Sandy Ang : papercrafter

Still playing with my favourite thing from the Studio Calico february main kit. Made a name card and matching holder for my Scrapping Studio post. I find it ironic that a Sassafras project ended up being the most clean and simple design.  

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Sassafras Exclusive Paper SC10008, American Craft Cardstock Ash, Dear Lizzy Epoxy Stickers
Stepping Stone Supplies : MME Everyday Funday Neutral Rhinestones, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set

So Crafty

Last year I made a bunch of ATCs at a crop. Instead of trading them normally, I used them to alter drinking glasses. Each glass was given away holding some sweet-scented lemon balm. Seeing the orange poppy paper in my Scrappin Studio kit inspired me to scrap these photos.

Lots of tabs in this layout. The main photo is held up by an actual metal index clip. I mat several papers below the photo and added phrase stickers along the side to create the illusion of more tabs. A journal card partially hidden behind the smaller photo mimics a longish tab. To break up the trapped white space I added two doily halves. They subtly echo the cup-shaped flowers in the borders and are mirrored by the ghost doily print in the paper. 

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Sea Breeze, Sassafras Exclusive Paper SC10009
Stepping Stone Supplies : Authentique Gathering Bloom & Diction, Crate Paper Paper Heart Love Letter & Romance, October Afternoon Farmhouse Journal Card
Others : 7 gypsies index tab, doily

Flip Flops

It's Sunday and time for some new Scrappin Studio projects. First up is a layout inspired by a challenge posed by my fellow Artfull Crafts designer Louise. She mentioned how some designers have a signature style that makes their layouts instantly recognizable. Since we both knew of the 'Marcy Penner' look, we agreed to each do a layout in her style.  


















The photo is a bit gimmicky. Here's how we did it. My niece laid down and propped her feet against a bougainvillea shrub. Pointing the camera upwards, we got a shot with nice depth of field 'beneath' her new flip flops.














Salmon from the Dreamy paper and the butterfly, and beiges from the journal cards tie in beautifully with the sandals in my photo. This journal card with it's bright scarlet border was added to give my project a boost of colour. The Thickers were painted the same red and positioned to form a visual triangle anchoring the photo.

But in the end it's still a every 'me' design where a strong visual triangle dominated instead of her trademark edge-to-edge rectangle design. Louise, I think, achieved a much better 'Marcy' result with her Superhero layout. Hope you'll go over and check it out here.


Linking up to these parties

Daydream Believer Supplies : Dear Lizzy Neapolitan (Delightful Bouquet, Sea Breeze, Hazy Horizon), Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, American Crafts Natural Thickers,  The Gilded Bee Handmade Butterfly
Stepping Stones Supplies : Ocotber Afternoon  (Farmhouse Journal Cards,Buttons),  Authentique Petite Type Square, Marcy Penner Snap Shot Badges
Others : acrylic paint

2 OOH! Cards

Anyone miss Sassafras ? Many pretty things, cool things, clever things were shown at CHA Winter 2012 but I'm missing the quirky that Sassafras used to bring to the mix. I'm partially consoled by their two exclusive papers included in the Studio Calico February kit that Scrappin Studio sent me.

This went out to Sharon & Liz

The woodgrain paper I've used on every project so far. The other is an exuberant chevron. I paired little snippets of it with yellow diagonals and pokka dots. Then stamped the OOH! as an additional graphic element. Had such a wonderfully playful time creating these two celebratory cards.

Linking up to these parties

Daydream Believer Supplies : Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC10008, Pebbles Happy Day Steeping Stones Supplies : Crate Paper Delivery, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp

Bon-Bon Holders

One day while chatting with a fellow designer, she mentioned she's not a fan of pink. That got me thinking about using unexpected colours for a Valentine's Day project. I saw manufacturers releasing collections with lots of grey this CHA which prompted me to make these treat-holders for Artfull Crafts.

The Courting paper from Lily Bee has a nice tight pattern that works for smaller size projects. One piece of 12"x12" paper will make two of these 2.5"x2.5"x2" boxes. The labels are simply strips cut from a journalling card.

Wishing one and all a very Happy Valentine's Day ! 

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Lily Bee Head over Heels (Courting paper, Index Journalling cards), Vandoros Chloe Ruffled Ribbon Ivory, Fundamentals Ribbon Trims Moss

Delighted by You

An eclectic pocket card for Scrappin Studio today. My love for stationery supplies show through on this project. I'm continuing to explore the greens and beiges in the kit - adding a healthy dose of  yellow to the mix.

This went out to Donna

One way of stretching my kit is to utilise packaging materials. The Studio Calico stamp package has a deep chocolate header that complemented the rest of my card. Turned upside down, it worked nicely to anchor my collage.

I'm really quite pleased with it. However, not having a central focus and a very small (easily overlooked) sentiment, this type of card is not everyone's cup of tea. What's your preference : a quirky card or something more traditional ?   

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer Supplies : Studio Calico Mini Frame Stamp (packaging), American Crafts Dear Lizzy Epoxy Stickers , Dear Lizzy Neopolitan Hazy Horizon, Pebbles Candy Bag,  Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, Gilded Bee Handmade Butterflies 
Stepping Stone supplies : Authentique Gathering Diction sticker, October Afternoon Farmyard Journal Cards, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set, MME Everyday Fun Neutral Rhinstones
Other supplies : baker's twine

Valentine on a Budget

For the month of February Lowri set a blog theme of LOVE, LOVE, LOVE over at Artfull Crafts. Since I love to craft on a budget, I created these four Valentine cards and two gift tags using just US$9 of supplies (plus some bits and bobs from my stash).



Here are the four the MME Love Me products I used : Die-Cut Accessories Sheet, Doilies paper, Love paper, Pink Hex paper.  And a pack of Kaisercraft Crimson Sparklets. Virtually everything was used up for my projects so hooray for not growing my stash pile.     



Sweetie I Love U paired a check panel (from the Doilies paper) and an xoxo panel (from the Pink Hex paper) with various die-cuts. Embellies from my stash included push pins, buttons, cabuchon flower. Everthing was then glued down on pink cardstock.


This was for Amy

These two tags could not be easier to make. Just popped out the die-cuts and glued them together. Only the large doily required fussy-cutting from the Love paper. Thread on some pretty stripe ribbons and I was done.

Smitten went out to Cheryl

The cardbase for Hugs N Kisses is the ledger pattern from the Love paper. The upper part is covered with the red Doilies paper and a tag filled with a whole pack of Sparklets. The rest are die-cuts.


This was for Jaime

To see detail pictures of my other two cards scroll down to the next post.
Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : MME Love Me (Doilies, Love, Pink Hex, Die-Cut Accessories), MME Lost & Found (Market Street Lovely French Stripe, Die Cut Accessories Sheet, Lovely Buttons), Cosmo Cricket Odds and Ends Scraps, Making Memories Paper Reverie Sienne Baubles, Kaisercraft Sparklets Crimson, Berisfords Candy Check Ribbon Red, crochet flower, push pins, other ribbons

Using Large Scale Patterns

Here's a product tip post I did for Artfull Crafts. Some cardmakers shy away from 12"x12" papers with large scale patterns for fear that they will overwhelm the smaller canvas. So prettiness like these are left out of their supplies list.

MME Love Me - Doilies

Kaisercraft These Days - Generation

Lily Bee Head Over Heels - Swoon

For those looking for new ideas, here are three ways to incorporate larger patterns in your cardmaking.

#1 - Use as a Background. Here I covered three-quarters of my card with the Doilies paper. This works best when you don't put a large item in the middle of the area selected. Instead chose your area so that large items are cut-off around the edges. The result is the mind's eye extends the boundaries of your card.

This card was for Jaime

#2 - Create a Shaped Card. Fussy cut the largest pattern from your paper and use it as your cardbase. You need not use the whole image. For flowers and doilies, just fold over part of the pattern to create a straight edge.

This card was for Sherie

#3 - Layer it Beneath Other Items. Here I tucked two doily halves below my sentiment. And added a large doily beneath the bingo card to create an interesting asymmetrical shape. This technique allows the images to be used partially which is less overwhelming.  

This card was for Sylvia and Keefe

Artfull Crafts has a Love themed challenge this month. So why not check out the details here and send them your Valentine projects. The winners can expect to receive brand new Kaisercraft goodies from the CHA 2012 Winter releases : Tigerlily and Technologic.  

Linking up to these parties.

Puppy Love

Sketches : are you a fan ? I must admit I used to have creative block whenever I'm faced with one. Then Sherie of Scrapping Supplies Online introduced me to Becky Fleck's cardmaps. One look at the sketch Sherie chose for her February sketch challenge had me reaching for some Sassafras paper borders. Within minutes I made this card.


This is for Jen

Opting for a horizontal treatment, I turned the sketch sideways. The card has little twists such as using a text print to mimic the stripe pattern in the sketch and replacing the rosette with flag tails with an apple tucked under the border.

Who knew sketches could be so fun ? If you are inspired, check out Sherie's challenge here. The winner gets to walk away with an A$25 store voucher.

Linking up to these parties.

Sassafras Supplies : Elle's Love Time Flies, Paper Crush Love Notes, Ymmy Vintage Dear Darling, Cherry Delicious Winsome, Pocket Full of Rosies Sweet Treats sticker, Via Air Mail Paper Whimsies, Garden Bits Orange Chipboard, Razzle Dazzle Paper Whimsies,
Others : Basic Grey Sugar Rush Glazed Brad

Trimming Pothos

After hearing scrappers go on and on  about Studio Calico, I finally got my first kits! Jamie from Scrappin Studio sent me the main kit Daydream Believer as well as add-on #4 Stepping Stone. Every Sunday this month I'll be posting projects created with these goodies.

We are smack in the middle of monsoon season in Singapore. All that rain encouraged my garden plants to grow like crazy. So last weekend I tackled a list of horticultural chores - including trimming back the pothos (or money plant).



This 8.5"x11" layout captures the moment when the chores were done and I could put my gloves and tools down. Seeing how well the garden looked made all that labour (and aching back) worth while. The design is inspired by Leslie Shewring's mood boards.



My product choices were driven by the colours in my photo : green, cream, orange and black. I printed "GARDENIIIING" in Gills San MT Condensed font on the Sassafras Exclusive Woodgrain paper on the left. The "Pothos" title was created with American Crafts Natural Thickers. A micro brush allowed me to apply layers of inks where I wanted on the raw chipboard alphas. One topcoat of Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist added a nice shimmer and shine.



Scrapping Studio is hosting a monthly challenge and the February prize is an Into the Woods main kit. Hope you'll go over and check it out.

Linking up to these parties.

Daydream Believer supplies : Bazzil Kraft cardstock, American Craft Ash cardstock Sassafras Exclusive paper #SC100009, Dear Lizzy Neapolitan Delightful Bouquet paper, American Crafts Natural Thickers, Studio Calico Mini Frame Stamp, Dear Lizzy Epoxy Sticker (packaging)
Stepping Stone supplies : Authentique Bloom paper, Authentique Gathering Diction sticker, Crate Paper Paper Heart Delivery paper, Marcy Penner Snap Shot Badges, October Afternoon Farmyard buttons, vintage Stockyard Number Cards, Studio Calico Alphabet Stamp Set (packaging)
Other supplies : paper clip, white cardstock, inks, mist, thread

Scrapping Kits

I'm excited to embark on something new in 2012 : scrapping for a Malaysian kit club owned by Jaime Lee. Scrappin Studio has been supplying Studio Calico kits to Asian scrapbookers for over a year now.

These kits are amazingly popular, selling out within minutes of their monthly reveal. So I'm pinching myself that every other month, I'll get to play with them for Jaime's kit club.   

I'll be joinning these other designers on the Scrappin Studio 2012 Design Team :

Agnieszka vel Bellaidea (Ontario, Canada)
Jaz Lee Soo Hui (Singapore)
Kai Lun (Singapore)
Kaori Watanabe (Hokkaido, Japan)
Marina Khong (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
Rachel Clarke (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)

We Love, We Chose

Inspired by the lush green of my garden, I jotted down the idea for a card based on shades from nature like olive, stone and jade. The result was this card which also reflect my thoughts that day - to be more conscious of my daily actions.


This was for Helen

Design-wise I explored the power of 'white' space (in this case more accurately 'green' space). Frames play a part in most of my cards. Here I used two of them. The inner one was a conventional metal keyhole frame. The outer one was a three-sided circles frame.



My favourite find among my stash was some Kaisercraft Journal rub-ons. I dispensed with the frame and applied the journal lines to mimic stitching. A time-saving technique that gave a finer finish than my wonky sewing. Know I'll be using this method again when I want to create subtle hints of randomness on layouts.

Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Making Memories (Passport Fragile, Stripe), gcd Studios (Artsy Urban Butterfly, chipboard sticker, die-cut border, epoxy sticker), American Crafts Mementos Dedication metal frame, Simply Luxe label, Crate Paper Mia poxy buttons, Hambly On-Edge screen print, Kaisercraft Journals Rub-Ons, push pins

Beauty

Now that manufacturers have revealed their CHA Winter 2012 releases, older collections are being put on sale to make room for new arrivals. It's a good time to pick up things that I loved but hadn't had a chance to work with before.

This card went out to Sarah

I went online shopping and got a ton of Teresa Collins to play with. Her things are so classic and timeless, they can be mixed and matched across collections which is something I like to do when I'm just creating for myself.



Some might say chandeliers and cameos aren't trendy anymore. I'll admit to not being one for jumping onto a trendy bandwagon quickly. It takes some looking, some internalising before something that's fashionable in scrapbooking makes it onto my projects. How about you ? Are you an early adopter of scrappy trends ?



Linking up to these parties.

Supplies : Teresa Collins (Timeless Pink Stripe & Die-Cuts, Posh Die-Cuts, Welcome Home chipboard), Basic Grey Sultry rub-on

On a Laundry Line

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who played with paper dolls. She dressed them up in different costumes and imagined fantastical lives for them. That girl grew up and one day received a wonderful package. Full of potential for making more dresses to charm other little girls in her life.

Reality isn't far from the fairy tale. When Rachel wanted Paper Doll banners from the Ruby Rock-It designers for the CHA Winter 2012 booth, I thought little dresses would show off that collection beautifully.



I used fuchsia as the dominant colour in my banner. The collection had a deep grey damask pattern which I added to several of the dresses. This lead me to use the subtle salmon-and-grey diamond paper from the Wedding collection as another key element in the dresses.

Clear rhinestones replaced buttons on my dresses. Their cool sparkle adds a nice dimensionality to the retro-style dresses, each of which were suspended with giant safety pins, making it seem like they were on a laundry line .

I believe it's the first time I've used all the embellishments in a collection on one project ! In my DT application I told Rachel it'll be a pleasure to work with Ruby's embellishments. And true enough the variety of shapes and textures worked together really well.

Linking up to these parties.



Ruby Rock-It Supplies : Paper Doll (PD04 Cardstock Sticker, PD11 Ribbon, PD28 Floral Accents, PD29 Patchwork, PD35 Felt Icons, PD42 Chipboard Alphabet, PD50 Tokens, PD59 Border Sticker, PF67 Collage, PD99 Dotti ) Wedding (BWB70 Beloved, BWR54 Rhinestone w/ Silver Rim)