?

Coming up with a title for a page is always a challenge, one that I enjoy and take pride in doing. I’m grateful that the Beloved is obliging, as he’s always involved in the process, as I bounce ideas off him. As lovers of words and ideas, much pain is taken by us to consider the different messages conveyed in our choice of words.

This week’s layout for Pink Sketches is a prime example. Having decided to create a page featuring the Beloved in his childhood, a picture that is cherished in his family, I wanted to focus on his passion for thinking. As I pondered over varies possible titles, the Beloved suggested just using a question mark, which aptly summariesed the essence of the page as well as his personality. His love to think, his passion for asking questions, his courage to say his does not know - all in a “?”.

  

Journalling that is hidden in the library docket reads, “you’ve always had an inquisitive mind. I love this picture of yours – which captures the wonder in your eyes… After all these years, you continue to pursue wisdom through the many questions you ask. We must certainly teach our children to ask as well… 

I had loads of fun playing with the Sassafras Lass papers, especially with all the owl motifs! I like the fact that owls are usually associated with wisdom, hence the papers complement the message of the layout.

  

When Papers Come to Life

On our usual walk to work in the morning, the beloved told me this story about Khing, a master carver, who was asked to create a bell stand for the Emperor. Khing decided to fast to focus only on the craft ahead, instead of considering if he will receive praise or criticism, nor desiring to live up to the expectations of others. After some time, Khing went out to the woods in search for the right tree to use for the bell stand. When the right tree appeared before him, the bell stand also appeared, clearly, beyond doubt. All he had to do was to put forth his hand and begin. When the bell stand was completed, it was so beautiful that the entire city suspected that it was the work of spirits. Yet to Khing, his response was, “I’m merely a craftman who loves what I do.” The Beloved said that seeing me create this week reminded him of Khing. Truth be told, I enjoyed tremendously what I created this week because of the absolutely beautiful papers I had from Graphic 45.

The women on the Fashionista collection spoke to me, as if they were waving, inviting me to join them for an adventure. So this card says “Hi! It’s Time…” The inside says “…to Celebrate!”

 

I fell in love with the rich colors of the flowers for this layout. The blues and reds were a joy to work with and I’m glad they complemented my wedding bouquet. Had fun placing all the buttons on this layout and thereafter sewing thread through them. The vintage feel of the papers made these pictures pop!

 

This now hangs proudly on my kitchen wall – both as a reminder of why I cook, as well as our calling in life to serve and feed those around us – be it physically or spiritually. Just like Khing, these projects came easily because I felt a strong connection with the products used. I simply could not stop creating!

Today also marks my first official layout for Pink Sketches, after being told last week that I’ve been selected.

Continuing with our wedding pics, this was created to remember al lthe heartwork that went into decorating for our special day. These included the church, wedding favors, to my bouquet for the reception up North.

The joy of creating continues this wonderful week, when I checked my email and saw that Shine has been selected to be up on Basic Grey’s Gallery! What a thrill! With that, I’m reminding myself that truly, creating is a process that is regenerative, one that makes me truly, truly happy. Always create not because I have to, but because I love to…

Have a great and sun shiny week! I love sunny side ups (one of those meals that is created because I heard the eggs calling my name=)!

When Creative Juices Flow

As Mr. Rashes refuse to depart from my tortured being, leaving me wincing in itch daily, I’m glad that Mr. Creative Juices has also chosen this time to come! That means that with my hands busy working those lovely papers and scissors, I will not scratch myself – which is a good thing=) So here are some layouts done, which I’m really proud of. First, SHINE.

This page has been brewing in my head for a very long time, ever since the photo was developed. I wanted to create a layout that was rich in color and at the same time represent whom we are. So this was it, very much inspired by the new range of Basic Grey papers – Marrakech which I love tremendously! Those flowers are a beauty and I was immediately drawn to those rich colors and amazing blooms! Loads of time went into cutting out the flowers and layering them. But it was all worth it=) The journalling on this one was simple “established since 2007. “…His banner over me is love…” Song of Songs. Sophie & Kelvin” Wanted it to be minimal, just when we got married and our verse for our wedding. This now sits on the very first page of our wedding album.

Riding on the waves of blooms came this other layout – Mummy.  My mum loves red and big red roses are her fav. With this beautiful picture in mind which I’m so glad the wedding photographer took,  using American Crafts paper (ala carte vinegarette and hollandaise), was a given. The colors and pattern just worked beautifully with the message and essence I was hoping to capture with this piece of work. The journelling on this one reads: “ Mum and I… Over the years, we’ve had our fair share of disagreements, loud voices and cold wars. However, through them all, I know that we truly love each other. Glad that I could give mum a hug and tell her how thankful I am for everything she has done and been to me. I will always remember the times she will check on us in the middle of the night when we’re not well. Mum has always given us the best. I love you…” The beloved loves this layout and as I place it beside my bed, starring at it last night, I can only say that I’m thankful for all that Mummy has done for me… She’s truly one of my heroes…

As I look at our wedding pages, I realised how much of the color choices continue to be inspired by our wedding colors. This was our invite.

Till today, the Beloved still remembers how unceasingly we workedto produce all 600 cards by hand…. That was a lot of weekends of heartwork! Yet, no regrets for I really love how the invites was the start of a magical experience, celebrating our love and our guests could be a part of that from the moment they saw our invites.

The same colors were used in our vows and the guest canvas that was present during the dinner. I used masking tape, paints and inks to create the effect on the cancas and today, these (two of them, one for each of our dinner reception, here and up North) hand proudly on the wall outside our study.

 

 

So now that I’ve finally uploaded these pics, I’m inspired to complete even more layouts on our wedding before more pics come in. At the end of the day, as the Beloved always remind me, I scrap because I enjoy the process and how it helps me relax and channel my creative juices. Here’s to a fantastic week ahead!

Growing Up

It’s strange to be home on a weekday noon. Thankful nonetheless for this rest opportunity as I try to come to terms with the rashes that are plaguing me… Doc suspects an allergy to the medicine I had for my eye infection.
In any case, that gave me the time to d oa little scrapping and was glad to do the following that captures my thoughts for my parents on our wedding day:

I had loads of fun playing with Sassafras Lass papers and just recollecting all the wonderful things my parents have taught me while growing up. Thanks to for the inspiration from Pink Sketches (#18B). Journalling reads: “Dear Dad & Mum, thank you for loving me the way I am, for believing in me, even when I do not. Your care and sacrifices for me are not forgotten. I’m sorry for the many times I’ve failed and disappointed you both, choosing to be stubborn and willful. However, I know that every time I fall, both of you are my cheerleaders, ready to pick me up and encourage me on. As I marry and be a wife, start a family of my own, I will never forget your excellent examples and be there – growing up with my children…”
I just like it when the layout turns out a little playful and whimsical. Don’t you?
Till the next layout, which will hopefully be pretty soon…

Much Needed Respite

2009 certainly started with loads to do! Work has been incredibily challenging with tonnes more to do, as I cope with more responsibilities and deadlines that somehow seem to always coincide. While it has been very exciting to have ideas brewing for the different projects, they certainly take a toll on me….Hence the lack of posts and the inability to really maintain this site, as much as I would like to.
This weekend has been good thus far, when I can finally, yes finally, spend some time to rest and create. Here’s the fruit of this week’s fun:

I love this picture immensely as it captures the rich colors we used that day. With this, I’m glad that our wedding album is growing slowly but surely…
Doing this page makes me want to create another and hopefully, you will get to see it soon here!
I will also be posting some pics soon that has been sitting in my dear cam for some time!
Till then, have a good week ahead!

. Explore . Ask . Trust .

Dear 2009,

as you unfold daily, I will make the effort to enjoy and savor every moment. You will bring me much delight, surprises and change, but surely, I will myself to live you with God’s grace.

You mark for me a year of explorations, with all the changes that are coming. I will continually ask the Lord for wisdom to understand what is best for every circumstance and trust in His sovereign guidance.

Dear 2009, here’s to our time together!

Goodbye 2008

Blessed Christmas everyone! I know this is coming late… But given that I’ve returned home not too long ago coupled with meetings at work, I guess this is the earliest I can post=)

Being with my in-laws for Christmas was fun! We spent loads of time talking and being in each other’s company. I’m really thankful for them as they have embraced me unconditionally into the family.

As I look back on the year, there’s so much to be grateful for… 2008 has gone by way too quickly… Our first year of marriage, managing our own home, spending time with loved ones, opportunities given at work, making time to create, learning to live without a TV set at home… These are amongst the loads I give thanks to the Lord for…

As the new year apporaches, I look forward to an exciting year, filled with changes… They will unfold in time to come…

Have a god-filled, adventurous year ahead!

Beautiful Weekend

This weekend was fruitful. Saturday saw my youth ministry heading to the local park for a prayer retreat.

This was the view of my estate from the park. Lovely, isn’t it? So we spent the day in prayer, seeking God and reflecting on our lives. For me, it was a good break from the hustle and bustle of work as I give thanks for His goodness, as well as consider where my life is heading. In the midst of writing while enjoying a picnic, this little guy joined me:

Incredibly happy that the camera was good enough to capture the details on this little friend. When the day ended in the evening, we were thankful that the Lord held up the skies and though there were times where it threatened to rain, it did not. Instead, we got a gentle breeze blowing through the afternoon (it should have been real hot!) and the Beloved even spied a white hawk (I think) catch a fish from the pond. Wow! We must do this more often. Gives me reason to use my dear picnic basket too=)

On a side note, my new friend, Sophia, who was generous to give a RAK (read this) sent not only what was promised, but took the time to create a card and to throw in some other goodies too! Thanks Sophia! You are a gem! These greeted me when I picked them from the post office:

So my dear Sophia, expect this to reach you soon, as I return your kindness:

This is what I really like about the creative world, where the heart is in the art we create, and we get the prvilege of blessing others. Similarly, part of our daily blessing is the joy that we get to cook our own meals, to know that we are actually provided for my the Lord. So this week’s lunch box stars my first humble attempt at chicken curry.

 

This was prepared on Sunday, where amazingly, because the Beloved and I are learning to sleep early and wake up early, got to cook, clean, read and even go to the park in the evening to cycle! Wow! It was absolutely fulfilling! I’m working on improving my cycling skills and plan to do so in the next few months. So no pics of our cycling trip for now. Instead, as the Beloved would say, “Enough pics for now!” Poor thing, my sole target for shooting!

 

So here’s to a great week ahead and I hope you have one too! We are looking forward to yet another creative and satisfying weekend!

Make My Day!

The last couple of weeks has certainly been challenging at work. Having to prepare papers for the impending exams, marking those that have come in from the tests, managing peeps that are getting out of hand and just learning to be more patient as a teacher… 

With that said, it is times like these that make creating all the more necessary – an outlet for me-time, to re-focus myself and just re-charge myself for a brand new day. Loads have been happening, especially with delightful news.

This arrived happily on a Tuesday after a hard day’s work:

Winning Elle’s Flicker Challenge for September was certainly a pleasant surprise. I had certainly not expected it when I read her blog earlier this month. It made my day and more importantly, reminded me that it’s really not about how layouts I complete. Instead, I need to take the time to thorughly enjoy doing each one at my own pace, playing with the layout and most importantly, pondering over the journalling.

Interestingly, the same layout also won the National Day Challenge at Made With Love.  THese were the stuff I received in the prize:

  

A pat on the back certainly! Interestingly, most of the items in the prize are items that I will rarely buy like rub-ons as they are pricey! I’m more of a paper gal!

Speaking of freebies, received some pencils as a gift that had interesting phrases on them like ‘correcting my mistakes’, ‘needs constant sharpening’… So guess what happened to them… plonked right on this layout:

 

This picture came from the Beloved’s best pal in Canada and I really enjoy listening to them when they talk. It’s like attending a tutorial in University! Definitely thought provoking. So here are the details of School of Thought:

 

I enjoyed creating this layout as it challenged me to consider what I should add to it to unify the theme that’s running through the entire piece. Dream Street’s Wonderland-Magical Moments paper certainly helped! The beautiful snowflakes sparked off my creative juices for the journalling which reads: “Just as each snowflake is unique, the ideas these guys share & generate are one of a kind! Listening to them speak is certainly having a lesson in the School of Thought.” This layout is also going to be submitted for Pink Sketches Sketch #6, and Create’s September challenge that called for us to make use of stationery supplies in our creation.

In the spirit of creating, I have also been thinking of some loved ones and these having been crossing the seas to put a smile on some darlings’ faces:

These travelled to Australia with my parents to congratulate my sis on her graduation. She did really well and got her first class honours in early childhood education! Yeah! Card was created using papers that she loves and of course, piglet was there to congratulate her too. She adores that cutie to bits!

Next up is a card to the land above, when my dear C is.

Been putting off writing to her as there’s really so much I want to say….But yes, finally here goes Mr Owl to say Hi!

Ohhh….while writing this, dear Mr. Postman came along and delivered my Adobe package! Yes, finally, I will have photoshop to play with! Adios for now then! And Yes, I must try to write more often!

re-CREATE-ion

The last few weeks has been good for my soul. Took the time to scrap and to re-energise as I continue to give thanks to the Lord for His blessings. The following was done for Made With Love’s challenge. Aida hosted it this time round and we had to create using paint, glitter etc.

 

This was fun as I finally got round to playing with glimmer mist and went back to one of my al ltime favourite colours – aquamarine!

The itch to create continued and this time round, the following was done using the scrap challenge found at scrap.inspire.create. This layout was done based on the sketch dome by Michele Lui Tan. Again, glimmer mist was used, this time round to alter the cardstock and I finally got to use the cute elephant paper bought a long time back by Basic Grey.

 

Zion is the name of our elephant. He came about after the Beloved jokingly said that I walk like an elephant up the steps. As a result, he received zion as our 1st month gift from me. Zion was so named as God used a passage in Isaiah talking about the city of Zion to speak to me about the Beloved becoming my husband. As such, Zion is a celebration of our beginnings as a couple.

I’m looking forward to a great week ahead and I hope you have one too!