CAS cards

I think I've been away from my blog too long...The how or the why isn't important, what is, is that I'm here again and dying to share my cards...All of these have been show on Facebook, easier to upload rather than write big long posts which I don't know how many read!!! Sound like a pessimist do I? That's been my mind frame lately and the reason I did not want to blog.....

That pessimism has no place on this blog, so here I am sharing all my CAS cards...

I had a request to make birthday cards, within the price range of 40-60 Rs, and what better than CAS cards..But they had to be huge...so it was A5 size cards (8x5)

Totally inspired from Pinterest..tried to make a male card (gosh why is it so hard) ribbon is an old RAK from a friend (3 yrs old- hoarding at its best) sentiment - Hero arts

 This one uses my very favorite, wanted for a long time stamp - stamped in purple memento and colored using the same!
Sentiment PTI and butterflies and the tiny dragonfly- Antique engravings!

Love that little dragon fly 

Some yummy cupcakes ...Hero arts - colored with Staedler watercolor pencils..and glossy accents to the hearts!

This color palette is totally outside my comfort zone...screams Govinda to me...but what the heck..it looks awesome!!! Thanks Khush for make me think of such quirky colors!!
Butterflies and sentiment PTI

I have a lot of posts to share, so will do so in the next few days....I have a few baby cards to share, a CD mini for the Swap Central India and my 8x8 album for sisters...which I just finished yesterday...that is why the posts are up now!! :)

Talk to you guys soon!!
P.s. I may not be commenting on your posts, but believe me I read every one of them...A thousand apologies for not stopping by to say hello. 

Why I Chose a MS Score-board

These tutorials/reviews are a product of extensive reading, researching and lots of time spent on making them. Please do not copy, or share on your page (for promoting your items in your shop) unless I give you permission to do so. Please ask nicely....I won't say no...but you need to ask.... You can link it on your blogs if you have used these tutorials...please share the link with me when you do use these tutorials...I would love to stop by and see what you have done! 

I took at least 6 months to decide whether to buy or not to buy the scoreboard, and if yes, which one..the MS(Martha stewart) or the Score-pal. 

http://www.eksuccessbrands.com/marthastewartcrafts/

I am not a fun fold person, neither do I do 3D projects, but yes, I love doing crazy folds on my scrapbook pages...and if I had it, maybe I would give the fun folds a try...

My areas of contention were firstly, PRICE, PRICE, and then usability.

When it came to price, If you are buying from India, you can get it from anywhere between 1300-1800 depending where you buy from. I got a good deal and jumped in...In the end I paid 1500 including shipping for it. According to me, a good price.
If you are buying from the USA, Joann's or Micheals have really great prices, and if you have coupons, you can get it for as low as 10-12$. And if someone can go to the store and buy for you, you save on the shipping too..

The Score-pal on the other hand, isn't less than 2300 in India and around 40$ in the USA...its not easily available at most Joann's or Micheals, you have to order it online, so in the end it comes to around 50$, which was a huge NO for me.

Then comes the USAGE-
I have just played around with CS and printer paper to get the hang of it...and I love it..its everything I wanted. Some people don't like the flimsy scoring tool that comes with the MS board, but that is what gives you the crisp score...Because it is thin and pointed towards the end, it gives a very crisp line...

Photo credit - Valita @http://craftingwithsue.blogspot.in/

This photo shows the difference in the thickness..

Another plus point is the enveloper tool, that comes in to make envelopes. Agreed that envelopes end up being bigger than the card by 1/4th inch or more at times, but I would say something better than nothing on the score pal.

The deciding factor was the grooves on the MS  board...1/8th of an inch apart...fabulous for making rosettes and easier to calculate...no need to keep shifting your paper around ...
I have never been able to find a logic to the grid lines on Score Pal.

Also I like that the right edge of the MS board is open, meaning I can use longer sheets of paper on it, not limiting myself to 12x12 sheets

The only negative thing I can say for the MS  board is, Its flimsy and thin. Which was proven very well, when my scoreboard and Sharda's broke in transit. Her's worse than mine...

So whenever you get it, ask for extra packaging, and don't trust DTDC...this is my third fight with them. One extra tip....Open your package first as soon as you get it, and if it is in good condition, only then sign the delivery challan. Else have it returned back. And do write on the challan slip that it was in broken condition.

My NEGATIVES
for the other negative, coz the grooves are set together, if you try scoring very fast, you might skip a groove...My Solution, TAKE a second more to score, and hold your scoring tool at an angle of 45 deg rather than straight...

Pic copyright Valita@http://craftingwithsue.blogspot.in

The details printed on the tool box on top are pretty tiny..
 And what's with the hard to open door of the bone folder storage..I might break it one day!

So I am heavily in favor of MS scoreboard. Yes its not as sturdy as the scorepal, but as long as it does the work, I'm okay with it.

Long time no see

Its been a month and a half that this blog has been lying dead!!! oh well, blame it on a lot of things...but mostly, I didn't have anything to share!
One month vacation, lots of family issues..and some personal health issues (I had back pain, and before that could heal, I took a tumble down the stairs, so now my bum hurts) ! so that combined into me not wanting to blog about anything...

But I can't stay away...even if it is to ramble, I had to stop by and say hello....and probably share what I've been on a buying spree over here!!

First up I got some of my hero arts stuff!! can you imagine its not inked yet?yeah...shame on me!!

This has been on my wish list for soo long!! finally its here and its huge!!!

 

 These are a part of three set that I got a fabbie deal on ETSY. Lets see how I use them!!!

Another font set that I've always wanted!!!
ETA : I won a 50 AED voucher at Pretty Paper Studio for taking part in their  blog hop, and with that I had to choose this fabulous stamp!! Neelu is dying to see me use this...and so am I...I love it to bit, yet it scares the hell out of me!!
Thanks Neelu!

Then I got my very first lawn fawn set

Then I also got 2 fiskars quotes stamps...
But my bestest buy which I thought I didn't need but I think I'm gonna love it anyways,
My Martha stewart scoreboard! The arrival of which was a sad story, but I'm sure I'll use it and love it totally!!

And something that's on the way is my dearly beloved paper trimmer!! This I will review it up!!! This trimmer, I've been waiting for 2 yrs!! 12x6 Tonic Guillotine paper trimmer!!

That's a lot of spending...and this doesn't count the tiny tiny things that I've bought....my Staedler watercolor pencils, washi tapes, ink pads,  more paper...etc....but mind you....all this was over a period of 5 months...nothing in one month or week!!!
So please don't be jealous...don't type a comment that you're jealous...its understood!! Just tell me you want me to see use it!!! That's all!!

A few projects that will take a long time to finish and will share more of it soon!!

This is a mini album, which I was to finish by may end...but coz of my back pain, couldn't sit for long to to do it...Thankfully my friend is in no rush!! so I can take my time slowly with it! I've done all the tags, but some tags are not to my liking, so will do them again...and will do a tute on this kind of mini, my version of it! :)

Also my CD mini is done, and boy, what an awesome one!! I can't share till it reaches my partner, and goes up on the blog!! But you have to see the inspiration that we're gonna get over the next 14days starting from monday! trust me!!

Do join in the next friendship swap that is up and running on the Swap Central blog!

Till my next post, drool away!!
p.s. i have a lot of wood mounted stamp coming out for sale! keep an eye out!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Today is Mother's Day..and I am so glad my cards reached my two moms...Well one is my mom, and the other is my neighbor..who practically wished I was her girl...and has always been there for me....

There's not much to post today....just wanted to show the cards that I had made for them....

The Blue one for my Chetna mom (She loves  Aqua blue...)

This one for my mom...

Its all Hero arts and papertrey ink ..The Butterflies, flourish background is HA and sentiment is Papertrey ink.

This is how my butterflies float in air...used a paint brush to curl the wings...

Sending these cards to Crafty JC's challenge - For A Special Lady

Lawnscaping Challenges - CAS cards

For the love of Crafting- Recipe Challenge-Bow, stamping, and sentiment

I wanted to show that I used Rock Candy Distress stickles (Brought again from Khyati..) on this card..which is not at all visible...and the best way to show this..is a teensy tiny video...or watch it on youtube


Hope you love it as much as I do...Have a great mother's day...and have a great week ahead!!

hugs, Tee

Blog Candy Winner!!

Thank you so so much for celebrating with me...I had a blast reading everyone's comments..and they made me feel super super happy!!!
Since I crossed 50 peeps for my blog candy, I've decided to offer another candy...a second winner who gets their choice of two distress inks too!!!

so Random.Husband picked out two numbers for me today morning...
No. 5 - Piyu!!!! Yipeeeee - Mail me for your choice of two distress inks..so I can forward the same to Khyati..(do you even need more distress inks?)

And no. 38...Mansi - Congrats!! Mail me for your choice of two distress inks...

Mail me at Tejal2210 (at) gmail (dot) com. You have two days to get in touch with me, else I pass this on to another person! Thank you again!!

And just a sneak peek of what I've been upto for the past 3 days...

 

  

  

 

I had a blast coloring these...and if It wasn't for Khush who guided me step by step while coloring them..I wouldn't have been able to do it so well!! I will put up a whole project, plus a tiny video...which will enable you for something else too...

 

And I do have a set of colors to sell...coz I know they're beyond the scope for me..They're my Derwent Inktense Watercolor pencils- set of 24. I'm asking for 900 for it plus shipping...do let me know if you're interested.  Its in a tin box..and none of the pencils have been sharpened..just barely used.

300th post blog candy!!

Just thought of sharing some love that I've received from you all.. This is my way of thanking you for encouraging me and standing by me through my ups and downs!

So what can you get from me? Two of my very favorite things! Hero arts and Distress inks! I have many things to celebrate...as and when they come along, I will have some more candies...consider this a mini candy!

These two stamps...plus 2 distress inks....Your choice...will ask my favorite seller to get it for you!!!
 (Khyati has always got me my favorite colors!!)


All you have got to do, is put your name down in the inlinkz below...that's it.

You can always say hello to me on my Facebook page
You can check out my new  store  blog - Where I put up my watermarks, cards, and die cuts and some stamps that I need to get rid of! :)
You can follow this blog...but as I said not necessary! 

Candy will run for a short time...two weeks only!  10th May the winner will be announced.
You will have to email me to claim your prize.
or within 2 days, I shall announce another name.

Good luck and Thank you for being along with me on this journey!! 

Buying your first Distress inks!

These tutorials are a product of extensive reading, researching and lots of time spent on making them. Please do not copy, or share on your page (for promoting your items in your shop) unless I give you permission to do so. Please ask nicely....I won't say no...but you need to ask.... You can link it on your blogs if you have used these tutorials...please share the link with me when you do use these tutorials...I would love to stop by and see what you have done! 

Planning to buy your first distress inks? Confused as to what colors to buy? Don’t know where to start?

Do I sound like one of those telebrand ads? I think I do!!

 It is confusing if you have a limited budget and over 36 colors to buy..  I had this post long time in the making! I had a lot of people come and ask me how to buy or how to choose the distress inks!

So I’ll just break it down for you, as to how I brought them. 

Whenever buying inks or paints that have too many shades of colors…pick the basic ones first..then buy one color lighter and one color darker than the one you have…In distressing, it gives you a perfect blend…and in coloring it gives you fabulous shading! 

So having said that…what will be your basics first 5 colors?…

Distressing isn’t complete without Vintage Photo..so that’s your first

 

Then pick one blue, green, pink and yellow. 

So your first ever colors could be (This is how I bought my colors, you may choose to differ…this is just a guide..not a rule)

Vintage Photo

Shabby Shutters (Green)

Broken China (Blue)

Worn Lipstick (Pink)

Wild honey (Yellow orange) 

Then you can pick your next set…adding one shade darker and one shade lighter to each of the above…

Antique linen (Lighter than Vintage Photo) & Walnut stain (Darker – I don’t own nor need this color since I prefer fresher colors..but you can if you are going for dark vintagey projects)

Green family- Peeled Paint (darker than Shabby shutters)  & Bundled Sage/crushed Olive (lighter)..

For Blues family – Tumbled glass (Lighter) and faded Jeans (darker blue)/also Chipped Sapphire

For pink family – Spun sugar (very light pink) and  Barn door (darker- it is  more of red) /victorian velvet (muted pink). 

Yellows -  Mustard seed (pure yellow) and rusty hinge (darker shade of orange)

That brings you to around 15 inks! 

Then you fill in the missing gaps…like purple – Milled lavender and Dusty concord

Reds – Fired brick and Aged Mahogany (Dark reddish brown)

Ranger has new bright colors too now...and I love them. My favorites are Salty ocean (blue),
picked Raspberry (pink)
 mowed Lawn (green)
squeezed lemonade (yellow)
Ripe persimmon (orange)
Festive berries (red)

I seem to think these are enough to start with…I have bought more colors, but haven’t touched them…coz they’re the extras…purples and lightest pinks etc..which aren’t that much used…What I use most are my top 15 colors!!

Always keep a color chart for your reference…You can download and print it off the ranger website…and keep adding the colors you get…

And another tip…store your inkpads upside down..they’ll always be juicy when you get down to using it…Since I store my inkpads sideways..I make sure I keep rotating them..else they would dry out in the 44C heat ! 

As always feel free to ask questions....your questions help me learn more and maybe help others who have the same doubts! 

Hugs! Tee (my new name....psst Khush I love it...and my husband has forgotten my original name ..he calls me Tee now!!)

On a Break

Hey all...I'm sure you've noticed my absence on my blog...

I'm on an official break from crafting..or rather crafting on the floor...my back pain had gotten worse over the months...finally trips to the doc and x-rays and blood reports (with fainting spells... I can't see my own blood..I did anatomy in med school....dissected frogs and rats..and yet when I see my blood, I faint!! ) ...

I'm not to craft on the floor..official orders (how I sit quietly...I don't know)..Hubby is quite happy not to get me a working table so that I take rest!! (which I can't)
So I sneak in some crafting time of whatever tools he's not hidden from me! Which is almost nothing..just PP, CS, and my scissors and trimmers....
So you won't see any post from me here....for a while to come...but I will keep posting some stuff..so that you don't forget me....and Blog Candy is being set up..with Stamps and Inks..so watch out!

So off to enable you a bit....Did you check out Pie lane's newest Challenge on using Stencils? and did you catch up on using glitters and stencils?

And if you did, do link me up if you try this out...would love to see what you come up with!

Also Deepthi at My Arts has very kindly featured me as her artist this week...Do drop by to read my ramblings from the heart...

Till then...see you soon!!

Stencils and Glitter

These tutorials are a product of extensive reading, researching and lots of time spent on making them. Please do not copy, or share on your page (for promoting your items in your shop) unless I give you permission to do so. Please ask nicely....I won't say no...but you need to ask.... You can link it on your blogs if you have used these tutorials...please share the link with me when you do use these tutorials...I would love to stop by and see what you have done! 

Here's the part two of the tutorial...I  thought I'd show some glittery stuff to those who love playing with it....In this summer, its impossible to use glitter....can't sit without a fan for even half hour!!

To Start with, I am using 2 inch roll of double sided tape, CS cut to 2 x 4 (depending on the length of your stencil) , paint brush, scrap paper, and glitter!

 

Here I am sticking my CS to the sticky side of the double sided tape... and set that aside for a while.

 Take your Stencil and turn it to its shiny side....and this next step is the most important one...it will save your stencil from being permanently stuck to your tape! :) 

I ruined one stencil this way!! So don't tell me I didn't warn you...

Now find a tiny piece of dry soap. YES, SOAP...and rub it all over the shiny part of your stencil..cover every inch of the stencil. 

 

 

Never mind how disgusting your stencil looks, it will be re-usable. I promise you! 

Just remember to poke out the bits and pieces of soap lodged in the stencil openings...the one near the leaf and the flower...poke it all out....(Who said pretty things in life come easy?) 

 Peel off your double sided tape and stick the soapy side of the stencil down . Try not to touch the sticky side too much..

  

Since I wanted to color the flowers separately, I took some magic scotch tape, and covered the flower part of the stencil... (Same thing what Priyadarshini has done on her stencil card..)

  

Then pour green glitter all over the other areas, burnish (rub the glitter in)  with your finger (yes its mess!) and tap off the excess glitter. 

 

And now you can remove the tape from one flower at a time, and add that particular shade of color. 

Those are my glitters added, burnished and excess tapped off...and because the stencil has been soaped up, it will easy to peel off the stencil from the tape...,   (Clean your scrap paper first before your expose the sticky tape to the extra glitter mess)

 Since my work surface wasn't clean, I got in quite a few flecks of extra color where I wanted only clear glitter (open the pic in a new window to see) Now just pour your clear glitter and go crazy rubbing it in.

 Tap off the excess, brush away the extra specs! And tada! You have one beautiful panel ready to use on a card, album...or just frame it up!!! 

Just one crazy shot of bling!! You know I can't resist that!! 

So hope you had fun blinging up with me....if you need any help, feel free to post your questions! 

Paper Pretty Studio Blog Hop

Hello Peeps,

I have been honored to be a part of a blog hop to welcome a brand new kit club called Pretty Paper Studio which was launched yesterday.

Pretty Paper Studio (PPS) is a monthly scrapbooking + cardmaking kit club based in UAE but they  also stock  all the basic paper craft supplies at affordable prices. The store is live...just drop by and you will drool....if that wasn't enough, have you seen their card kits and scrapbooking kits?  And wait till you see the contents of their very first kits....I am almost ready to break my piggy bank!! :D

Ready for a little peak at their kits for this month




If that is not sheer heaven, what is?

You can purchase their kits at subscriber prices (AED 205) until April 15^th.

To celebrate the Store launch, we are having a blog hop with chances to win some amazing prizes!  Leave a comment here and other blogs on the hop to win Pretty Paper Studio’s Project Kit called ‘Spring Break’. 

Two Lucky winners will be selected from all the comments received to win the kit. More comments you leave will give you more chances to win. Winners of Blog Hop will be announced on April 18, 2012

You should have arrived here from the very talented Shasha's Blog, if not you might want to start from Donna's blog.  And you can always go to the PPS blog, if you get lost on the way :)

When I think of the word Pretty, its always rainbows and butterflies for me...and thus to welcome you all to this blog hop and to welcome the start of a new venture....I have made an complete hero arts ensemble for you!! :) Wishing Paper Pretty Studio the best of very best!! :)

I will be posting details of this card on another post....  Till then make sure you drop by the store and
the Paper Pretty Blog for some AMAZING inspiration!!!

Now off you go to Ujjwal's blog for some more fabulous inspiration and don't forget to keep commenting on each post...you have a chance to win the Project Kit called Spring Break!!

Thank you the PPS team for letting me be a part of this fabulous event!!!

Till then!!
p.s. This is my  300th POST!! keep your eyes out for a give-away coming soon!!! :)