My love for Paisley and Bling...

......overflowed into my wedding invitations. I have this fascination for bling..most of us cardmakers have it. Mine just got a bit too far..but I love it...
My wedding invitations are shiny and blinged up ... and if I had any of those paisley backgrounders..I would have ended up making my own invitations..but 400 invitations? way too much for me to handle. So I let professionals take over and I still had my paisleys and bling.
Here they are..

Thats the cover..a paisley in bling..

detailed view of the paisley on cover..

This is the actual card..I just love the golden embossed paisleys on chocolate metallic CS...and there's the bling quotient..gemstones on one detailed paisley .

Can someone count the number of times I wrote paisleys on this page? And in case there are some cards left over, I can always re-use them (evil grin :O)
I just wish I had some backgrounders..but with the economy floundering..I'll just wait till I can afford it.

I'm going dotty!!!

No no..not in that way...I just got so fascinated with Faith's ( Markie's mom) style of making cards...I had to CASE her style. And its unbelievably easy.

And now after I made this card, I'm not sure whether to call this a valentine day's card or a Christmas card...

I had this stamp from Michele (hi!!!) ..

I did not know what to make of their expressions and these two moose were they surprised to see each other, are they in love..??? If they're in love, I could make this into a Valentine's day card...oh darn, I can't figure it out...Maybe somethings are better left unsaid (LOL!!)

And one more thing..the sun wasn't there in the image..I took a penny, drew a circle and colored it right in with watercolor pencils..

Anyways, I went along with Christine's sketch, Faith's style of card making and what do I get...A
messed up card that's darn cute.

.

I did stamp on the red CS but since it was tone on tone stamping..the ink just doesn't show up..This card is my entry for Christine's RAK. I really love her style of card making...You should stop by her blog and check it out.

Thank you Faith & Christine for inspiring me..hugs to both of you across the miles..

P.s I didn't know whether the image was a moose or a reindeer..so I went to Google to find out.. Judging by its thick antlers, this one is a moose and those which branch like antlers is a reindeer..I've never seen one..how am I supposed to know.well don't duh me!!! :O)

Blogging Without Obligation

I did not know the concept of B.W.O but now that I read it, I think its good. I don't have to be sorry if I don't post in a while. This is for my peace and my outlet..so here goes..
(fancy me saying this, after uploading 3 posts in a day??)


Thank you Anna for leading me onto this!

Sketch Challenge

I made a card for Christine's Sketch challenge..
Here's Christine's sketch..

And here's my interpretation of the sketch..

Its that time of the day when no matter how many pics you take, they're bound to look dark. I had seen this wonderful technique of stamping on a dark background and filling in the stamps with Prisma pencils...I just used my watercolor pencils and its not bad..Its called Black Magic..saw it on StampOwl aka Frances Bryne's blog..

The single flower is stamped on acetate, colored with copper paint on the reverse..The sentiment, is stamped, faux stitched and the edges and the main panel distressed and raised for a faux leather look. Here's a close up...

Supplies-

Paper-DCWV classic paper pack, Stamps-Delight in life, sentiment- heart and soul rubberstamps, watercolor pencils, uni-ball signo white gel pen, acetate, Black Stazon, copper paint.

Tilda birthday card

Here's a birthday card for a 10 yr daughter of a friend. Nothing much to it.. Just simple watercoloring with Faber-Castell pencils, tons of glitter on the cake..and yes, overdone stamping at the edges...but its still cool. Getting a handmade card is a big deal and I know she'll love it.

And of course there a lot of stamps used..the Tilda is a gift from Taru, the happy birthday sentiment inside the card is from a local stamp store, Hobby Ideas.

The stamps at the back of the card are custom made stamps, one from a local stamp store (the one with 100% handmade). Sadly rubber stamps, even business stamps are made from nylon not rubber and it gives a very bad impression on the paper the other one is from Heart and Soul Rubber stamps, Waving hi to Sue.... ( you can see the difference between the nylon impression and the rubber stamp impression)

And how can I forget to show a close up of the glitter on the card..

The card might look dark, but its not..I've just run a burnt edge action on it...Just to make it look super-cool.

Supplies-

CS-Fabriano 220lbs double sided textured paper. PP-DCWV, Papermania colossal stack, Faber-Castell watercolor pencils, uni-ball glitter pen.

Happyness

I just wanted to make a layout for us, for him, was feeling very low since both of us are miles apart...while thinking of all the things positive..I got this layout in my head..took me 1 hour to make...who says digiscrapping saves times..it just saves the mess...but I loved making it.

I think both of us need some more pictures with each other, I'm tired of still scrapping with my engagement pics...That is not even how I look like in real life...maybe reel life...heheh!

The journaling reads " Happyness is being with you, being in your arms, Being tickled breathless, matching my wits against yours, endless conversations, your need to protect me, the need to crack dirty jokes at the drop of a hat..Knowing I have a lifetime of laughter and love with you around me, Looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you...That's what Happyness is"

Feeling good now!!!

Credits

All kit is by Shabby Princess- Harvest Spice

Awards and a journal

ETA- Angelo of Kreativ Kristin also gave me this award on her blog..Thanks a million...She's from Croatia



I had been nominated for this award a long time back..Sorry JoAnna for posting it so late..but Thanks a million nevertheless.

That was so so sweet of her.. here are the rules ( never mind the fact that I'm never a sticker for rules)

The rules are:
1. Use the twinks bank icon;
2. Only 5 people allowed to be nominated;
3. 4 of the 5 have to dedicated followers of your blog;
4. 1 is to be someone new or recently new to your blog and live in another part of the world;
5. You must link back to whomever gave you the award.

Most of my blogging friends live in another part of the world..so there goes one rule out of the book

Here are some of the people I would love to pass this on to..
1. Smriti at Ribbons, etc.
2. Jana at 2Worlds (Thank you for always leaving encouraging comments)
3. Sari at Sari's Cards (Thanks for sending love all the way from Sweden)

4. Hulda at Aunt Scrappy
5. Anna at Inspired by Nature ( Thank you for the encouragements and compliments)

And here goes the 2 rule out of the book..I couldn't stop at 5 nominations..
6. Shivani at Shivani's Little Creations (My only card making pal in India )

There you go..Thanks JoAnna.



Now for my newest creation. I brought this journal to keep a track of all things related to the wedding. The florist, the caterer and etc...and what do I do.......sit till 2 am and decorate it.

And when H stopped by for a day, he labels it "my dirty scrapbook" He still can't get it, why I had the need to decorate a perfectly new book! How do I convince this man from the stone age that I like doing this stuff and it looks prettier than the blank black cover it had????




Jan Scholl at The Paper Tango had sent me some Autum Leaves clear stamps as a part of her blog candy..And they've been used here. I love the heart stamp..Its so lovely. Thanks Jan.

ETA: I finally found the little birdie I'd been eyeing on everyone's blog. I found it in a digital format..and so I printed it out..and glued it to my book..I wanted a branch or a twig in the little birdie's beak, I didn't have any, so used a digital brush.. ( mind you the brush is only on the photo, its not there IRL). It has totally become a hybrid project - paper, digital birdie, and photoshop brush!!! Here's how the project looks now..

Ps.. Can someone help me how to remove the glare from the glossy photo using PS? I tried everything but as you can see it didn't work!!


Supplies Paper- Floral pack (DCWV), pink CS,
Stamps-autum leaves, Watercolor crayons, Brilliance dew drop graphite ink.
The digichickie is from Annie at Raspberry Road Designs..Thank you girl..you made my day

Another Altered Notebok

I've been on a roll...I loved altering the previous notebook so much, that I decided to do another one for a friend. This time I took the scary step of removing the spiral and then attaching the papers and then re-attaching the spiral binding. Scary part ... but its was not that bad..


There's nothing much to it. Also made a co-ordinating pen to go with it. This is going to be such a novelty..since no one, and I mean not many literally decorate pens.. Here's the close up of the stamp...

Did some doodling on the edges with white signo pen, and some faux stitching around the edges of the notebook.
Hope the recipient likes it.

Supplies- DP by DCWV black and white stack, Faber-Castell watercolor pencils
Brilliance Graphite black ink, watercolor paper

Word art layout

I needed a quote to put on my page..and guess what I find. A word art from Bethany..Here is here original quote and here's my version of it.




I sometimes find that I need my mess around me to make it feel like a home, or my own room. I feel if its too clean, it seems sanitized, like someone else's house.

I don't know if i'm alone in this dilemma or is there someone out there who shares this weird trait with me. If you are, you're not alone!!!

There is one more quote that I love, and its an excuse for me to make more mess and refuse to clean up..I'll try my first attempt at creating a word art and uploading it for you!

If I can't Bethany to the rescue!!

Credits
There are lot of brushes I've used, mostly by the Greenbulb Gang Coffee stains brush.
some from Obsidian Dawn the glitters on the word room..
unfortunately I can't find the source for the paper.
frame- Franziska Altmann
Vector foliage brush-no idea from where!
Font-House - Smargana
Happy - Gigi

Sentiment Missing!

Well, I've been busy today..I had seen a tutorial on Jana's blog about using watercolor crayons. I've had them for long, but not used them.. (is it a wonder? how many of us have stuff that we've never used!!)

I'd seen this stamp Dolphin dreams by rubbernecker on Anna's site. Feel in love with it, and so Anna sent me a couple of stamped images. And guess what, Sophia of The moonlight Inker, sent me this stamp as a surprise!!!! Isn't she generous or what..Do stop by her site and say hi..She does the most amazing Magnolia cards..for that matter every card done by her is Super..

I saw this card ( 3rd card) on Anna's blog and was inspired to recreate the same element. I wanted the image mounted on wood.. so I used brown CS, edged it with opaque white Dew drop ink. The image is colored with Watercolor crayons. And there are some bling stickers, to give it that serene feel.

Two of the dolphins have been mounted on dimensionals.


I really love this image..there is something very peaceful about it. I do know the sentiment is missing...and that is where I need your help. Can you please suggest a suitable sentiment or a quote to go with this card..

I would appreciate your help a lot

A close up shot to show you my favorite part, the glitter and the dazzle of the card..click on the image to see a close up(recommended only for the glitter-holics)



Supplies
Image- dolphin dreams by stamp oasis-Rubbernecker
Watercolor crayons, signo glitter pen, outline stickers

Word Art

I just saw Allison's challenge for the week, Word Art and I thought this was perfect for me to bring out the stamps that I'd brought from Heart and Soul Rubber stamps.

Its called the serenity stamp, I think. For the first time...I used no matting in my cards..A first for me and then there was no bling...the first time I left a card alone..no bling..

Then I also tried to incorporate a bit of sponging -Zindorf style. The mess I created!!!

here are some pictures to prove it.

First effort was just a waste..it was just a trial.

The first was the beginning of ruining stamped sheets, but then if you don't practice you don't learn!! In the second, I tried to use a white crayon, something that was showcased on Gina K's blog. A big blob of color just splashed over. so this too was in the bin..(not really..do any of us dump any mistakes?)

so here's the final version..

Somehow it looks fabulous. I just love it...And here is the final card..

Can you say I'm using Photoshop brushes a bit too often...well its new so I'm gonna play with it for a couple of days...then maybe I'll find something new!!

Credits:

Paper-DCWV black and white stack, sentiment-Heart and Soul Rubber Stamps, ribbon-Papermania , white signo gel pen.

shiny butterfly

Don't know why my obsession with glitter and butterflies goes, but it is and I love it. Love glitter..every card I make has to have a bit of glitter..

so does this card which I made after eons. Digiscrapping is so easy, no mess that I got completely lazy in making cards. here's one..I had this idea of butterflies flying out of
a window..don't know how much I could get in the card..but here it is ...decide for yourself.




In case you're wondering about the swirls, those are photoshop brushes I got for being a part of the Green Bulb Gang, at Graphics Illustrations.
Lots of freebies, Discounts. I love this swirls-stars brush that came as a freebie.

Here's a close up of my glitter and butterflies.




Credits:
Paper-DCWV floral stack
Sentiment - Heart and Soul rubber stamps
Butterfly image- unknown(gifted by Michele), Faber castell watercolor pencils, niji waterbrush, uniball signo silver glitter pen
ribbon stamp-hampton arts.

A fast Layout..

Just a quick post to show off my newest layout...I've been lazy...no cards yet.....

need to find my creative genius ....

what say about this cutie...she's my niece...pretty grown up by now...

With a template in hand, a Layout is just a matter of minutes..its fast and easy..



I'm still trying to learn about drop shadows and the stuff...don't know how much is enough..

Actually when making a card or a LO, how do you know when enough is enough?


Credits:
The template is from Rackety Scrapety and papers are from A kit called Berrylicious by Vicki's Blog- A work in progress

Don't know where I got the embellishment from...sorry again...I'm terrible at giving credit for the right person.
Now I know..its by Franziska Altmann - Tabrizia.


will be back soon with a card.. (hopefully) sigh!!

Rain Rain And more Rain

I'm totally a rain person...for me its the most romantic time of the year..I don't mind getting drenched in the rain...will walk in a downpour...and will love to sit by the window with a hot cuppa ..I love thunderstorms and search for rainbows in the sky...

and now that I have my sweetest H, I can look forward to cosy days spent in his arms

Rains have started since the last 3 days and the sky is overcast all day... rain coming in drizzles all day.. ( I admit since I don't have to travel much to work, I can afford to be all romantic about it, If I was working long distance, I would be grumbling too)

I just took some pics of the rain and turned one into a LO.

Enjoy ...I cannot recall where and where I downloaded all my digital freebies from, but all are from links on Ikeagoddess's blog.

This is the actual photo taken from my window... I love how the storm clouds contrast with the white of the buildings ... I manipulated this photo a bit to get some rain onto it.. via Photoshop..


Till my next post...have fun!

I'm Back and how!!

I'm back...my crafting spirit is back...And the thanks for it goes to Sophia Landry of the Moonlight Inker...A big shout out from me to you girl...She sent me a big boxful of goodies...couple of SU! sets, my most sought after brads( we dont' get the tiny ones in India, really big and ugly ones only!!) , ribbons and what not...thank you so so much girl..you've brought my spirit back..

Well I've been playing around with Photoshop so much, downloading freebie kits from all over the place...they're easier and much less expensive than entering blog candies, I hate for all to pay so much shipping..and the Indian Post is none too great..Sophia's parcel was posted in Jan, I got it in May...Go figure!!!!
Some of the candies never made it over here..so I've stopped entering for candies, downloading freebie stuff is good enough..kills my phone bill but that's ok..better than burdening someone else..
Ok enough rambling...I'd like to show you what I made..I just love it and I hope H loves it too when I gift it to him on his birthday.

I had brought a frame and saved the box that the frame came in...made a shadow frame box, somewhat loosely based on the idea by Maria Bell .


I used the Delight in Life set which Sophia sent me..and the papers are 7gypsies, classic collection.





A close up of the flowers and the sentiment inside..The flowers are paper-pieced..

This sentiment is from a set that I won in a candy by Heather,but don't know the name of the set...



Didcha like it? Do you think H will like it...

Yikes, where have I been?

Where have I been...its been almost 2 weeks and more since I logged in. Getting engaged certainly changed a lot of things..for one, I don't have much time on my hands to create anything..I'm either busy yaking on the phone and running up the phone bills, or I'm busy playing around with photoshop, my newest addiction. And of course going ga-ga over the tons of freebies on Ikeagodess's blog or Digifree blog..

And of course, I can't thank Misty Cato enough for great tutorials on her blog..I am learning loads from her too..Thanks girl..




I'm enjoying this form of scrapping as its easy...no mess and yes, my soon-to-be-DH can't threaten to dump it in the bin, as he does with my papercrafting stuff .. he's a cleanliness freak and I'm a slob..I thrive in my creative mess.. he can't understand why I like my clutter!!! Oh well, either I'll clean up my act or teach him how to be a slob

Here's just one of the layouts I made, but i'm absoutely sorry as I never remember to keep a track of who offered these freebies, if you know you did, please let me know and I'll thank you once again...

all of these were hunted from either Ikeagodess's blog or the Digifree blog.


I completely erased the background which I didn't like...and just put the frame, and the word art which were a part of a freebie.