Happy New Year

Here's wishing everyone a very Happy New Year! Can't believe it is 2010 already... Where did the last decade go, can someone tell me!? For me a lot has changed... Marriage and a kid... Lots of new relations have been added and I've lost a few too... Coming to think of it, my whole life has changed this decade, but I am not complaining.
At the beginning of the 21st century... 2000... I was still a youngster in college; very undecided about my life and not knowing what the future had in store for me. Now, my son is already going to school; I am a homemaker with new interests, new hobbies, new passions. Everything from my way of dressing to my eating habits to my way of living.. has changed! And I still say I don't know where the decade went by??!! Guess I was too busy adapting to and going through these changes...

Has anything changed for you too?? Do write in...

Hugs,
Smita

No cards... some more fun stuff

I haven't made any card today. Did do a little background that I should be using tomorrow (when it is completely dry).
But I do have some fun stuff to share... I made some kiddie stuff ;-) A felt Rudolph and a paper Santa ;-)))

HP again

Hi all,

Nothing very new to share... We had been to Vineet's office on Friday. They had organised a little something for spouses and kids. The event was great - games, food, music, magic and a lot of fun. The kids had a fancy dress competition and they were to dress up as their favorite superhero... well, I got to know this only on Friday morning; so with the little time I had in hand, I thought spiderman would be too difficult and settled for Harry Potter once again.;-) I gathered some supplies; bought some more in a 15 minute shopping spree and set to work.
I got the idea for the amazing wand from the Instructables site... they used brown paint and distressed it with black; since I was out of brown, I went with copper and made a metallic wand with some help from my hot glue gun. I think the wand looked amazing. Then I made a normal wizard's hat and something that was supposed to be a broom. I gave him a golden ball (to take the place of the Quidditch 'snitch')... an oversized black t-shirt with some ribbon sewn to it; and a cape completed the look. I did call my good little friend, Sharanya, a huge HP fan, to get her inputs (and so as not to get the colors wrong!).. I added the Griffindor color on the hat. And this time I didn't forget the scar ;-)

Aaryan didn't let me click a full picture of him in the costume; though he did let the office photographer do so.. I am still waiting for that one... And he won the first prize :-)

And this last one was clicked yesterday... Sports day in school.

For my darling son!!

This post is dedicated totally to my darling son, Aaryan. God! how much I yell at him sometimes!!!!!! Poor thing...

Yesterday, I sat down, after ages, to do a bit of pencil coloring on my stamped image. The image had so many little details that it took me a lot of time... Then, not knowing what to do with it, I created a simple easel card and used the (huge!) image there ;-)... didn't like the look of the card, so I just let it be on the table to see what everyone else at home would say to it. Aaryan woke up from his afternoon nap after a while; he came directly to where the card was kept; looked at it... and smiled! :-) He asked me if I had made it for his birthday (which is in January, he reminded me again). An idea struck me and I told him that though it wasn't for his birthday (I had used the same image for his bday last year!), he could give it to his teachers in school for the holidays. He was so thrilled with the idea that he took the card in his little hands, turned it over, figured out how he'd close it to give it to his teachers and also that they would really like it. He came and gave me a hug and said...'Thank you, Mamma... you have used a button too' :D He absolutely adores busy cards and he loves buttons...

(the incomplete card)

Anyway, the card was incomplete then... Today I just saw a bit of lace peeping from my lace box. It reminded me of a candy cane (the exact same pattern!!), so I made a giant candy cane using a popsicle stick, bits of chipboard and the lace... Added the sentiments and a house (too lazy for a gingerbread house... might still color it brown though) and viola!! I hope Aaryan likes the new additions to his card...

The complete card

The candy cane (i loved it)

My little one's name (since this post is dedicated to him) and the little house

Cheers,

Smita

Hoping to be back in action soon

Yeah, I know I have these long 'missing' spells off and on - the joys of motherhood!! ;-) Jokes apart, I had been caught up yet again with things on the home front. School admissions being top of the list. Finally, we have taken Aaryan's admission in a school close by. That is for the new session that begins in June. I am now relieved; all the stress of the past few week is gone and we can relax at last.

There were also a couple of weddings to attend. And attending a party in this city can be quite taxing. Travelling alone took us a couple of hours (one way!!) due to distances and the traffic. But yes, I did get to attend a very high profile wedding ;-) which was very interesting... and we managed to see Amitabh Bachchan, the big B of Indian cinema, from quite a close distance ;-)

Not done much of crafting in the past few days. I actually haven't even looked into my craft cupboard. So that is that.... hoping to get back to my papers and craft material next week.

Ciao,

Smita.

More candy

There is more candy at Pauline's blog. Go and check it out.

Blog candy at Marley's blog

Check out the huge candy up for grabs at Marley's blog.

Ciao,
Smita

Gift boxes

Some gift boxes I made for a friend's Kitty Party (she wanted to fill them up with chocolates as giveaways):

The sizes were based on the heights of the chocolates we wanted to fill in them ;-)

The decorated sides:

Enjoyed making them... and I think it was a good break from cards :-)

Love,
Smita

Flower pot pocket card

I finally managed to create this Flower Pot Pocket card!! I have had one unsuccessful attempt earlier. But I liked this so much that I had to try again ;-) I think it is very girly and I love it... Made it for a friend whose birthday falls on Sunday.

Though there are no pearls/liquid pearls in this one... I think it is elegant enough to submit for this week's Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge... is it ok Sankari and Brooke? ;-) I have been wanting to play along since really long, girls... Never manage to.

Here's my card:

In full light...

Isn't it cute? ;-) And here's a close-up of the glittering butterfly ( I didn't know that Silver Acrylic paint would give me that amazing effect till I tried it here).. The flowers have some copper liquid pearls in the centers...

And here's the insert... I will personalize it a bit more for my friend... No worries... she never comes online so she won't see these ;-)

Intend to go and get some magnet today to attach to this card.. so she can put it up somewhere.. What do you think?

Love,
Smita

Phew!!

Hi all,

Today's card is for this week's 2S4U sketch, Dutch Dare Card Challenge (use felt) and also for the Quixotic challenge # 2 (too late for both).

There's some stitching on my little felt Gingerbread Man!! Applause please... why? coz Smita can't stitch... (words borrowed from a popular Bollywood song, "...coz Pappu can't dance..."). But I did manage an okay-ish blanket stitch, right? :-) Look at my little Gingerbread man closely ;-) And by the way, he is a dangling ornament.

And I finally made those oh-so-awesome 3D Christmas trees... sorry no snow on them coz I stay in a tropical country where it snows only in very few regions ;-) Well, I didn't find the Xmas tree punch at Hobby Ideas this time (they ran out of it :-( )... wish I hadn't postponed buying that one!! So I had to hand cut the trees...

The little star on top is actually a blob of Uhu glitter glue that I kind of spread using a toothpick...he he.

So that is that... Tell me what you think of the card. And do say that the stitching is awesome (doesn't hurt if a lie boosts somebody's morale, does it? ;-) )... LOL!

Cheers,
Smita

PS: My hands and neck are aching with so much stitching!! :-p

Blog candy @ Deanne's blog

There is some gorgeous candy to be won at Deanne's blog. Go check it out... Last day November 20th!

Of butterflies and a flower...

Here's my take on Kazan's sketch at 2S4Y. I loved the sketch and the new DT (including Sankari and Cheryl) are awesome! I loved their takes on the sketch... And as soon as I was done drooling over their beautiful cards, I decided to try my own too. ;-)

I kind of liked this card for a few reasons:
1. 2S4Y is my *favorite* sketch blog (sigh!!!...)
2. I love bling and there's loads of it on my card...
3. I used some new supplies that came in the mail yesterday ;-)
4. I added some dimension by creating layers (and I love layers)

So, here is the card from this lesser mortal ...

I have used a glitter and a plain frame in the centre; I curled, embossed and layered some Itsy Bitsy flowers to create the central focal element ;-) (big terms!!)... I also layered the butterflies to create a 'fluttering' effect.. Finished off with some 3D outliners, stones and micro beads.
Oh, by the way, I also dry embossed the edges of the beige card stock (not visible in the pic)...

Here's a closeup of the flower:

Ingredients:
CS: White and beige CS from stash
Others: Glitter and plain blue frames, flowers and butterflies from Itsy Bitsy, stones and microbeads from local craft stores, 3 D outliner from Hobby Ideas
Tools used: Fiskars trimmer, Shilpi embossing stylus

Cheers,
Smita

Yipppeeeeee!!

Hi all,

Lots to share today! No, I didn't do lot of crafting over the past couple of days.. Yesterday, both my hands were aching so much that I couldn't move them much :-( They're better today..

Now the good things...

I got my first set of Itsy Bitsy goodies today... yay yay! I ordered them over a couple of weeks back, so I am really glad they did come at last. Here's what I got:

They were packaged so well that I hardly had the heart to open the packs (I've been like that since my childhood so the abnormality isn't a ercent development.. I can never open anything that is packaged well.. it almost brings tears to my eyes to see a packet being torn open by anyone)!

I learnt that I should be more careful with my order next time. I ordered one piece that I didn't intend to; some  which looked nice only on screen... anyway, I am happy. I can now get back to crafting mode once again,

The second thing I wanted to share was this:

What is it, did you ask? I have been having trouble organising my craft material of late. Though I keep things sorted and labelled in boxes, there is still a space crunch, which sometimes affects my papers. I am a magazine lover and there's one mag that I've been reading since its first issue in India (it released a few months after I got married)... now, this month's issue had a super duper idea on sorting and storing craft material!! I was so thrilled that I implemented this one rightaway. I used hangers that come with my son's clothes in some stores.. they are tiny and they have clips attached.. perfect for 'hanging' my papers without damaging them!!! I loved the idea!!

Next, I made this quick little note card for my hubby. This is just to say thank you for all giving in to all my demands and getting me whatever I ask for (and you know how the list of craft items is never-ending!)... Thank you Vineet.

I used one Itsy Bitsy flower and that is the only pack I opened today. :-)

Cheers,

Smita

PS: I promise to take out my camera for any more pictures for the blog!! I will not use my mobile phone camera, however powerful it might be!!!

Happy Happy!!

Oh I am happy happy today... the Monday morning blues are there, of course, but still ;-) Hubby bought me a new food processor yesterday!! And the first thing I made was my favorite version of the Minestrone soup and some Vegetable-au-gratin (with 'butterfly' pasta (farafelle) on little Aaryan's request)!! ;-) Apart from the time for cleaning up, it was a breeze to chop the veggies!

A couple of my very close friends and a dear cousin are expecting... I think I should make cards for them... about time now... or else by the time my cards are ready, the babies will already be running around :D

So, off I go... Looking for something nice (but quick) so that they like it!!

Cheers,

Smita

Get Sketchy

I loved this week's Get Sketchy sketch. And I have been wanting to do something like a patchwork card with all the DP I had finally managed to collect.

First, I made this card:

It turned out to be something short of disastrous. It really got me upset :-( And to think of it, I had wasted some lovely Heidi Grace paper.

Then, I decided to give it one more try:

 Not bad... what say? :-) It took quite a while to get the cupcake in place though :-D.

Ingredients:
CS: Silver from DCWV, striped from Hobby Ideas, Worded paper and the paper used for the cupcake from Heidi Grace (Donna! what would I do without your papers ;-)), paper for scrunched circles from Hobby Ideas
Others: 3 D Glitter from Hobby Ideas, button and twine from stash

Cheers,
Smita

Blog candy and a little request

Go to Pauline's blog for a chance to take part in her big giveaway.

There is some more blog candy to be won at Claire's blog. Check it out:

And here is a little note on her blog about her 12 year old:

"Daniel is 12 on the 7th November and is on the Autistic Spectrum. He doesn't socialize and loves recieving your handmade cards. As most will know, for the last 2 years I have asked if some of you could send a card for him to open and the response has been overwhelming. He recieving nearly 100 last year. I think he enjoys this more than the presents. Love watching his face light up. He started a boarding school for Autistic Children in Sept and although he misses home, is slowly settling in and we do get him back every weekend. So if you could help, I'd truly appreciate it."


Let's try and do something for a little kid like him.


Love,
Smita

Over the Top award

I got this award from Nikita. Check out her pretty blog. Thank you Nikita.

I also received this award from Shalini, another awesome Indian card maker. Check out her oh-so-pretty creations! Thank you, Shalini, and I am sorry this comes late.

Since I answered this list only a couple of days back, do drop by that post for the answers ;-)

I would like to pass on this award to all card makers from India for daring to be different and for overcoming all problems to continue with a hobby and passion! Cheers to the gang! :-)

Love,
Smita

More candy

There's more yummy candy at Jacque's blog. Check it out:

Visit the blog, spread the word and wish that you win it ;-)

Love,
Smita

Candy @ Jacqui's blog

Check out Jacqui's fab candy... and you better hurry! The last date is 14th November.

Bloom and grow... :-)

Hi all,

I am on  roll... LOL!! Here's a quick card from me. This is for this week's 2S4U sketch, Laura's sketch # 38. How I love their sketches!! :-)
I have also submitted this for the first Quixotic Challenge. Their challenge is to make a Birthday card.

I am quite happy with my card ;-) (when am I not these days!!?) .. he he...I have used an old favorite technique of mine - Dahlia fold. Just that it was so much easier this time around with the teeny weeny circle punch!! Those who have bigger punches can whip up bigger flowers in seconds, of course!

Ingredients

CS: Silver CS from the DCVW stack, polka dot paper from Hobby Ideas, DP from a Heidi Grace stack (thanks again, Donna), blue velvet paper from Paper Company (thanks again, Chirag), yellow paper for the flowers from stash

Others: Rub ons from Heidi Grace (Donna!!),stone embellishments from local craft store (used as leaves), tiny flowers in the center from local craft store, Fevicryl 3D outliner 

And yes, there's a little stamp from Hobby Ideas (my first corner stamp) :-)

That's it from me, girls!

Cheers,

Smita

Pretty simple!!

:-)

I made a simple card yesterday... and for once, I immediately liked what I made... I was in a major mood for crafting but in no mood to turn on the comp and check out any challenge blogs... so I set my own challenge - to make a card using stuff that are available out here. I decided not to use any DP or fancy embellishments that are not readily available in my city ;-) Yeah, I know I took it too far by the last specification..LOL!! But I did manage it ;-)

Here is the card:

Ingredients

CS: White textured (TK) paper as base; Chocolate brown and green tinted papers

Stamp: Leaf stamp from a pack of clear stamps from Hobby Ideas

Others: Sentiment sticker, flower, and brown satin ribbon from local craft stores

And here is a big secret... I hate the color Chocolate brown ;-) but I just decided to use it and see if I can like it on cards :D

Love,

Smita

A lovely blog award

Hi all,

Yay yay yay!! I received this lovely blog award from Shalini, a fellow Indian crafter. :-) Thanks a ton Shalini...

I have to answer these questions in one word... let me give this a try!

1. Where is your cell phone? Table
2. Your hair? Wavy
3. Your mother? Superwoman
4. Your father? My idol
5. Your favorite food? Italian
6. Your dream last night? Friends and family
7. Your favorite drink? Coffee
8. Your dream/goal? Travel the world
9. What room are you in? Guest-room
10. Your hobby? Paper Crafting
11. Your fear? Animals
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Big house with a separate craft room!!
13. Where were you last night? Home
14. Something you aren't? Tall
15. Muffins? Delicious
16. Wish list item? Cuttlebug
17. Where did you grow up? India
18. Last thing you did? Breakfast
19. What are you wearing? Kurta and leggins
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your pets? Hate them
22. Friends? World over
23. Your life? Interesting
24. Your mood? Happy
25. Missing someone? My sister
26. Vehicle? Car
27. Something you're not wearing? Ring
28. Favourite store? Hobby Ideas
29. Favourite colour? Bright
30. When was the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Day-before-yesterday
32. Your best friend? Kunkuma
33. One place I go to over and over? Kitchen!!
34. Facebook? Yes
35. Favourite place to eat? Restaurants ;-)

I'd like to pass this award on to Sharanya, Donna, Sankari, Dora, and Maria.

Cheers,

Smita

New cards but no pictures (Pictures added now!!)

Hi all,

For once, I am not posting to tell that I have been lazy and not doing any bit of crafting. ;-) I did make a few things this week but unfortunately don't have pictures. I took pictures on my mobile phone but can't transfer them yet...

I finally tried an Easel card that had long been on my mind (using the latest 2S4u sketch). Made it for Richa and Chirag... it is their first anniversary next month and they left for the US yesterday. I sent it along with them... if I can make something else, I will post them later.

I also made a 6*6 card box for one card. And it turned out quite cool too. I'll put in the pics later.

Cheers,

Smita

I am back!!

Well, finally!! And about time too... Ok, for those who don't remember me (guess most don't coz I have been missing in action for a long time now), I am a cardmaker from India. I love crafting (no needlework and knitting though) when I have some spare time... I got into card making quite accidentally never having thought I could pursue a craft so seriously. This blog is my attempt to bring out the creativity in me. I do not sell my cards and mostly make them for personal use.

I have not been active in blog land for around 5 months now due to some personal problems. And during these last few months most of my crafting activities have been centered around my son - costumes for school functions; masks, animals with moving tails, trunk etc... when he was bored; trying many types of papercraft during his holidays just to keep him occupied and entertained - kind of sums up everything I have made since June! :-)) Why, just today I made him a spider bracelet that should do fine for his school's Halloween celebration (it isn't a very popular day around here so the bracelet and a spooky hat should be good enough).

Ok, coming down to the cards. I finally managed to get some time to do my own thing and decided to get down to some serious crafting. My favorite sketch blog has always been 2Sketches4you. So my comeback card (whoa! I am making myself sound like a celebrity, huh?) had to be based on their sketch.

The first card here is very loosely based on the sketch. I had to try these paper flowers from Kathy's blog somewhere so I added them to this card. I haven't added the sentiment yet. The champagne bottle and flute are stickers. I threaded a few buttons together for the embellishment.

Ingredients

CS: Metallic CS from DCVW, plain CS's from stash, DP from Hobby Ideas

Others: Leaf punch by Jef, 3D outliner from Hobby Ideas (used as champagne)

This second card is more of an actual adaptation of the sketch. Sorry about the poor light; the pics were taken from a mobile phone. Sentiment not yet added. This is an anniversary card like the previous one. I have 2 entwined hearts here (not clear in the pic) - a pink and a blue. The flowers and leaves were punched and hand embossed. Basically, it took a lot of effort to punch and shape all those flowers ;-)

Ingredients:

CS: Metallic CS from DCVW, others from stash

Punches: Flower punch from Carla craft, leaf from Jef

Others: rhinestones from stash, 3D outliner from Hobby Ideas, white microbeads from stash

That's from me for now. Hoping to be able to craft more often.

Cheers,
Smita