretty as Martha Stewart's.

This utility knife only cost $5.80 at Amazon.com

I got to own this tool from my father about 15 years ago and that's exactly the one I featured in my video. This really shows how durable this tool is and it has yet to fail me. Once you own a good tool, you will very much prefer to use it for as long as you can survive. There's a reason why this NT-Cutter is consider one of the best selling product. Though I didn't really demonstrate how to fussy cut using this tool, the same technique still applies. 

The precision blades are available at pack of 50-100 pieces at Amazon.com. These snap off blades are made of high quality carbon steel which is definitely of a much better quality compared to Martha Stewart's blades. Despite of it's standard duty, I used these blades in most of my chipboard cuttings without much problems though it tends to get blunt easily. 

I'd have to say in the long run, investment in this tool plus the blades certainly has a much better economic value compared to the Martha Stewart's. In terms of the price and durability, you are certainly paying for quality and functionality. Unlike for Martha Stewart, you are actually paying mainly for the brand and design itself, not exactly the functionality. 

Though I do like Martha Stewart products (mainly due to her sleek and clean designs), sometimes I do really find them rather expensive. She does produce some good quality products, however for someone like me who cuts stuffs a lot, it's always better to get a utility knife that's solely designed for cutting.

I hope this has been helpful. If you've any questions, feel free to ask by leaving a comment below. 

Happy crafting and  Good Day ahead!!!

A Puppy Dog House Shadow Box

As I was looking through my past Graphic 45 projects, I realised I didn't share this little puppy project which I did last year. Better than never, so here I'm presenting this cute little project using Raining Cats and Dogs paper collection.

Undoubtedly, I built this little dog house from scratch. Sometimes it's better to create your very own version than to hunt for the one you'd think you could find. Unfortunately, I always didn't ended up getting stuffs I want, so building up stuffs eventually became part of me.

I crocheted this cute little puppy using one type of crochet technique known as Amigurumi (a Japanese term for knitted stuff toys). Ain't sure should I called it a form of technique but you can find a lot of free patterns on the internet.

Well, I hope this late sharing of this project can get you to start building some stuffs out. Along the way I tend to pick up new stuffs to learn. Seems there's seriously A LOT out there to learn and 24hr a day (minus 6-8hr of sleep) is never enough!!!