My First Post as Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador - Fairie Dust Magical Door

After all the traveling within SE Asia, finally I'm back with my very first blog post as Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador. As much as I'd like to stay consistent to update my blog and YouTube Channel on a regular basis, unfortunately I'm still very much stuck with other commitments. Till I iron things out, very soon I hope I'll have more time to stay focus on things I want to do.

Without further ado, let's go straight to what I've created for Graphic 45 as this June #G45Selfie challenge. I'm reviving my past tutorial that reflects my style of creating in the kind of craft I'm into. Sharing here is re-creation of a magical fairy door using Fairie Dust collection via a video tutorial I created previously as Graphic 45 DT member. 

Believe it or not, I'm not a huge fan of purple. Simply not a colour I'll fancy the most even it's consider a royal colour that used to cost 3X more than gold centuries ago. Despite the fact that purple is not my colour of choice, I hardly restrict myself from using purple for creating. To give the door a magical feel, I used a gold as a complementary colour to match with the pastel purple. Practically speaking, I'm probably using the "most expensive commodities" for this magical door. 

And here is the video tutorial in how to create this magical door. This tutorial merely show the technical aspect in creating this door and I leave the embellishing of the door open so that you can create the kind of magic you want without restriction.

I've provided some practical tips in how to embellish your door over at Graphic 45 blog, do remember to pop over to get these handy tips. For your interest, below is the list of supplies I used for this project together with links to where to get them:

• Graphic 45 Fairie Dust Collection (12"x 12" Kit, 8"x 8" Pad)
• Graphic 45 dies (Large, ATC & Flower, Regular & Gear)
• Graphic 45 Ivory Tags (Large, Regular, ATC)
• Graphic 45 Shabby Chic Drawer Pull
• Tim Holtz 8" x 8" Metallic Kraft (Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Spellbinder Donna Salazar Doll Accessories Etched Dies (fairy wings)
• Own stash (1/8" satin ribbon, golden dresdens, buttons, fairy resin)

New Brews Over at my Etsy Store

For those who are unaware, I do have an Etsy shop since 2009. Since it has been quite some time I'm "tidying up" stuffs in my Etsy store, I felt it's time to do some "polishing" in my store as well as listing some new items. Not much, just 2 items which are the latest creations I've made for this year. 

One is the Pryotechniques steampunk mini junk journal, and the other is the Buxom Fairies Sconces decor. Above is an orientation video on the junk journal I'm selling at my Etsy store. 

In order to continue the kind of work I'd want to do, I do hope to earn some money in order to fund my passion. I not asking for much but your little support will serve as an encouraging platform for me to continue this. I'm also hoping I'd be able to offer some kits or more tutorials for sale online. If there's feasible technology and when time permits, I'd very much to go into online teaching to supplement the videos I'm creating on my YouTube channel.

On top of these 2 new listed items, I'm offering clearance sales on some of my past projects as well which most of them are listed up to 50% off. Do hop over to my shop to view more. I shall see you guys very soon again as I come back for my first project with Graphic 45 as their brand ambassador.

Pryotechniques; A Steampunk Junk Journal

For the past 14 days or so, apart from making adjustment to my schedule, I was also busy with something new and interesting. It's also one kind of project I've been wanting to attempt. After much hesitation, without giving myself further reasons not to do it I decided to go ahead churning out some mojo together with some inspired magical potion - I finally produce a STEAMPUNK JUNK JOURNAL!!!

Ta-DAAA!!! Here it is!!! My first attempted junk journal, Pryotechniques; that's how I addressed this pilot junk journal of mine. Of all the possible attention I might get (as what "pryotehniques" is being termed as), I fired out a face instead using various design elements I could find within the steampunk journal kit from Traci's shop, Ephemoire... 

This is probably one of the most challenging part in creating and took me about 2 days to come up with the entire concept. The process in doing up the book and bookcase wasn't the most difficult part, it's often the preparation and conceptualization part that juice up most of the time and creative brain cells. 

As I was figuring out how to get a junk journal done up, it took me quite a while to get all the pieces together. I may not be someone who is really good at making pockets and envelope inserts, so for the very first time, I decided to opt for simplicity. Yet the process involved was phewww.... It took me around 7-10 days to get this done up after researching and watching several junk journals tutorials and ideas. Nik the Booksmith is one of the many videos I've watched to get most of the inspiration. 

In order not to disappoint, I also had done up a time-lapsed video in how I altered the bookcase cover, providing fresh inspiration in how I compose a face out from the various design elements I found within the journal kit. Catch the video below to learn more...

Though it's not a full 5" x 7" journal book as intended for, I find such a handy size much easier to handle as a junk journal newbie. Everything was made from scratch - the covers and pages are all constructed using various cardstocks, vellum, printer papers, vintage and pattern papers.

A pair of butterfly charms in between the pages...

At the end of the day, I'm pretty satisfied how the book has turned out. This whole creating process has indeed encouraged me more to create more books as such. And yes, I'm thinking of making more and would love to explore more techniques in doing up more interesting junk journals. 

Thank you so much for being with me for this very first junk journal attempt and I do hope it will also inspire some of you to start making some books. Below is a list of supplies I used in making up this junk journal, with links to Traci's Etsy shop as well as other supplies I used to create this book.

List of Supplies:

• From Traci's Ephemoire Shop (Up and Away Steampunk Printable Journal Kit, Watercolour Butterflies Digital Clipart)
• Bazzill Basic Walnut Cream Cardstock (Amazon, Scrapbook.com)
• Aleene's Always Ready Tacky Glue (Amazon, Blitsy)
• Ranger Inkssentials Glossy Accents (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Ranger Archival Ink in Coffee (Amazon, Blitsy)
• Tim Holtz Distressed Ink in Frayed Burlap (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Tim Holtz Flourish Stencil (Amazon, Blitsy, Scrapbook.com)
• Tim Holtz Sketchbook Tissue Tape Set
• 7gypsies Architextures™ Mixed and Match Bee Book
• Own stash (vintage handwriting and assorted stamps, dictionary and vintage papers, hot air balloon bronze charm, ornate transparency frame, lace and gold trims)

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!