Page after Page…

Not posting much these days, but that does not translate into not creating. In fact, here’s a post filled with pics. BUT before we get to that, thanks for all you well wishes and for sharing my joy! I’m throughly blessed by al lthe opportunities I’ve received of late in the world of creating. Before I post pics, allowed me to invite you to join us at Zutter for a Blog Hop! The OZZ Ladies, ie, the pioneer, original Zutter Zisters are having a blog hop and just by leaving comments, you might win some yummies for yourself!

First up, here are the pages created for Pink Sketches for the last few weeks, which I have been slow to post.

That’s Sketch #48, which celebrates the time spent with my bro-in-laws and sis-in-law bowling during Boxing Day last year. I certainly miss them heaps!

Next up, a cheerful happy page of our trip to Jervis Bay to do some whale watching. It was absolutely delightful and we enjoyed ourselves throughly, from the beautiful weather, to the whales, food and friends we made.

Last but not least, this week’s, marking it Pink Sketches’ #50, it’s Sojourn, a reflective page, as we trust the Lord to lead us. As sojourners through life, uncertain of what the future holds, we can only pray and seek His face… These days, we learning to do a lot more of that, knowing that ultimately, we can control nothing…

Not sure if you remember an earlier post where I mentioned how the Beloved and I love to make a special purchase for significant places we visit? For our honeymoon to Penang, we bought Mr Royal Typewriter, which I have not mentioned nor introduced to the world…yet…

Say hi to Mr Royal Typewriter, whom I fell in love with the instance I laid my eyes on him. Do the Write Thing! A page created as an ode to my honours year thesis on Righting Myths….

I’ve got loads more to share, but they will have to wait for now, as I return to the process of cutting, sticking and getting myself messy. Thanks for being patient and do stay tuned!

I Like Surprises

A little while back, a kind Lady, Ellen, emailed me about this layout. Was I surprised to find out today that I’m featured on Core’dinations’ blog! Thanks Ellen for this feature. You have truly made my day=)

In the same vein, here’s a shout out to the ladies who have been so generous with your comments and praises. To Kate, Felicia, Huimei and Ros, let it be known that your words never cese to put a smile on my face=)

Here’s a recent layout created to utilise pictures that I had of the Beloved and I. You know how it is that often, after developing pics, we change our mind about which ones to include in a layout and we end up with a pile of pics that do not belong to the same event? Well, the Zutter solved my problem in this instance, where I scrapped about being Bound 4ever.

The owires served as an excellent embellishment to complement the message on this layout – that of how we’re united for life, a commitment we made the day we started dating. If you notice the top left hand corner, the equation there is not the result of my poor arithmatic.

 

When you flip it open, it actually reads:

Tah dah! There’s a little surprise journalling there. And of course, more journalling at the bottom corner, where little embellies were tied to the owires:

I say this layout was one of those where I really had loads of fun creating, not that I do not enjoy the others, but this one was challenging in terms of including different items to reinforce the subtle message and the layout, be it the frames overlays, the wires or the cherries…

Okie, since I’m on a roll, more surprises. While playing with the owires, I decided that my scrapping supplies should become wearable art as well. So this was what happened:

When worn on my wrist, here’s how it looks like:

How’s that? I should try to make some earrings soon with the wires….another challenge..=)

Finally, another one of those ideas that caught my fancy – a mobile featuring the weather! There it is, hanging from our porch:

Closer view of the top, where the wires were used as the main structure of this creation.

 

Phew! That’s a lot of pics in one post! I hope you had as much fun looking at them as I had creating them. =) As for me, Im just waiting for more surprises=)

I Can Count…

Pop-ups never cease to amaze me. I tell myself that when I have my own children, I’ll see to it that they have a good collection of pop-up books – and possibly mummy will be making them. Now, now don’t start guessing, I’m not pregnant, at least I don’t think I am=) So for the last week, I’ve been imagining and enjoying the entire process of putting this book together, “I Can Count: 1-5″. Come join me on this counting journey.

So here’s the cover. THe entire book was bound using my beloved Zutter, which ensured that the pages will be held together forever, regardless of multiple handlings. Notice the little birdies? They’re our pal as we learn our numbers, through each page. So count with me now…

1 big, blue flower, blooming in the sun.

See the ruler below the page? That will help us keep track of our progress=)

2 kissing birds, very much in love.

Ok, the Beloved cautioned on how appropriate is it to have this in a children’s book. My stand, teach them early on the real meaning of love. Parental Guidance=)

3 Tall Trees, reaching for the skies.

Get your tongue moving, pronouncing each word clearly as you go along…. I like a little alliteration.

4 beautiful butterflies, flying higher… and higher… and higher…

We’re progressing….see if you can remember what 1,2 and 3 were…

5 barking dogs, running round and round.

I love to see how the doggies are all about, barking their heads off. If you’ve made it to this point, well done! You can count!!!

Okie, that’s enough from the teacher for the day. It sure feels like I’m re-living my days as a teacher again. Thanks for humouring me my dear reader. You have a good day=)

When the Engine Starts…

One of those things which I have on my to do list is of course, to be more regular in my posts… While loads have been happening in my life, my blog posts have mostly existed in my mind, hoping that somehow, somewhere, there’s some technology that will transmit my thoughts to posts… Before that actually becomes a reality, the only other solution will be for me to write diligently and keep posting my pics….

With more time on my hands now that I’m Down Under, I’ve been on a roll where creating is concerned! That makes me happy! Being in a place where Kaisercraft is produced, one of the first pages scrapped pays ode to there latest range, which I find to be really gorgeous – Royal Dutchess.

 

While I don’t usually enjoy pink, this was a good exercise to get the engines going… While scrapping, I really miss all my toys, which have not arrived – yet…. The shipping company promised to have them delivered today, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed, praying that it will happen and then, I’ll be one happy gal=)

With the remaining amount of paper and some stuff bought at the Craft and Quilt Fair held at Canberra (I had loads of fun!!! Tonnes of inspiration everywhere and some great buys!), here is the layout for Pink Sketches this week, chronicling our battle with the cold…our very First Winter.

 

I love the effect glimmer mist gave to the page, helping to reinforce the idea of the season. Talking about the cold, just the other day, while the Beloved and I were in the car driving and it was pouring, we saw white splotches on the windscreen. What I thought initially as dirty water turns out to be Hail! Wow! Though many have told us that this is perhaps the warmest winter Canberra has experienced (we’re still feeling cold nonetheless), I’ve been hoping for some snow…So hail was the coldest thus far that we have seen – water that have become crushed ice-like in nature, falling. Of course, coming from a sunny island, I knew none of these info, till the Beloved found out in the papers the next day that thankfully, it was not a heavy hale fall, otherwise, our windscreen might have cracked. Interesting to read how school children actually made iceballs to throw at each other when they saw the hail=) My response – I don’t have a picture!!!!

On a seperate note, have I ever told you about Scrap n’ Art? This delightful online scrapbooking magazine is chokeful of great ideas! I’m grateful that they found my creations worthy of their publication. Here’s one that was pubbed in their March/April 2009 issue, one of the Beloved’s personal favourites, “In Our Elements”:

  

This was created, with the idea of including as much green as possible in a layout. So here, our difference in personality is captured, thanks to our wedding photographer who caught this candid moment where we were just ourselves, as we enjoyed our wedding dinner.

Well, need to run now, before the shipment comes in and hopefully, by then, my stuff will all be in place and not only will the engine have started, by the car will be crusing along…. Tah for now!

?

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!