The Reveal

There's not much to post today....but I thought I drop in and show you what I was upto with that rainbow colored paper!!
If you missed it, I'd shared it on my yesterday's post. Here it is again...

 Quite a few of you guessed them as labels....yup those are labels...I was busy playing with distress inks and labels. I was organizing them.... I used to have a hard time pulling all of them out just to see which one I wanted!!!
So after all the inking and playing with inks and sponges....Ta-da!!!! All four sides are labelled so I can put them however, and still see the name of the ink pad!

I love the rainbow colors...and just in case you are tempted to say...so many colors!! It took me one year to come to these colors...I buy as I use...I can always share what I learnt from a blogger pal Britta on how to buy your first distress inks!!

And now it is so easy for me to pick them out of my box of inkpads!! Yeah the foams are also color arranged!! Just for a few days...it will be messy as usual!!

Its a bit messy but that's how it is!! As long as the box closes I have no problems!! :)

I'm sure you will want to ask me a hundred questions!! To the left are my memento dew drop inkpads, the red bottle is the ranger solvent cleaner for my stazon ink. Ask me if you are any more curious!!

Anniversary RAK's!!

This 20th of November, I celebrated my 3rd Wedding Anniversary!! phew!! 3 yrs and we've still not killed each other...just kidding!! Since we were busy house hunting..and I almost had a heat stroke...we didn't celebrate much...just a quite dinner and a dang of a chocolate mousse cake... called VERTIGO!! scrumptious!! Here's what the patisserie looked like!!

Picture Courtesy- Burrp!

Other than teasing you with the pictures of the patisserie, I also wanted to share the fabulous cards that made its way to my hands. And for that, a million thanks from both of us to all of you!!!

This is a crazily beautiful card from Snehal...and the matching envelope! I love how she co-ordinates the card and the envelope!! And this is not all...I don't know if you remember, but Snehal had showcased one of her journals...yup!! I have it!! thank you so much Snehal..I love you for being so so kind and generous with your talents. You made me feel truly truly special that day!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart...
Here is that gorgeous journal and here are some of my favorite pages from her book!!

These are just some of the pages she's decorated for me...rest are empty for journalling..but I love the binding!! Beautiful...you gotta teach me that girlie!!

This gorgeous card with a butterfly comes from Rachna...Thank you for never forgetting my anniversary!!!

And this one layer wonder comes from Shalini ...Thank you girls!!!

And just before I sign out and say thanks again....can you figure out what the hell was I upto?

Aren't those rainbow colors fabulous????
Have a good day everyone!!

Glitter Galore!!

My new post is up at Pie lane blog....just before you hop over there...please put your glares on!! Here's a sneak peek of what you can expect over there!!!

Know what I mean now? Bling Bling and off you go to check it out!!! Do leave some love on the post!!!

A few Q & A's....

Sorry peeps for not being regular..but right now I'm enjoying the weather, snuggling up to my books..they've been complaining for too too long!!! So on that reading spree...I finished Eldest, Brisingr and now hoping to get Inheritance..These are the Eragon Series...and then just finished yesterday, Kathryn Stockett's The Help....fabulous books!!! I have loved writing reviews of books, maybe I could do that here too...in case there are any book lovers who are interested!!! let me know!

Any recommendations for what books you'll are reading...

Back to crafty stuff....I had a few questions from Priya Sivaraj and when I did write back to her, she suggested I share over here...maybe quite a few have the same queries!!

What is the difference between fevicryl glue and gloss and glossy accents? Is it the same product from different countries or the quality is different?

They are two very different products..I haven’t used glossy accents, but have read enough about it and seen in action. Glue and gloss is basically a decoupage glue. It is used to seal the paper and give it a glossy finish..what I do is pile it up to give it a sticker effect.. it’s a white glue that dries clear…and is a slow drying glue. And I’m not too sure how well it will hold your embellishment if you use it as a glue. Since its slow drying, I generally use the no-stitch fabric glue to attach my embellishments.

Glossy Accents on the other hand is a clear glue and quicker drying than glue and gloss, and it holds the embellishments really well. It’s a strong adhesive as well as give a beautiful gloss.

If you had the option to choose, buy Glossy accents for its quality.

Glue and gloss is just a substitute that works as well.

   

What is the difference between Niji Pearlescent colors and Fevicryl pearl colors?

They are entirely two different items. Pearlescent colors are thin translucent watercolors that have a fabulous sheen to it. You are able to layer on the Niji colors with a variety of media...you can write over them, stamp over them (depending on inks used, it might bleed but that itself is a pretty effect ) 

Fevicryl pearl colors on the other hand are acrylic colors with a pearl luster…they are not translucent..Almost opaque..Unless you water it down a lot, they will be opaque.

Here there is no comparison since they are entirely different products…

A suitable alternative to Pearlescent watercolors would to be to get some white pearl eye shadow powder, mix it with some water colors and give it a try…the finer the eye shadow powder, better the pearl sheen you would get…I’m still to try this out, but if you do, let me know!

MS glitter and Pie Lane glitter!!

I haven’t used MS glitter so can’t compare but it would be safe to say both are at par…MS glitter comes in 3 types…coarse, fine and tinsel. I have the Coarse glitter and it’s bigger chunks of glitter.

As for fine glitter, I would say both are almost same. 

The only difference would be the packaging and the number of colors...and the quantity...so if anyone has used both..would love your take on this question.

How do u manage cutting 12*12 papers using ur trimmer?                 

I don’t have a 12x12 trimmer. Its on my wish list..I’m still trying to decide which to buy..still going back and forth over my pros and con’s. What I do have is the 5 x 8.5 trimmer.

I use my scale and Precision knife (its like an x-acto knife, but made by Camel..desi stuff) to cut it down to where it will fit within my trimmer.

Priya Venkat had shared a very practical way of cutting up the 12x12  papers…

I find this a very practical way of using my papers, I use the 6x6 for my mini albums or cards, the 6x8 goes for my albums and 4x6 to use as mats for photos or just use it on cards.

That is all from my end for now...off to try and make something..since I'm done with my books and have a lot of borrowed stuff to return!! heheh!!! 

Oct ATC Swap

We had our  ATC swaphosted by Rachna. It was exciting to see so many participate...

I love ATC's coz they offer a tiny canvas on which to portray your imagination..

For those who don't know what an ATC is...here's my short intro..They're a 2.5x3.5 piece of paper, called ARTIST TRADING CARDS that you embellish, decorate and sign on the reverse ( please don't ever use the word backside..it does not exist in the dictionary...I shudder when I read the word backside in newspapers and magazines)
Back to ATC, you sign on the reverse so that your recipient knows who sent it. ATC's are always traded as the name suggests. They are not mini cards. They're like your playing cards or baseball trading cards. Here are a few examples of fabulous ATC's on flickr.
Here and here ( you can browse more by changing the number of page)
These are primarily stamping ATC's. They can also be made with mixed media, collage, paints..any medium!

 So having said that, let me share the ones that I received....

Pics from Kalindi's blog

Pic from Kalindi's blog

These two fabulous cards came from Kalindi....I love the neatness with which she packed the cards..and the tiny bling stones and the scoring!! Way to use your new tools girl...simply fabulous!!! Thank you so much for this gorgeous cards!!

This gorgeous fall creation comes from Vintage queen...Mallika. Thank you sweets for the fabulous burst of color!!!
Coming up are ATC's that I made

I had a few extra poinsettia's printed while I was making cards for Pie lane...and took one..cut it into two and colored glittered, and glossed (the 2nd  card has gloss, the first only glitter) The main card front is distressed (what's new?) with shabby shutters, peeled paint and forest moss. stamps are from Inque Botique..the fern and the sentiment both. Glitter balls and glitter dust from Pie Lane! And a touch of hobby ideas glitter along the border to look like tinsel... ( you can see it better in the first card) 

And on a reprimanding note...I haven't got many comments on my Pie lane card...didn't ya'll visit the blog? or didn't like my card? I know its shameless to ask for comments, but that's how I improve..that's how I know what I did was good or need to improve basis....so please hop on over to Pie Lane blog and let me know if the card is way too simple? 

I've gone Dotty!!!!

Yeah..I've literally gone dotty!!! The prospect of searching for a house and being thoroughly disappointed with the prices (way too high) and the spaces I saw got me really low!!! To stop myself from going crazy with worrying (those who know me well, I will worry for things that haven't happened...I'm the Don't worry chachu's female version...hmmm maybe they stole the idea from me)ummm...back to the topic..to stop me from worrying, I sat down to do what I love the most....stamping...and took out my newest set...PTI Dots and spots (thanks Shobhana...you'll see how much fun I had with it)
I ended up making 7 cards in one go....not one hour...it took me 4-5 hours..interspersed with some house work, cooking etc....

Without more ramblings...coz I'm all for rambling these days!! here are the cards...all are one layer cards...

 The original design of this card was from Lea's card... and then as usual I had to add butterflies!! Stamps are PTI Butterfly dreams, Signature greetings and Dots and spots. Ink is Memento tuxedo black and Rose bud. Center butterfly is die cut with the PTI butterfly die  and the other two small butterflies are hand cut.

Ink used here is Memento tuxedo black, lulu lavender and grape jelly.

Inks are Versamagic Chalk ink Sea breeze and memento Tuxedo black and bahama blue. 

For this card..I basically went wild...just stamping like a kid would...random...with no sense of any design or direction...still pleased with this card!!

The bigger medallion in the set...still need to get it to stamp properly!!

And all of the butterflies are adequately coated with glitter.....either with glitter glue, or pie lane pixie dust or Sakura diamond dust pen.....need proof.....

That is pie lane pixie dust glitter...Ain't glitter an awesome thing?

Since I felt so relaxed and at peace...I plan to make loads more....coz worrying will never cease...but to channel that energy into something pretty...that makes me happy!!!
See you around with the next dose of cards!!!

Since stamping, butterflies and bling are my most favorite things....I feel its only right that I link it to Patricia's My favorite things at Colors Dekor.

Dots and stripes

Hey everyone…it’s the last day of holidays for me..well for hubs actually…which means more time for myself…certainly will miss bugging him all day!! Oh well, another holiday looms on the horizon for us..10 days in Jan. Want holidays, marry a lawyer!!

Ok enough about holidays…did you check out the card on the Pie lane blog? I loved making it and its so easy, even the most novice card maker could make it…do drop by…

I don’t know what prompted me to create such a bright card…but bright it is…Base is Peacock Blue Fabriano CS.

The distressed panel started as White CS (Brustro) and distressed it with Wild honey, and Spiced marmalade (that is one heavy orange color) and a touch of Vintage photo.

Stamped the hero arts flourish background (thanks you guys for this fabbie stamp) with spiced marmalade. Tags are hand cut, added a punched 5 petal flower and punched a hole through it..tied some charcoal twine. 

Pattern papers are from Itsy bitsy. The paper is double sided, and I’ve used the orange polka dotted side to punch butterflies in( 3-in-1 butterfly punch), and the striped side to add a border…which is also punched with Threading water Fiskars punch. 

A bit of Sakura Diamond dust on the butterfly completes the card…

Sentiment is from the Penny black Betsy bluebell set (see I used both my sets!!!)

 How could I not show my butterflies?

Just a shout out for a fabulous girl's give-away...Priya Sivaraj is celebrating her blog anniversary and her wedding anniversary with this fabulous goodies...drop by her blog to wish her and maybe win yourself some fabulous crafting goodies!

Also I'm cleaning out some old hobby ideas clear stamps at throw away prices...if you want to have a look, check out my sale page...

Christmas has arrived

I have loved Christmas every since I was in school...and for your dose of Christmas fever..hop on to the Pie lane blog and check out what I have in store for you today!!

I have loved making this card and I hope you love it too