Kreativity and Me

Tipsy well card

2012-01-24T11:36:00.000+05:30

Who hasn't seen the awesome projects done by Dr.Sonia at her blog. My son, Aaryan, and I are in awe of her creations and even yesterday we were ogling at her work! :)) He had a birthday party to attend in the evening and though initially we hadn't intended to give a card, we thought we'd tweak the wishing well in Dr. Sonia's post and make something 3D. Pardonnez-moi the extremely terrible photos...

We didn't put in much effort... just made it using paper from the DCWV Nana's Kids/Nursery pack and added some buttons and stickers. It was a very quick card and didn't really look as hopeless as it does in the pictures :D

Ciao,

Smita

Space Jam

2012-01-09T12:37:00.000+05:30

Hello everyone!

I have been MIA for a while now.... but I have been busy crafting :) Some of you have seen the pics, but here are some glimpses....

The invite (thank you Shalini for the number cutouts!):

The party decor:

The birthday boy:

The rest of it:

Smita :)

Favorite

2011-12-11T16:07:00.000+05:30

Hello people,

I am back :) and with craft to share!! I've been working on an anniversary album for a week now (this was for a friend's friend's friend... lol!!)

This is a picture heavy post, and I hope you like it...

Let me start with the cover page. This as well as all the titles in the album are my client's own (quite close to her heart and defining each memory she has wanted me to capture through this album):

The next page has a 'little' accordion book on the left (with pull out tags) for her to write reasons why she loves her husband:

The next page has a little card cum photo frame for slipping in a photo and for personal notes inside:

(I did an overlay of a song on a transparent acetate sheet for this page... didn't click a picture of it though)

This is a tag pull out from the same page.. the silhouette image is a free clipart that I printed and hand cut (the moment here was another personal memory that I needed to capture):

The next page is simpler than the rest with less detailing:

The next page is dedicated to her son. The 'door' opens and a personal message appears inside with place for a photo:

This is a page dedicated to their new house:

and its related tag:

The next is one of my favoritest bits... it is a page capturing some romance:

and finally the last page and a tag. The guitar is hand drawn and cut...

Yes, not a very big album but the customization and thinking took me a bit longer than I'd usually take for an album. But I am quite glad of the outcome... fingers crossed that the intended recipients like it too!

Ciao,

Smita

Creativity and me...

2011-11-30T10:05:00.002+05:30

Hello everyone!

I know my posts have been a bit too sporadic in the past few months. This time I have no reasons... I don't know what's been keeping me from crafting. Busy, yes, but not sooo busy that I can't craft. Anyway, here is what I have to share with you today:

First, a 'card' by Aaryan for his favorite 'chachu' (my husband's younger brother):

Not the best picture I guess, and not the best work by Aaryan but yes, it is from his heart :D My boy has used only scrappy bits that Mamma 'doesn't need'. He just came and asked me if I could spare some things - anything - that I may not want; then sat with his glue stick and created this by sticking it all in a random pattern. He also upcycled some things (like the plastic sheet in the middle, a stone that came off from a sandal - insisting that it is a black colored diamond for his uncle- and that foam letter 'E' which is not a letter but just a 'pattern'!) I asked if he wanted my help folding a card but he said he didn't want to make a 'normal' card and he just wanted to do his own thing!! :D The flowers are ready made but everything else is scrap that was lying in my scrap pile! And it is a big card!!! He has signed off with his name too :-p

I am, of course, submitting this for the ICR kids card challenge.

Second, a card my sister-in-law asked me to make for her hubby (yes, Aaryan's favorite uncle, that is):

The inside:

and the coordinating envelope:

Well, the story behind it is related to those headphones! I have finally realized something... though we keep saying that it is difficult to craft for men, there is one thing that isn't so difficult. Every man has a weakness (apart from the woman in their life ;-) ) - sports, gadgets, cars or such like! And my brother-in-law is a gadget freak :-p with these speakers and headphones being on his wishlist forever! :D So, though nobody is yet gifting him these, I thought it would go well in her card! The quote is of course partly Shakespeare and partly me ;-)

All that glitters on this card and envelope is Pie Lane! :)

I love the heart chain! ;-) It took me a while to get the trick right though... courtesy a utube video.

I am submitting this card for:

Rainbow Lady's Challenge Blog - Challenge 180 - Cards for men

Ciao,

Smita

Nothing crafty but something yummy!

2011-11-14T15:23:00.000+05:30

Hey there everyone!!

How have you been? I know it has been a while since I posted... but luckily the mood is now better than it was a month ago... Thanks for your prayers... my mom in law is doing better now.

Happy Children's Day to all kiddos in India. :) Here is what I made for my boy:

Angry Birds is Aaryan's current obsession!! :D Of course, there is more than enough inspiration online! I used stuff that I had at home to make our very own Angry Bird Pizza :)

Hoping to get back to crafting soon!

Ciao,

Smita

Happy Diwali

2011-10-17T10:05:00.000+05:30

Hi all,

We are going to our hometown tomorrow. Happy Diwali to all my Indian friends from me and my family. I have no card of my own to share; but here's a Diwali card that Aaryan made (with some help from his drawing teacher and a teeny bit of help from me):

He has glued on Pie Lane glitter balls on the tips of the firework display. {Aaryan: "Mamma, I saw you had a box of glitter that you used in the sports card sometime back... Can you please share it with me?" Me: " Ah well, now that you know I have it, you may use it"}

The inside of the card. He has drawn his favorite toffees inside. He has used Pie Lane glitter balls and jumbo glitter for decorating the diya (lamp).

Thanks for the tip on how to take out glitter balls in a bowl and use, E.T. We didn't do it this time, but I have conveyed the idea to him :)

Do leave my little one some love ;-)

Happy Diwali to all of you once again!

Smita and Aaryan

Anniversary Album

2011-10-12T17:26:00.002+05:30

Hi all,

My mother in law hasn't been keeping well for the last couple of days and was in a critical condition yesterday. Please do remember her in your prayers. She is recovering now but not yet fully well! :(

I wanted to share an anniversary album (envelope album measuring approximately 9" * 6") that I made on order for a friend's friend. She had seen some of my work and asked if I could make one for her to give her hubby on their anniversary. I am not really very good with albums but I've given this my very best shot.

This is going to be a image heavy post!

PS: The page and album title are her own and she'll be adding the pictures later.

For the cover page, I used some gorgeous Hobby Ideas paper and a boat cut out from old denim (yeah, I am finally learning to recycle and reuse!). The album is intended for a person who sailed a great deal! :)

The themes for the pages denote moments in the couple's life so I won't elaborate on them here. This page is one of the most interesting ones, and here is a little video (my first ever!) showing how the pull tag works:

I got the video for this sliding mechanism on uTube - and I think this was it.

Here, I made a little easel card on one side and I've left space for journaling and a picture. I loved the tiny easel! :) I've used Pie Lane glitter strips here.

This acetate pull out tag with Eric Segal's Love Story cover on one side and journaling space on the other was an idea I got when she briefed me about them.

This page is for their kids (as is obvious)! and the little pocket on the left is for some memorabilia that she has saved for a long time. The pages flap open on both sides like this:

This page is for their sailing days together. I am so glad I have appropriate TH masks!! :) The sailor's cap/boat (not too sure what it looks like now :-p) is made from one of the pages of Love Story :D. The blue paper on the right is again recycled - it is from the bit of leftover wallpaper from my parents' home. Can you see the Pie Lane glitter balls on the right border? :)

The flappy folded part on the right was an idea I picked right out of a magazine. It landed in my lap yesterday and the moment I saw it, I knew I wanted to recreate. :) The gap in between is measured for a photograph.

This is one of my favorite bits of recycling. I recycled tape from an old audio cassette tape... not my idea of course... i tweaked a tutorial from here.

More journaling space apart from the pull out tags.

Another simple but favorite page.

The back cover... love this paper and I am really sad it is over :(

I was inspired by Laura of Following the Paper Trail and from Flickr galleries. But most of it came by on its own because my customer had some specific ideas in mind.

Hope you liked my attempts at making a full fledged album!

Ciao...

Smita

A quick project

2011-10-05T11:51:00.000+05:30

Hi there people,

Oh yes, I am still around. I have been crafting a bit though I haven't had the time to blog... :D While I am working on a slightly big project (should be done by next week), here's what I just created...

We are going on a short break with Vineet's childhood friends tomorrow. I wanted to gift something to the wives (who are good friends of mine)... I started out thinking I would create favor bags and put in a little something for them but then decided against it and this is what I came up with:

These are altered notepads. Aren't they cute?! Since I want to give these off as a surprise, I couldn't ask them for pics and had to make do with what I could find on their Facebook pages ;-) I used my old favorite ribbon technique here :) The flower buttons were a gift from my sister-in-law. And the stinkin' cute paper is the amongst the last bits from my Heidi Grace pack (Donna sent these a couple of years ago :) ).

I also created a few tags for the kids' gifts.... they are just plain and simple labels layered with PP. :)

Ciao soon...

Hugs,
Smita

Shadow box card

2011-09-18T14:18:00.001+05:30

A few days back a close friend asked me to make her a card (that will go from her son to her husband). She asked me to use a 4"*6" photograph and its bright background for the card. I haven't ever worked on a photo card I guess, except the layout that I made for DH last year. I wanted to make something special and different for her... and I had a window card in mind...

But then I saw this card by Kavitha and did some tutorial searches... I finally came across what I really wanted on the Rubber Cafe Design Team blog. It was just what I needed.

The card's front view:

The inside:

Their favorite toys handcut and glittered with Pie Lane glitter and glitter balls :) :

PS: What's glitter doing on a masculine card, did you just ask?! Well, in India a little bit of glitter 'zaroori hota hai' (is essential...) ;-)

(oh and there are Pie Lane glitter strips peeping through too :) )
A view from the side:

It does look much neater IRL!!

Thanks for the inspiration - Kavitha, Ujjwal (no recycling though :( ) and the Rubber Cafe.

Hugs,
Smita

Easy-peasy!

2011-09-13T14:12:00.001+05:30

Hey there people!

I did some simple projects over the last few days... Here's a glimpse:

1) For my cards and crossword loving grandpa, I created a mini book with some French words that he keeps calling me for :) {No, I am no expert but I can manage a good bit of French ;) , c'est tout!}

This project was inspired by the Moxie Fab World Card Play challenge and I used the tutorial from here. Mine is nowhere close but grandpa liked it :)

2) For my forgetful Mother-in-law, who keeps losing her mini telephone diary all the time, I created this:

This is quite a scrappy project and wholly inspired by Ujjwal. I used her tutorial of a recycled notebook and used an empty Cross pen box... It was very sturdy and matched my papers beautifully. The flower is a local buy (it is too cute IRL). And the alpha stickers are from Hobby Ideas. I added some ribbon on the binder rings and also a little note on the side for my MIL ;-) .

Submitting this for Lynn's recycle challenge at Yvonne's blog.

3) And for my crafty and adorable little boy, I made this:

A paper bag puppet, Pinnochio. He was to carry a story book character to school... I am not too keen on buying or giving him soft toys; and we decided we'd make our own character. He gave me some ideas for the nose and tips on the colors to use and then ran away! Poor Mamma was left behind crafting away and using all techniques she knew to make a decent puppet... he loved it :) and so did his teacher and friends ;-)

I am loving crafting for my dear ones... have some more to stuff to make and give away to friends ;-)

Blog Award

2011-09-09T17:11:00.001+05:30

I crafted today....hurray! :) Not a card but a paper bag Pinocchio (Aaryan needed it for school)... I'll share the picture later. not too great but I am happy.. I did have to cheat a bit and give him excuses for messing some things up though ;-) {psst. don't tell him I said this}

Thank you Juhi for this lovely award:

Q1) Name your favorite color? Bright colors - current favorites are orange and yellow

Q2) Name your favorite song? Words by Boyzone and Yesterday by The Beatles

Q3) Name your favorite dessert? Hmmm... Macaroons, mousses, tiramisu (almost everything)

Q4) What worries you off at the moment? I have been worrying my head off about getting my home in order again. Loads of people around at the moment and I don't know how to start redoing...

Q5) Your favorite pet? Sorry but I am not an animal lover!

Q6) Black or White? White

Q7) Your biggest fear? What if DH stops loving me... :( {no, he assures me he won't}

Q8) Best feature? Don't know, but I like my eyes

Q9) Everyday attitude? Wish today is the best day of my life! :)

Q10) What is perfection? Being a dependable daughter, a loved wife, a 4am friend-sister, an always-there-for-him Mom AND still being myself!

Q11) Guilty pleasure? Love to shop for clothes and accessories (craft shopping is zilch at the moment) and keep wanting more watches and bags!

Q12) When you're upset you? loads of things like - Cry, scream (at anyone in sight), cook, craft, read, blurf

I would like to pass this award on to:

Shalini
Donna
Ujjwal
Savitri
Juhi
Tejal

Away from crafting for so long means...

2011-09-07T12:23:00.001+05:30

.... that you will take hours to make one simple card! :D

But hey, I am back again with a little beauty:

Don't know if it qualifies for either, but I am submitting this card to:

1. Moxie Fab World - Tuesday Trigger (Garden Glory)

2. Card Patterns Sketch # 131

A very simple card using some amazing things I bought a long time back. The metal embellishment in the middle is a local buy and so are the golden flower brads. I loved them and thought I'd use them on this card that I'll be sending to my sister-in-law, who is soon getting engaged. The beautiful green patterned paper was a 'Rakhi' gift from her this year ;-). The glitter paper is also a local buy from the Anupam store near my place.

The twine has a story to it though. My grandma was an excellent crafter... she embroidered gorgeous gorgeous sarees. She was passed on this lovely silken crochet thread from one of her family members. When she saw my developing interest in craft (before she passed away in Jan '09), she, in turn, passed it on to me, and asked me to use it well because it was a very very old spool. :) Today is only the second time I've used this shaded string...

...dedicating this post to my granny!

Love,

Smita

Absence makes the heart fonder...

2011-08-22T13:39:00.000+05:30

.... or so I am choosing to believe! :) I am hoping against hope that I have been missed in blogland.... haven't I, me dear blog buddies? :) Lol! I know this year has been terrible for my blogging (starting from April/May). Well, I couldn't help it most times - schoolwork for example!! I didn't even have access to a computer on most days. :( A new member in the family (OMG! No! I haven't had another baby :-p) has meant a lot of adjustment and extra work at home on my end. Finally, hubby decided I needed my own laptop to help preserve my sanity :) and here I am! Yes, I know you are happy for me {winks}.... thank you! ;-)

I haven't crafted since my last post though... :( I am hoping to try something this week. Please please please pray that I am here for good now!

Hugs,

Smita

To do or not to do....

2011-07-18T10:22:00.000+05:30

Heya people,

Yep, it is me! After another long absence. :) I have a post-it note holder to share today. My younger brother has been asking me to make one for him since last year (yeah, that long!!) and I finally made one just before the start of his 5th semester in college and just before his 20th birthday ;-) {I've asked him to take it instead of a card... mean me but I have had no time to craft :( }...

I loved how it turned out :) and he did too! I have not really used jute on any project so far but now I'm in love with it :). The boat and anchor are hand-drawn and cut. A few days of absence from blogland has taken my creativity back to where it should be I guess ;-) And I made it without feeling bad about not having a male-themed stamp set or die-cut set! I loved the effect of the script embossed on red... The button is an RAK from Tejal and the ribbon from Shalini.

Do you like it? I'd love to read your comments :)

Ciao,

Smita

A quick post...

2011-07-08T12:30:00.000+05:30

Here is my submission for the Play Date Cafe Challenge #89 and Card Patterns sketch #122:

Pardon the terrible pictures.... very gloomy weather out here :( The papers are all Pink Paisley (won at Michelle's challenge on Yvonne's blog). The envelope idea is from the uber -talented Juhi.

That's for now... I'll update this post later with more info on the card ;-)

Ciao,

Smita

And finally...!

2011-07-01T16:24:00.001+05:30

After attempting to get back to at least one card for the past few days, finally, I managed! I seriously have mojo issues though :(

{Psst: I think I've forgotten how to click pictures as well... This looks tilted LOL}
Stamps: PTI Beautiful Blooms II, PTI Mega Mixed Messages
Ink: Versamagic Red and Turquoise; Hobby Ideas Green
Others: PTI MatStack 1 die (for masking), PTI Eyelet lace border die

I tried the technique at PTI's Make-It-Monday (Polaroid 2-step masking). It is interesting and lot of fun. The first one I made ended up getting soiled and I had to redo it but I'm quite satisfied with the result. Didn't have great white ink, so I used VersaMagic Turquoise for sponging around. It sure looks brighter in reality. I followed the sketch at Card Patterns (#121). Gorgeous sketch....

I am surprised I am managing to make something without patterned paper. This is definitely not my type of a card but hey, a girl can try out other things too :-p

Ciao,

Smita

Thank You!!

2011-07-01T09:50:00.000+05:30

Heya people,

This post is dedicated to my friends in blogland :). I'm touched by all the love I have got from great friends out here. I thought it would take me the longest time ever to get back to crafting and into your minds... but you all proved me wrong. Thanks to everyone who sent warm anniversary wishes our way on the 27th. A lot of my family members forgot but you all didn't and I am overwhelmed by the love!

We even received a few anniversary cards (and guess what? SMITA has still not made that special card for her DH!!). Vineet was surprised that people I hadn't met were wishing us on our big day! :)

Thanks Tejal for this 'Beautiful' card!

Thanks Ujjwal for the 'large' wishes (this is a big card :))

Thank you Ash for 'thinking of us'!!

Thank you all once again for keeping us in your thoughts!!

Hugs,

Smita

Lily Pad Cards

2011-06-29T10:59:00.001+05:30

Have you visited Lily Pad cards? I've been seeing links to it on many blogs ever since I got back from vacation...

I became a Member of Lily Pad Cards today! Go become a member for a chance to win a collection of Hero Arts stamps. Contest closes at 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, July 15!

Smita

Comeback...ummm well, trying to!

2011-06-23T09:31:00.004+05:30

Hey there people!!

How have you been doing?! Remember me? :) I know it has been the longest ever absence! Well, I am now trying to get back to crafting! And it is very tough after these 2 months! I have been home for a while now, but didn't have access to the computer (my new sister-in-law needed it for her work) and I was also occupied with Aaryan (school's just begun last week!) - ahh, well.... excuses! Anyway, trying to get back my lost mojo and I hope you'll help me find it ;-)

Nothing much to talk about the card. I chose the sketch at Card Patterns (#120) to come out of my self claimed sabbatical! You know my love for sketches... they usually help me start off :) I used the PTI backgrounds (Background Basics - Retro) stamp set and stamped them alternately in 2 colors. Just in case you didn't notice, the sentiment is raised... I aligned and stamped the background on a bit of white CS again and popped it up against the existing background.

Hoping to be more active now on! See you around...

Hugs,

Smita

Itty-bitty Caterpillar Ride

2011-04-15T18:45:00.001+05:30

Hello people,

I know I said I'd be absent for a while... but hey, a girl can craft when she is in a super duper mood ;-) And when there is a delicious challenge on 'for the first time ever' at the Indian Craft Room blog, who would want to miss it?

The challenge combines a color palette PLUS our interpretation of I-C-R! Here is the palette:

And here is my take: Itty-bitty Caterpillar Ride mini for a very close friend's son who loves caterpillars (and that was the starting point of course):

Well, the inside pages don't really go with the color challenge but keeping my fingers crossed that this quick (yep, 3 hours or so :) - quite obvious from the tons of stickers) mini is accepted! Let me run you through the pages:

I had to rely on the leftover Printasticks and alpha stickers I had :( {NOTE to self --- if I want to create albums I must order some alpha dies!!}

Tried a baragello technique here (inspiration from SCS of course!):

Again, foam alphas from local stationers... buttons were Aaryan's idea:

Ok, the sticker is girly.. sorry... hoping the 1 year old boy won't notice :-p

A little note card on the left to write a personalized message:

The blank pages are for pics... I'll need to see if I have any to print and stick or I'll leave it to her to journal...

Did I mention that the papers are mostly DCWV (Nana's Nursery and Mat Stack) and Hobby Ideas (last blue dots page). Corrugated sheets are from the local craft/stationery store.

Hope you liked it!

I am not done yet... Tejal has some yummy bling candy up for grabs! :) Why don't you go to the talented lady's blog and check out the rules :) to win this gorgeous candy:

A couple of blog awards

2011-04-13T17:16:00.000+05:30

Hi everyone,

I am a bit too occupied at the moment and unable to craft... just thought I'd share a few lovely blog awards that I received recently....

1) I received this award from my friend, Christina. Thank you so very much, girl!

2) I got this one from my friend, Suzanne. Thank you dearie!

Aaryan and I are leaving for Kolkata next week so I might not be blogging actively till then and I definitely won't be online after the 24th for a month. Excited and looking forward to my brother in law's wedding :) wish you all a month of crafting delight! :)

Hugs,
Smita

A mini album-card

2011-04-08T17:59:00.001+05:30

Hi there,

Yeah, it has been a while since I posted something... just plain busy... my brother in law's wedding is just about a month away and we are a little busy with things now :) I have been crafting too... just that I didn't post some little projects. Anyway, for the last 2 days (it took me the longest time ever!!), I've been busy with this little project for Vineet's cousin sister's daughter...

Inspired by colors from Moxie Fab World's Tuesday Trigger:

This project is inspired by Laura's Garden Bugs Train mini album. I wanted to make something fun and cute for the little girl... I'm not overly happy with my choice of papers though :( but I'm glad with the final outcome! {Note to self: Use papers from the same pack next time I am in a hurry.... saves lot of time that I otherwise spend on matching!)

I loved the cute bugs in Laura's album.... couldn't do them justice here but I hope she likes it!

The cupcake is from a PTI stamp set... I filled in the icing with poster colors for brighter shine ;-)

The brad (center of the flower) was part of something I won at Yvonne's blog.

The 'Hello Kitty' chipboard piece is something I've been hoarding for a while not knowing what to do with it....

Ok, I messed up both these pages by writing in my stupid handwriting :( ... well, shows its handmade-ness!

Just wanted to show you this pretty paper lace tape I'd got from Hobby Ideas (before it closed down in my area :( ).

I know I could add more ribbon and flowers to the rings and pages... but I'm too lazy... I might add some before I give it away today :D

and finally... though the wrapping looks a bit shabby, I want to share a pic of this amazing ribbon :)... no, i didn't buy it! My mom had a roll of it lying with her (for God knows how long!) and she thought only I could use it :-p

Ciao soon,

Smita

PS: Aaryan is watching me type and wants me to add his name (the only word he can spell and read) in this post... big hugs from him to my blog friends :p

Long time...

2011-04-01T15:31:00.000+05:30

Ahh here I am after eons! Blame the stupid internet connection... it has been down for some 10 days now!

But here's a little something that I created:

I am submitting this for RRR Challenge #21 - Use dies/punches and ribbon.

And another card that was more of an attempt to get the mojo rolling:

Nothing much to talk about here, but yeah, sometimes cards like this just have to be :-/

Aaryan's not keeping well today so I am keeping this short.

Ciao (hopefully I won't vanish again soon)

Smita

Flourishes Speed Challenge

2011-03-18T13:51:00.000+05:30

Hi again,

I can't believe this is my second post :-p. Anyway, this is a super speedy card that I made for the Flourishes Speed Challenge and just in time too :)

I am also submitting this for Michelle's challenge on Yvonne's blog (again!)... as you can see, I clearly have stepped totally out of my comfort zone!

I tried to go vintage-shabby chic but I guess ended up being just 'shabby' (in a layperson's terminology!! :( ). The girly image is a rub on... The lace is really vintage (belonged to my great grandmom :)). In my hurry, I made a lot of mistakes but I am still hoping you like it :)

Hugs,
Smita

Toasted and Not-my -Style Thank Yous :)

2011-03-18T12:01:00.000+05:30

Heya people,

Ok, so I have been MIA again. The internet connection at home was down for more than 2 days and we had a problem in the family. Still praying that everything's alright very soon :(.

This is going to be a longish post... I hope you do read along though ;-)

I managed some crafting though. This first card is called the 'Toasted Thank You' card!

The colors are from the Play Date Cafe Challenge #73... gorgeous colors (and thank you Shalini for describing them to me when I couldn't access the net):

I'm also submitting this for Your Next Stamp challenge - make it sparkle.

The sketch I used was an adaptation of a Papercrafts Magazine sketch (I don't know where but I think most bloggers had been posting about the cards that didn't make it; and I got the link/sketch from one of those). I love sketches anyway ;-). I added the kraft label frame to a die cut lavender sheet; then adhered the circles; and then embossed the whole thing (that seems to be my latest fascination....). Then I rubbed some clear ink over it and added embossing powder and heat embossed over the toaster (he he...). You'll need to look closely to see it shine I guess ;-)

Now to the name of my card... well, I stamped the sentiment and added embossing powder; I was trying my best to use a tong to hold the little piece over the toaster but it fell right in!! {GULP}; I took it out before it was too late but the poor thing was almost toasted :-p

My next card isn't my style; and I was inspired by dozens of such cards that I've seen all over the place:

I've tried stepping out of my comfort zone (layers layers and more layers is what I like and do most of the time though I'm still finding my style!)... these gorgeous blooms are from the Hero Arts set that Emily sent for me. I love the versatility of this set. I'd tried a simple one layer card earlier... and this one is with some stamping, coloring and paper piecing. I have not been able to take part in most of the challenges I love this year... This card is my entry for:

1) Michelle's challenge on Yvonne's blog - Get out of your comfort zone

2) Your Next Stamp challenge - make it sparkle (ok my red flowers are sparkling!)

That's it from me...

Smita

Scrappy Scrap Challenge with Shalini

2011-03-11T14:25:00.000+05:30

We had a fun and exciting challenge organised by the very talented Shalini of Craft Curry! She sent out crafty scraps to all the participants, who, in turn, created scrappy masterpieces with them - I am not kidding! You've got to hop over and see what everyone has come up with. And of course, vote for your top 3 :)

The rules were simple. We could use:

(Content from Shalini's blog)

Card Stock
Adhesives
Color pens/Markers/Pens and other writing instruments
Your tools like the scissors, punching machines, die cutters, etc… Only the tools/machines can be used… what you use them on, has to be either the above card stock or the scraps…
Stamps

Only one stamp allowed
No image stamp - only borders, sentiments, flourishes etc allowed

This is what I received from Shalini:

I fell in love with the patterned paper the moment I saw it! It was a gorgeous green. But my excitement was kind of short lived :-p and I was soon tensely wondering what to create so that each element was given full justice! I finally settled on a shaped card:

Though I have made circle cards before, I am never too confident with them. I was very nervous (don't ask me why) while making this card and till I sent out the pic to Shalini; DH didn't really say anything about the card but my darling son was pretty impressed :D

I almost forgot the acetate and the scalloped acetate circle was a last minute addition; it looked too plain so I pulled out (literally!) beads from the lace and stuck it on to the acetate!

This card was inspired by Mojo Monday Sketch 180.

Run along and vote for the best! :)

Ciao,

Smita

Not so happy...

2011-03-07T15:45:00.000+05:30

I am not so happy with today's card. It was a very quick one though.

I think I am in love with the PTI Mat Stack set. :) Just waiting to lay my hands on the right ink... What I didn't like is the color combination. I think my card turned out much tooo dull for my taste!

I am submitting this for the Card Patterns challenge this week:

Trying to find my Mojo to create something special before Wednesday! :(

Supplies:

Patterned Paper: All Hobby Ideas

Stamps: PTI Mat Stack1

Tools: Distressed stripes embossing folder, MS double loop punch, Mat Stack1 die

Others: 'vintage' ric rac and button from mom ;-)

Hope you liked this one!

ciao,
Smita

Cased

2011-03-06T18:25:00.000+05:30

I want to share a scraplifted card today. My card is inspired by this card by Laura- the Stampin' Soldier:

I am kind of a new visitor to Laura's blog and I love her ways with patterned paper. Here is my feeble attempt:

Again, a book backdrop. It is kind of not so bright at this hour so my picture is just so-so. But I liked my card!

Supplies:

PP: DCWV (the Blue polka dot one; my brother-in-law took the trouble to go to a new scrapbooking store in town and heard my instructions on phone and got me the Nana's Kids pack - all thanks to Tejal again for introducing me to the store!) and Pebbles Inc (yellow)
Stamps: PTI
Embellishments: Ribbon was an RAK from Shalini (love ya girl!), button from stash
Others: The checkered vintage'' paper is really vintage ;-) and given by my dad (ok, let me tell you he hoards stationery more than anyone I know! and he will never part with anything; I had to beg for a few sheets :D )

Ciao,
Smita

Inspired...

2011-03-04T17:05:00.000+05:30

While making this card, I realised how much I love sketches! I just can't do without them :(. I had decided on the papers and on some things I wanted to include in the card, but I couldn't find a sketch that would go with all of them put together. And my mind went blank! So I randomly stuck pieces here and there :-/.

Did you notice my cute little banner? NO??? Oh, I thought you would :( Here it is:

Now this is where the title of my post comes from :) - this banner is inspired by one of my blog idols - Ashley Newell! Do I like her?? Uhh, I ADORE her work! She is fabulous... this came from one of her tutorials and I know I am nowhere close, but hey, I am trying!

I am submitting this card for this week's challenge over at The Play Date Cafe:

I chose to give my card a red splash (umm... more than a splash I think)!

Supplies:

CS: Fabriano Academia (White - thanks Tejal)

PP: Both Hobby Ideas

Others: Grosgrain ribbon (finally!) was an RAK from Shalini :) and my colored staples (yeah, they are back!) from a local stationer

Ciao,
Smita

PS: The card with a dictionary backdrop photo is also inspired by something similar I saw online a few days back!

Make a wish and live your bliss!

2011-02-28T17:04:00.002+05:30

Hi there people,

I have a bright and fun card to share with you today.

I tried to make it not-so-neat with splotches of color, embossing powder et al. When I get some new crafty supplies, I tend to forget the old ones.. Does that happen to you too?? Well, I decided to use a neglected item in this card and guess what it was? My cuttlebug embossing folder! I haven't used those in a long long time. And to think of it - I had been dying to own them last year! Evil me to have not used it!

I am submitting this card for a few challenges:

1) The Play Date Cafe challenge #70

2) Card Patterns Sketch #104

If you haven't seen Tejal's post on embossing techniques (with all unusual techniques listed out there, hop on to her blog NOW!)

A little about the card:

I created the quilted pattern with 2 patterned papers. I didn't have the shade of blue that I wanted so I painted them from a bottle of poster paint. Like a fool, I didn't order the big scallop border that I like so very much, so I used different sized circles to make that lime green line... I added embossing powder in bits and places using regular glue and then heat embossed the line with my toaster ;-) The flower is punched out of leftover wallpaper scraps from my parents' new home :)

Supplies

Stamps: All PTI (Background Basics-Retro, Cupcake collection, Mega Mixed messages)

PP: Pebbles Inc (green and orange); leftover wallpaper scrap for the flowers (thanks again to my sister and mom for preserving that one for me!)

CS: Fabriano

Others: A beautiful Jasmine flower punch by Cristina Re (thanks Papa :-) )

My sister and her husband left for the US after a 3 week long stay here in India... and we are already missing them :( Why are holidays sooooo short???

Ciao,

Smita

Just Because...

2011-02-22T14:37:00.002+05:30

Hi there,

Today I have a rather busy card to share with you. I have combined many challenges too (not something I usually can do!). Cutting short my blah-blah, here is the card:

Why do I call it a busy card - ah well! As most of my fellow Indian crafters know, we are finally getting some sort of embossing powder out here... I bought my first little jar over the weekend. If you look at my card base closely, you will notice that I have heat embossed flowers in the background (that's something 'new new new' for me!). Thanks to my good friend, Shalini, for introducing me to the method of heat embossing without a heat gun :-) a few months back. I've been trying it all day yesterday and did it again today :-). I also created a glitter strip inspired by the PTI Make It Monday Challenge. And I added some lace to outline the square PP panel.

The challenges I am submitting this card to, are:

1) Totally Hues Challenge #2 for the lovely colors (I tried getting the closest matches possible)

2) Mojo Monday Sketch #179

3) Make It Monday Challenge #3 - using a line of glitter

4) Incy Wincy Designs #82 - Use punches or dies

5) Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings #18 : Spring Themed card

Supplies used:

CS: Fabriano (chocolate and aqua)

PP: Pebbles Inc

Stamps: PTI Beautiful Blooms II, PTI Mega Mixed Messages

Ink: Pretty Color (Hobby Ideas)

Others: beautiful flower brad (RAK from Yvonne), gorgeous lace from mom's stash, buttons from my stash, felt from local craft store

Tools: Dies from PTI and Spellbinders

ETA: FOR MY INDIAN COUNTERPARTS - Embossing powder is available at Hobby Ideas stores. How good or bad it is, I do not know coz I haven't used any other. the original Indian Stamping Queen aka Tejal may be able to help us with that :-)

See you around,

Smita

Celebrate Today

2011-02-18T14:35:00.002+05:30

If you haven't yet seen the very interesting combined grind challenge over at the Play Date Cafe and Case Study challenge blogs, you must rush there now! I'm also submitting this card for the challenge at Simon Says Stamp - make your own embellishments. !

This was the inspiration at PDCC/Case Study -isn't it gorgeous?!? Well, I picked up some elements from this card and used the PDCC colors. Ah yes, you can see my new PTI dies and background stamp in action :) I take no credit for my 'beautiful' rhinestone arrangement (again a first attempt)... I was inspired by my friend, Shalini, who does this beautifully. I also distressed the edges (barely visible in the pic I guess) of the kraft cardstock with a good ol' nail filer and added some black soot Distress ink.

Other details:

CS: Fabriano (black), GinaK (kraft- thanks Emily)

PP: Hobby Ideas (red, red and green), RAK from Yvonne (used for the flower)

Stamps: PTI (background and sentiment), Hobby Ideas (leaves)

Ciao,

Smita

Friends!

2011-02-15T14:58:00.001+05:30

Hey girls,

As promised, I'm back to share a little card. This is a first for me in many ways - my first one layer card (God! it is so difficult... Tejal/Emily- how do you do it so often?!) my first card using only stamping and my first card using a brand new Hero Arts stamp set {courtesy Emily - thank you so much!!}.

A rather uncomplicated card, I know! My sister has recently come down from the US and with her came a few supplies - this fabulous stamp set that Emily got delivered to my sister's US address and the gridline acrylic block to name two. The sentiment is from PTI's Mega Mixed Messages. I added a dollop of bling in the flower centers because I kept feeling that something was missing.

I am submitting this card for the Hero Arts February Challenge - Friendship and for Card Patterns sketch #102.

Hope you liked it!

ETA: I received the cutest chocolate bars by post today... Thank you Shalini for making my day!!:)

Ciao,

Smita

Random ramblings

2011-02-15T12:17:00.000+05:30

Heya girls,

I know I haven't been crafting at all of late and hardly have any posts for the past few months. I hope that hasn't erased memories of me from your busy minds! :-p We got back from our trip to Udaipur on Sunday evening; we had not slept well for the past 2 weeks and I've been catching up with all your blogs since yesterday. I may not have left comments everywhere, but a girl does need some time to get back in pace, right? :-)

I received this award from dear Tejal:

I need to write something about myself and pass it on to others... Well, I am kind of hopeless in writing about myself but let me try:

1. I love being on my own. It might sound strange but that's the way I am. I love being home alone for a while everyday so that the only sound I hear is of my own thoughts; the only things I do is of my own will and nobody can order me around!

2. I love vacations with my family (a contradiction of sorts with the previous point :-) ). If I could have it my way, I'd take off to some place every 2 months so that I am refreshed and recharged!

3. I love cooking for my near and dear ones; but I have to be in a really good mood to cook something special!

4. I love shopping - who doesn't? But I've noticed that my shopping sprees have significantly reduced of late - guess I'm growing up :-p ! I'm also a stickler for brands and am usually loyal to specific brands; I don't care much for fashion as long as the fit is comfortable.

5. We love eating out but that again has now reduced significantly because we have suddenly become health conscious! But yes, Italian is my favorite cuisine. When DH and I go for fancy dinners, we have to have our soup, starters/antipasti, and a main. Desserts are generally not on my list while eating out though I do love them [I'm usually too full for dessert and I really can't do without a nice warm bowl of soup]!

6. I think I've mentioned this earlier but here I go again - I love my tea and coffee extra sweet :-) and with sweet biscuits/cookies. In fact I can have cookies any time of the day or night even if I ain't hungry.

7. I am proud of my collections of jewelery, watches and perfumes; and I am hoping to collect enough craft supplies to be proud of them some day!

8. Crafting has been my biggest stress buster of all times! It has introduced me to some of my closest friends now. Like Tejal mentioned in her list, I too don't have many girl friends around because I've already changed 4 cities but I am now finally happy that I've found friends in the 'virtual' world whom I can bug at any time of the day!

I'd like to pass on this award to:

Ciao soon with some crafty stuff!!

Hugs,

Smita

In pursuit of craftiness...

2011-01-27T09:27:00.000+05:30

hello there...!

I just am unable to craft. All my free time is going away in doing bits of work for others at home (mostly shopping!!) for my BIL's engagement early next month. I was supposed to make some money envelopes for my MIL too but haven't had the time to get the right supplies :-(

Anyway. cribbing apart, I'm actually loving the shopping except that it eats up my time! But hey, don't go away, I did manage some crafting yesterday evening, when Aaryan decided that he could be on his own for a while and not disturb me.... But it isn't a card. Here is what I created:

Yes, I finally altered some snap clips... (ignore the line of buttons on the back clip; that was just an experiment). I made these fabulous ribbon roses from a tutorial at Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings. I kind of like hair accessories and keep buying them from everywhere; I'd been wanting barrettes/snaps with flowers for a long time now but every time I saw one, I'd think I could try making it myself. And when I saw the rose tutorial, I knew where my first rose would go. This was just the thing I wanted! :-)

Do you like my hair accessories? Do tell me how they are... I'll probably make a few with bling now though my first attempts (with bling and buttons) have been hugely unsuccessful.

I may be MIA again for around 2+ weeks now. We're off to our hometown, Kolkata, on Sunday, and then to royal Udaipur for another wedding!

Take care!

Ciao,

Smita

Mad 'Bout U

2011-01-18T12:16:00.000+05:30

Hello there,

Yeah, I am still doing the disappearing act now and then! But I've been visiting you more often, huh? :-) Busy month ahead again! My brother-in-law is getting engaged soon and that's keeping me busy!

But here's my card for today:

I am submitting it for two challenges:

Card Patterns : for their sketch 98

Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings : for their Challenge 16 (Heart Theme)

I was in a mood to make a Valentine's Day card so the heart theme at RRR was just perfect....

I feel something's still missing in the card but can't figure out what. Here is the recipe anyway:

Cardstock : Fabriano from my stash

Patterned Paper : RAK from Yvonne

Stamps : The letter stamps are an old one from Hobby Ideas (I finally have got the hang of using them on a make shift block); the scattered hearts stamp is also from an old Hobby Ideas set

Others : I made the ribbon flower from a tutorial I saw at the RRR blog (wonder why I never saw their blog earlier!); the hearts are scallop punched and everything else is from my stash.

Hope you liked it.

Ciao,

Smita

Blessed!!

2011-01-11T16:29:00.000+05:30

I am blessed to have made some lovely friends on blogland! If you remember, I had mentioned in a previous post that the birthday card that Shalini had sent me was lost in transition... Well, my darling friend made another card and sent it again to me. And this time it reached intact... And what a card it is!!!

She actually took the trouble of printing one of my recent vacation trips and using it on this card! Love you, girl!!Though my photography isn't too good, I hope you can see the brilliant card! It came in a matching box (you can see the lid in the background) that was filled with wooden shavings... awesome! And tied with a very pretty bow (I love!!).

Aaryan's first reaction was 'Wow! Mamma you got such a pretty card'! ;-)

Thank you, Shalini, and everyone else for making this my bestest birthday ever by your thoughtful messages :-) I have never been joyously thinking about my birthday till mid Jan! :D

Ciao soon,

Smita

PDCC63 and MOJO Monday 172

2011-01-06T16:12:00.001+05:30

*** This is my second post for today. Scroll down for my previous post ***

Oh yes, I am on a roll :-D. I had been waiting for the PDCC colors because it has been really long since I played along. The colors are beautiful:

I based my card on the sketch at Mojo Monday:

A little about my card... I haven't used any patterned paper in this one. Instead I tried using a pattern I learnt in my painting class (nothing much, I can't draw and paint at all so I am taking lessons from Aaryan's teacher!). The green stripes pattern on the square panel is the pattern I created... I then embossed it with the Textile Texture embossing folder and then sponged some light green ink to create a nice effect on my pattern (I am not too sure if that is visible in the picture).

I have used Silver, Gold and Green gel pens for the faux stitching but they all look the same in the pic :-(. The stamp is from an Inkadinkado set. The Kraft CS was part of my birthday RAK from Emily (that was the only item the thief left behind :-/ ).

I am still trying to find my mojo... hope this post isn't too boring :-)

ETA: This is the card Tejal sent for Aaryan on his birthday :-)

Ciao,

Smita

Cards at last!

2011-01-06T12:24:00.000+05:30

I know I have been hopping around for a long time promising to be back soon :-p and hopefully I really am back now!! Life's been great though a little busy. This is going to be a post full of pictures so brace yourself ;-)

First, I'll share a card I (finally!) managed to create last night. I won't mention who it is for 'coz she just might drop by... It will go to her from her special somebody. ♥♥♥

Ok, now I want everybody to oooh and aaah over this card! It took me the longest time ever to make it :-( because I've been so out of touch!I could hardly think of anything romantic enough for the card and had to really really stare hard at my supplies to come up with this simple card :D In fact, I had even forgotten what supplies I had in hand! :-/

Anyway coming back to the card.. the PP is Pebbles Inc Sweetheart Follow Your Heart... I love it! Can you notice the layers on the light pink background? They are paper strips and are inspired by a card I saw on Ashley's blog (I've been following her work for more than a year now and though I can never reach her standards, I love love going through her creations and being inspired!). The silver circles are punched from silver CS and I added some rhinestones for a touch of bling ;-) Oh and yes, I have glue and glossed the entire PP layer LOL (thank you Tejal for introducing me to this!)

Here are the cards I received for my birthday:

Emily's card (photo from her blog) - the contents of her parcel were stolen!! The card too :-(

Rachana's card

Tejal's card (photo from her blog)

Juhi's card (photo from her blog) - one pearl was found missing and the card was crumpled slightly and delivered!

From a kid in my building - isn't it sweet? :-)

Shalini's card is lost in transition :-(

Note: I HATE THE INDIAN POSTAL/COURIER SYSTEM for stealing my stuff and for damaging these beautiful cards!!

Tejal also sent an adorable card for Aaryan's birthday and some lovely goodies for both of us. :-) But the little kiddo won't give me the card; I'll have to wait for him to click a picture of it :-)

Thank you all so much for your wishes once more!!

Hoping that you see more of me this year! ;-)

Hugs,

Smita

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T13:33:00.000+05:30

Well, I don't know how many readers I have lost by not being here in so long :D but here's wishing those of you who drop by a very happy, memorable and prosperous new year! May Good Luck, Good Health and Good Fortune be your closest friends in 2011 and always!

I would like to thank all of you for giving me so much love and encouragement this year! Thank You from the bottom of my heart! 2011 is promising to be a very busy year for me on the personal front but I am hoping to regularize crafting too.

Another note of thanks for all the lovely wishes on my birthday through texts and cards - Emily, Rachana, Shalini, Tejal, Juhi - thank you all! I'll put up pictures of the cards very very soon.

Hugs,
Smita

See you in 2011!

Sticker frenzy...

2010-12-07T22:18:00.000+05:30

I have been MIA a bit too often for too long now. This time it is my health and time constraints that have been keeping me away from crafting... I'm good now and hoping some of my crafty friends and their better halves are too ( I really have had you in my mind and prayers all the time, girls)!

My card today is a kiddie card for Vineet's colleague's twin kids (a boy and a girl) who are turning 1 this week. I went overboard with stickers , but with a small logic (that might not sound too logical to you LOL!) - little toddlers can't read but they can identify pictures ;-).

I realized today that my kiddie sticker collection only had 'boy'-themed stickers... hardly any 'pink-ish' flower/butterfly ones (forget dolls :D). The letters and number are all Printasticks.The paper is from Itsy Bitsy.

Ah! well.... did I mention that this is the same card flipped over :-). Well, I loved my concept...Don't know how to capture it in pictures but this definitely is the other side of the card :-)... Clever, huh? ;-) The paper is from Hobby Ideas!! Guess you all have seen it at Tejal's blog... she tempted me and forced me to go out and buy {evil laughter}even though I was planning to craft very less now on :-D

And that is a pop-up inside... I've done some stamping on the corners (cake, cupcakes, party hats and so on) and the top of the pop ups (seen from above) says 'Let's have a party'.

Hope you like it!

Ciao,

Smita

Layered...

2010-11-28T17:30:00.004+05:30

My take on this week's Card Patterns sketch (love it!) with The Play Date Cafe Colors ( difficult but interesting!) I wanted to make a masculine card (for my husband's brother who has a birthday this week) and the colors were perfect for the occasion. Just that they were really tough for me to use because I almost always use very bright colors!

I've used loads of dimensional foam tapes since I am anyway going to hand deliver this card! :-)

I am also entering this card for Julie's challenge on Yvonne's blog - something old and something new [the patterned paper is old, the buttons are new; the ribbons are old, the technique is new :-) ].

Ohh... and I just saw this lovely blog award that I got from dearest Spardha:

Thanks, girl! And things that make me different from others:

** I love to do things different from the usual... what everyone does is not something I am interested in usually!
** I love going out (for a stroll, for dinner, for movies, for brunch, for anything...) and according to my husband, it is best to take me out when I am unwell, because I am perfectly cured as soon as I step out!
** I love luxury items - jewelery, watches and perfumes are my weakness and I own loads of them all ;-)!
** I love my caffeine cups - both tea and coffee- with plenty of sugar :-) and I can have a whole pack of (sweet) biscuits with them at a time ;-)
** At the moment, I am not-so-eagerly awaiting my 30th birthday :-p {I normally start counting the days to my birthday when there are a few months to go}

I would like to pass on this award to:

Shalini
Juhi
Tejal
Savitri
Ujjwal

and to you too, Spardha!
Cheers,
Smita

Remember me??

2010-11-24T16:48:00.001+05:30

Heya people,

I hope you haven't forgotten me! I know I have been almost absent in blogspace for a bit too long! But this time I hope I am finally back! ;-) I had to craft today, a little because I wanted to, a little because I wanted you to think of me, an a little because I was in a very good mood for no particular reason. :-)

By the way, in case you are wondering about my new header... (psst: if you are not, please do! LOL! ) let me tell you who the artist is:

AARYAN!

The painting is an evening scene with a reddish sky... the tree like structures, in his words, are mushrooms/toadstools that are stooping in the wind. Hope you like it :-)
[description of the painting: courtesy the little artist himself]

This card isn't really a favorite but I don't dislike it either. Crafting after so long can be quite challenging! The card is inspired by Laura's sketch 66 at 2Sketches4You... I flipped it. I made quite a large card with unusual dimensions because I have some huge envelopes to match ;-)

The Patterned Paper and gorgeous lace are from a kit sent by Yvonne; the leaf mask in the background is an RAK from dear Spardha; the stamp is Hobby Ideas and the beautiful white flowers are actually a Chinese Collar Button set that I picked up locally (I found them cute and very useful ;-) )... the fleur de lis punch is a not-so-recent purchase (also local).

Hope you like it!

Hugs,

Smita

Here I am!

2010-11-11T10:07:00.001+05:30

Here I am back with a card and more after really really long. The Mojo's still not up and running as I want it to be though :-( Before getting down to my card, here's a little glimpse of 4 of the 15 cards my little Aaryan made for Diwali:

His drawing teacher taught him a fun background technique using crayons and he loved it so much that he made a card for each member of the family... he drew and colored the pictures himself :-) and he had a story attached to each picture (and a different picture for each card)! The second card from the left is what he gave me... he was trying to draw a kite.. the shape got distorted so he actually fixed it himself and told me that it was 2 kites stuck in a tree :-). I loved his explanation!!! And I loved every single card he made... He also wrote in each card himself (and he hasn't learnt the letters yet!! but he knew the basic shapes and wanted to write on his own... ) Proud of you, my darling Aaryan!

And here is my not so great card following the sketch at 2Sketches4You:

The stamp is Hobby Ideas and the PP is American Crafts. All other materials from stash...

ETA: I made it to top 5 at Get Sketchy for their Challenge #60 for this card! Thanks for letting me know, Juhi! I am soooooo happy and I didn't expect it :-)

Ciao,

Smita

Happy Diwali

2010-11-07T20:55:00.000+05:30

Wishing all my Indian friends a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous year ahead.

I've been quite tied up of late and am hoping to have at least one post next week; but I am not too sure. Aaryan's having vacations now and I have my hands full at the moment. I will come back soon to post some [around 12] cards that my little boy made 'on his own'. Proud of him :-)

Sorry I have not been blog hopping either... just too busy!! :-(

Ciao,

Smita

Burgundy...

2010-10-28T13:59:00.000+05:30

Th Play Date Cafe has a color splash challenge this week.... an amazing splash I must say:

My definition of amazing of course stems from the fact that I had something in Burgundy that I absolutely love ;-) and that I'd been waiting to use well :D.

I used Laura's sketch from 2Sketches4You:

Oh yes, I used a new ribbon ruffling technique once again!! You know I love them and I just can't have enough of these... Well, this is technique by Nami of DeNami designs and I know I am nowhere close to her; but hey, I can add my own twist to it, can't I? And what did I add? Some more colored staples :D I love them...

I made this card on order for friends... they want to send it to their daughter who lives elsewhere... and I am hoping they like it.

Till later...

Ciao,

Smita

Now I know...

2010-10-27T18:19:00.000+05:30

...that Diwali is here! :-) The home's clean and fresh again ;-) and there was a card in my mail:

This awesome awesome card is from dearie Spardha! I always love the red and gold combination - it is truly Indian! And I love her handwriting too :-) She also sent me some lovely RAK cut with her Silhouette. I'll reveal them as and when I use them ;-)

And here are 2 cards I made for someone on order. I don't like them too much but she wanted it this way :-(

The Flower Pot card is one I have tried many times; the same SCS tutorial always :-); and the other one is a simple fancy fold one. I used ceramic beads after eons I guess. I got those long back and still have a few left.

I've been lurking in my favorite blogs for the past few days. But since I browse on my phone, and the silly thing doesn't always let me post comments, pardon my anonymous presence! :D I don't think I'll be very regular till after Diwali. Let's see...

Keep crafting...

Ciao,
Smita

Uncomplicated...

2010-10-21T15:56:00.001+05:30

My entry for The Play Date Cafe Challenge 52. The inspiration is gorgeous... and they are celebrating their first anniversary. So hop over and play along.

I usually like bright colors and this palette was very very pleasing to my eyes. But it took me quite a while to come up with this simple card... Nothing seemed to match :-( But I kind of like the final outcome...

I am so happy that I figured in the 'Cream in our coffee' roll of The PDC :-) for the previous challenge.

This card will go in the mail to my best-est friend whose birthday is next week :-).

ETA: I forgot to mention this earlier... the patterned paper and the lace are from Yvonne. I won a candy at her blog a few weeks back and she sent me a beautiful scrapbooking kit :-)

Ciao,
Smita

{SMILES}

2010-10-19T11:37:00.001+05:30

I am honored to be the guest blogger at dear Yvonne's beautiful blog. Do check out her blog if you haven't before... you surely will fall in love with her work and her stories ;-) She creates the most amazing layouts ever and the most pleasing cards. And and and, as many of us already know, she is the sweetest person ever!

I also hope to see you join us in the challenge - use a new ribbon technique on your projects and no stamping!

See you there,

Hugs,
Smita

Now, that was tough!

2010-10-17T17:40:00.000+05:30

One look at the Play Date Cafe challenge # 51 colors and I knew it would be tough for me... but I wanted to try it anyway. This was what I came up with; with help from the sketch at Get Sketchy:

The colors are not the exact ones, I guess. But this was the best match I could find :-). I'm regretting not having ordered inks earlier... I realized today that I hardy have any :-(. But I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping to get some colors locally soon.

The ribbon is courtesy T! :-) I tried a new ribbon ruffling technique (again!)... I really love ribbons and lace. The corrugated sheets are also a recent purchase when I went to meet T! The patterned paper is an old one from Hobby Ideas and the flowers are Itsy Bitsy. Buttons and twine are from my dear mom :-). I tried creating a matching envelope too...

Hope you liked it,

Ciao,

Smita

Father and Son

2010-10-15T15:07:00.000+05:30

Here is something the father and son duo (ohh, I mean my hubby and my son) asked me to create for them. Well, actually, the husband asked first, and then the son had to have the same concept though slightly better :-D

Vineet's is a post-it note holder. He took away my gorgeous checkered post-it note pad and said he wouldn't "mind"if I made a case for him, so I obliged (after all, I have to keep the husband happy in the holiday season so he lets me shop ;-) )

I kept it very simple so that he could keep it at his work desk.

And my son wanted a "notebook"for drawing and writing. He has promised no to scribble :D But he was particular about the stickers and was really happy that I wrote his name on it (he can read his name):

He took the book from me as soon as I was done, clicked a photo with my phone and told me that I could use the photo... and immediately scribbled his name on the cover. I am not too sure he has written all letters... well, he can't really write "R" yet so I guess he skipped that...lol!

The PP is from Itsy Bitsy; the button from my stash; the stickers are local buys and the ribbon is from my Mom.

Met one of my blog buddies today. We had a really good time. Thanks for the time, girl :-)

Ciao,

Smita

Envelope Card: Purple again

2010-10-13T14:17:00.001+05:30

Another purple card from me:

This was made on request for Aaryan's drawing teacher. She specifically asked for this fold (I had used it in the Girly Album that I had made for her). She wanted this card for a friend and asked me to make it girly.

The back:

I've left the ribbons loosely tied because she will be collecting it from me now.. There is a blank space inside, which she will customize, and then retie the bow... I didn't want the ribbon to wrinkle by tying it too tight.

Ciao,
Smita

Purple again

2010-10-12T14:58:00.000+05:30

Here is a random card.... not following any sketch. I made it just like that to get my Mojo working ;-)

Card Patterns 85 and a handmade flower

2010-10-11T14:52:00.001+05:30

I loved the flower on this card that I made following the Card Patterns sketch:

This flower is called a 'box flower' due to the way the petals are arranged in the top most layer. I got the tutorial from here.

A close up of the gorgeous flower:

I am also submitting this for the Sherryann's challenge on Yvonnne's blog (make handmade flowers).

The background stamp is one I got from Hobby Ideas last year but was inked for the first time today :-)

Ciao,

Smita

2S4Y and something new

2010-10-08T14:16:00.001+05:30

A card I made for this week's challenge over at 2S4Y:

This card is totally made from scraps. And mostly handmade paper (to make it suitable for the occasion)...

The colors and the theme is inspired by my own challenge at my new blog (yeah, you read that right) ;-). Anyone who wants to celebrate festivals the Indian style, hop along to my Diwali Planner ;-). I am going to try and have a lo of fun while getting my home ready for Diwali this time (instead of being a nervous wreck like always!). Join me (even if you are getting ready for Christmas or any other festival) and let's get organized.

Ciao,

Smita

Nothing extraordinary...

2010-10-07T16:42:00.000+05:30

A simple card and drawer box:

I wasn't happy with this project from the word go... anyway...

The colors are inspired by The Play Date Cafe PDCC 50:

I am submitting this box project for the 3D project challenge by Julie Elak at Yvonne's blog.

I've not added sentiments to either yet... I'll add it based on the occasion.

Ciao,
Smita

Color-dicted!

2010-10-03T10:09:00.000+05:30

Happy World Card Making Day!!! ( a bit late to wish my Indian friends though... )

Okay, I am officially addicted to the beautiful colors at The Play Date Cafe this week and I ended up making not one but 3 cards :-) with these colors:

Aren't the colors just yummy? Well, I didn't think I'd like them till I started crafting...

DH loved them so I am a happy girl :-)

Originally, I made only this card... then I decided to use up the scraps for the next and then the third happened :-) I am also submitting this card for the sketch challenge at Inspired Crafters. The stamps are Hobby Ideas, the patterned paper is Itsy Bitsy, the textured handmade paper is from a local store... everything else from stash.

This one is totally scrappy ;-)

I'm almost too scared to use a totally white card base but I am in love with this one :-) The flower is handmade and then stuck on a leather flower base. The leaf stamp is Hobby Ideas and the sentiment is Stampin' Up.

Oh God, I almost sound narcissist in this post LOL! But the colors are truly inspiring and cheerful... Play along with PDCC and tell me if you don't fall in love with these :-)

Hugs,
Smita

Some break!!

2010-09-30T09:07:00.000+05:30

Ok, I know I said I'm going on a crafty break. But I just realized that there are some things you cannot impose on the mind. LOL. It refused to listen to me. I was trying my best to relax, watch a movie, read, cook and do something that isn't crafty; but well, as you can see, I am back. I did all of that but I also sat down to craft ;-) I'll have to postpone the break!!

Here is my take on this week's sketch at Card Patterns:

I am also submitting this for the inspiration challenge at Crafty JC taking nature as my inspiration.

Nothing much to write about actually. The flower (I love it) is made from a 1.5" wide grosgrain ribbon with a rolled up flower as the center; the charm is a local find; the paper rolls are inspired from somewhere on the internet (don't know where); the background stamp is my 'bee-hive' stamp; the ink is a very light green (sorry no fancy ink names to boast about); the sentiment is Stampin' Up!

That's a closer look at the flower.I loved the frayed edges and so did DH. :-)

And just before I leave, a look at my son's creative cupboard (I told you, he is my inspiration! :D):

He has more stickers on the inside too. Between us, we actually have all the stickers we see in our local markets :D And yeah, he sticks them all himself (he started collecting and sticking them when he was 1 year 2 months old or something.

Hugs,
Smita

Flashback Friday 3.0: First Challenge Card

2010-09-28T17:50:00.000+05:30

Flashback Friday 3.0 is about the first challenge card you ever made! Well, I'm too embarassed to even share this :D but here is my first challenge card:

And this is what the post read like:

"My creation for Nikki's challenge.

I have used locally available material for this card. The cardstock used is light green tinted with gold. The patterned paper seen in this card is handmade dark green paper with golden block prints. I made the flowers using Carl craft floral punch and a leaf punch by Jef. The flowers were cupped using a manual embossing tool. I bought the ribbon from a local lace store. The sentiment is hand written. I painted ordinary white buttons golden to match the rest of the card."

This was July 2008. LOL!!! I got one comment for this post... and that too from a family friend :D

Ciao,

Smita

PS: I'm on a self imposed craft break for a while. I'll get back to crafting sooner than I think though, I guess!

Get Sketchy # 57

2010-09-27T16:09:00.002+05:30

My take on this week's sketch at Get Sketchy:

This is another 75th birthday card requested by mom. The 3 double-loop layers on the edge look much prettier IRL. You'll need to take a closer look to see the floral print on the PP... it was impossible for me to photograph it.

Till later,

Smita
PS: I had to edit this card before sending it across. I added a large layered scalloped flower, leaves and some flourishes.

Where's the bling?

2010-09-24T16:29:00.001+05:30

I love color challenges because they do the main part of thinking for me - what colors coordinate. But up till now, I couldn't participate in most, because I never had the right colors (read Patterned Papers LOL)with me. Now that I do have some options, I'm trying to combine fabulous color challenges with my favorite sketches.

When I love bright and warm colors so much, why wouldn't I play along with ColourQ :-) I was floored by their colours :-)

And I combined these gorgeous colors with this week's Card Patterns sketch:

And this is what I came up with:

This is card my mom requested for. She wanted a 50th birthday card for a relative. We decided not to have bling so I restricted my bling usage to 3 dots in Shimmer Apricot (3D outliner). I loved how it has turned out. I am not too sure if she'll like it though... she is difficult to please ;-) The stamps are Inkadinkado, papers are Pebbles Inc.

Ciao,
Smita

Beautiful...

2010-09-23T15:48:00.001+05:30

Here is a card I loved making... and finally, Pa in law is also convinced I haven't lost my mind.. ;-)

The Patterned Paper is again a sheet from Itsy Bitsy (Pebbles Inc). I loved it so much I couldn't cut even a centimetre more ;-)

I am submitting this card for PDCC 48:

I have been ogling at The Play Date Cafe blog for some time now, and promising myself to play every week. This time, the colors were so yummy, that I decided to play without wasting any time. Though, now that I look at it again, my colors don't seem to be perfect, but still...

Though the challenge could mean grey or silver, do you think I would not use silver?!?! I love my bling and use it wherever I can. These metallic flowers are gorgeous and I wonder why I didn't get more.

I'm also submitting this card for Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge #96 (use metal in your creations). No inspiration drawn from the movie directly though :-( The little handbag charm and the flower centers are all metal.

Hope you like it.

PS: And ohhh... did you see the stapling pins at work again? I was going to use a different color because I forgot that regular silver pins exist :-p Such is my obsession with colored staples these days!! I just can't have enough of these :-)

Hugs,

Smita

My cleanest card: 2S4Y

2010-09-21T14:44:00.000+05:30

:-) Yes, this is , I think, the cleanest card I can manage ;-). My cards are never never CAS. It is based on the lovely sketch at my favorite sketch blog, 2 Sketches 4 You.

My father-in-law gave me a weird look after seeing this card, and asked, 'Is this all? or are you going to add something more to it?'... Ha ha... Guess they are used to my going over the top with embellishments LOL. I used a gorgeous technique I learnt recently from the WOJ tutorial blog. All these scraps of PP are from one single sheet though :-) And I loved how the card turned out. PLUS I made it in record time - just 30 minutes ;-).

The ice-cream cone clip is a current favorite with me ;-) Check out my Girly Album and you'll know how I am currently crazy after these clips and colored stapling pins.

The Patterned Paper set was a gift from Donna (it is Heidi Grace). Everything else is from my stash.

I hope the 3D effect is visible in the pic :-/

Hugs,
Smita

A Girly Album

2010-09-19T19:09:00.000+05:30

If you've been wondering why I am not posting, well,,, I am still around. I haven't had the time to breathe most of this last one week. But yes, over the past 2 weeks (yeah, that is a loooong long time) I did manage to complete a little album that someone had asked me to make. The pics are dull and not nice, let me warn you... We've had a particularly gloomy day today.

This is a 9-page album that the lady wants to gift to her 9 year old niece. And the little girl loves butterflies, I was told. (Tejal, I hope that explains all the butterflies you'll see fluttering by in this post ;-) ).

I have provided secret and non-secret panels for messages ;-). And I have used tons of ribbon (I can't live without using ribbons) and my latest favorites - colored stapling pins - have found their way everywhere.

This looks like a particularly busy section though these were the easiest pages. I had a spring fold card ready and I just attached it here (on the left panel).

Juhi's gorgeous doily found its way here... And all that glaze (not at all clear in the pic) was a glue and glossed section. The wowie patterned paper here is from Itsy Bitsy. And that cute cute cute ice-cream cone paper clip is from a local stationery store. ;-)

Please do tell me that the silver doodling around the glitter heart is nice. The lady I made this for is my son's drawing teacher and I don't want her to laugh at my flowers and swirls ;-) She loved the ribbon weaving on my previous album, so I included it here as well.

Do tell me what you think, and please pardon the pics.

Ciao,

Smita

A lovely blog award

2010-09-13T12:04:00.000+05:30

I received a loved blog award from Emily of Art♥from♥the♥Heart. I met her at her own blog a few months back and have been dropping by ever since. ;-) It was really sweet of her to pass on this award to me:

Now I need to pass this award on to SEVEN favorite blogs. A very tough task for me ;-) Pardon me if I can't list you here.... Each blog I visit is special to me. Anyway here are the 7 I would love to pass on this award to:

> Sankari
> Donna
> Juhi
> Tejal
> Spardha
> Shalini
> Sarita
> Yvonne

Hugs,
Smita

Move it move it...

2010-09-10T17:00:00.000+05:30

A 'card' that sure is close to my heart. My parents are having a housewarming puja for their new house tomorrow and I wanted to make a very very special card for them... I knew right from the beginning what that special something was. But since I had already had a few failed attempts with it in the past year, I was keeping my fingers crossed this time.

Isn't it cute? :-) I loved how it turned out (though I know I could do better with the embellishments). This is the main door and it can actually open and close, so I am submitting this project for the challenge at Quixotic Challenges - Move it, Move it. :-)

I did each window slightly different from the other. There are awnings on 2 windows because I know my parents used to love awnings :-)

Though she doesn't have too many, my mom used to have hundreds of pots in her garden when we lived in Kerala. (Please click to enlarge this image and then you'll know the buttons are flowers ;-) )

This is the back window of my little house. :-)

Hope you like it!!

Smita

Pretty pleased

2010-09-09T14:57:00.002+05:30

...that is what I am with this new card. Mom called me up early this morning asking for a card to send to an uncle of hers on his 75th birthday. All was ok except for the fact that she wanted it couriered today itself!! Well well well... a girl can't let her Mommy down, can she?? ;-) But I was quite a bundle of nerves and I thought I'd never start making it because I couldn't decide the paper or the color or anything for that matter.

Anyway, I will save the blah-blahing for some other time. Here's the card:

I so so love this patterned paper. It is called Patchwork and it is again from my newest stack. I have been so wanting to try popping a big flower. I know it sounds silly but I did want a PP with such large flowers and other elements that could be carved out and used separately :-) Hoping mom likes it too.

Ciao,
Smita

Some Odd Girl: Whoo-oo is i? Contest

2010-09-09T14:47:00.000+05:30

Some Odd Girl has a super cool contest to name a cute little monkey. You could win a super cool prize too...

2S4Y: Laura's sketch 60

2010-09-07T13:57:00.000+05:30

My take on the sketch at 2S4Y this week:

Again, nothing complicated. I have kept it really really simple because I wanted the flower to speak in this card. ;-) Don't you love it??? I am truly in love with shabby chic flowers and I love making my own flowers (don't have the patience for elaborate punch craft though).

The patterned paper is, of course, from my new stack - Linnie Bell (Party Time Girl series). I love all these double sided papers and it sure is difficult to choose the side... I used both sides of this particular sheet though ;-) For the flower, I used a shimmery sheet that dad got me months ago from Australia. And yeah, the staples... I'm loving these colored stapling pins that I bought recently. Wish I had got all colors though ;-)

Ciao,
Smita

Card Patterns 80

2010-09-06T11:53:00.001+05:30

My card for the latest Card Patterns sketch:

I kept it very simple.... can't get cleaner than this for me {wink}. I am not too much a fan of brown but I am slowly growing to like them on cards once in a while. I won this stamp by The Stamp Shoppe a few months back. Inked it for the first time for this card and I quite like the clean lines.

I have been dying to have a large scallop border die and till I lay my hands on one of those, I thought I'd make do with semi circles. Not neat enough but serves my purpose. This time I omitted my usual faux stitching with dots. I kind of like the effect :-).

Another card I want to share with you today is something I made a month back... wonder how I forgot to post it though.

Again very very simple but I like it. Embossed using border embossing folders on the top and bottom. I went over the embossing with my trusted 3D outliner [I hoard on this thing... I have it in every color I like :D]. The highlight of this card, though, is the flower. I stamped on fabric for the first time. Love how the flower turned out... a little out of place, but it is ok. ;-)

Hope you liked the cards.

Wait wait wait... I need help/tips again. I am finding myself getting addicted to albums. But can someone please help me with binding options. I have binder rings now but I'd like to know more too. If I use rings, how do I go about the binding? I have been trying to read up online but am more confused than ever.

Smita

PS: I also got a new set of papers from Itsy Bitsy finally!! Not sharing a pic, because most of you (my fellow Indian crafters) already have them :-). My brother in law came down from Bangalore on Saturday, and with him came my papers *chuckle chuckle*.

Something new

2010-09-03T17:59:00.001+05:30

*** This is my second post for today. Do scroll down to the next post and leave some love for my good friend, Sankari Wegman :-) ***

Something that I have been wanting to try for a while now is a full fledged book/album. I managed to create one finally... but as usual, managed to ruin it in the end! :-/ In fact, it almost got torn. Anyway, I was very happy with it till disaster struck, so I decided to share it anyway.

The bottom left page is the first page of the book. How do you think it has turned out? Any suggestion would be welcome.... especially ones on binding! {My favorite is the black, white and red one :-)}

I would like to thank a few people though... Tejal for the binding rings (girl, you are an angel!!!) AND Priya and Juhi for being such an inspiration :-) You guys are the original album pros :-)

Hugs,
Smita

Happy Birthday Sankari

2010-09-03T13:21:00.001+05:30

Today is a very special crafting friend's birthday. And we decided to give her a little birthday surprise by making and posting cards for her on our blogs... Sankari, sweetheart, you are the best :-) Happy birthday to you!!!

Sankari's style is almost inimitable.... her cards and all other projects are drop dead gorgeous. DH and I have been fans of her work for a long long time. She has also been one of my first blog buddies right from the days I started blogging :-) I do have a very special place in my heart for dear Sankari. Wish you a fantabulous year ahead, girl!

A little about my simple card:

I know she likes bright colors and a touch of Indian-ness never hurts ;-) I knew I wanted to make something in red for her but I am absolutely out of patterned paper. I wanted to use something Indian... so I used up some shimmery handmade paper and made the polka dots with household bleach. It now resembles bandhini or the 'tye and die' textile that India is so famous for. I made the pinwheel with a whee bit of coordinating patterned paper from scrap. The pretty pretty rose was a gift from Radha. The twine is again deep maroon and gold.

I hope you like the card, Sankari.

My card follows the Just Add Ink sketch.

Hugs,

Smita

Pink and brown

2010-08-30T11:51:00.001+05:30

I am back after a really really long break from crafting. As mentioned earlier, it wasn't really an intentional break. Sometimes family needs become priority over my own crafty itch ;-)

Today's card is mostly pink (with a touch of brown) LOL. It almost gave me a headache after I completed it because it ended up pinker than I wanted! Anyway, the card goes for 2 challenges:

1) Card Patterns sketch 79

2) CraftyJC Challenge #2 (1 Patterned paper; 2 colors (pink and brown); and 3 embellishments)

The patterned paper was an RAK from Tanja. The stamp is my own. The embellishments - stickers from local craft store, the flowers from Itsy Bitsy and the little flower charm from a local shop. (Now I am wondering if the 3 'same' flowers are counted as 1 embellishment or 3!!)

Hope you like it....

Ciao,

Smita

PS: I am now working on one of my own very challenging projects just because I want to... I hope to get it done soon and put it up ;-)

PWCO: Voting begins

2010-08-28T21:30:00.000+05:30

****** This is a sticky and will stay on top till the voting lines for the PWCO challenge are open (August 28th)... scroll down for newer posts ****

The voting lines are open.... Visit the page:

http://paperworksco.com/blog/?page_id=7615

to cast your votes.

I am listing out all the projects here... so you know what the Indie Stampers have done so far :-)

The first project was by Tejal...Sketch challenge..Here's the card..

The second project was by me.... It was a color inspiration channel. This was my backpack/3d project:

The 3rd project was an inspiration challenge. This LO was done by Spardha:

And finally, the card by our team lead... it was a technique challenge and Shalini created this gorgeous background paper used in this card:

Do vote for the Indie Stampers...

Hugs,
Smita

Blog absence

2010-08-25T19:46:00.000+05:30

Hey friends,

I've been MIA for so long that I had to write this post. I have been terribly busy and have not even had the time to sit in front of the computer. 2 of my sisters in law (Vineet's cousins) were visiting from Kolkata for Rakhi and we had a super fab time together. They were both teeny tiny girls when I got married and it is amazing to see how much they've grown and how much I can talk to them now! We shopped a lot over the weekend and even these last couple of days.... girls are so much fun to have around :)

I, of course, didn't get to craft even one bit. But I am hoping to be back soon. Tomorrow is another busy day with Aaryan having a dance show in school (I'm waiting to watch his program ... sigh... I love my little boy so much that I can't believe he is ready to perform infront of a crowd LOL)

A special apology is due to Jaya and also to Shalini and Rachana for the big delays in everything. I hope you understand!! :-(

Hugs,

Smita

Are you with us?!!

2010-08-17T12:25:00.001+05:30

Hello everyone,

Have you seen Tejal's gorgeous creation for the PaperWorks Ultimate Summer challenge yet? If not, hop on to her blog and ogle at the awesome-st shaped card! Here is a sneak-peak:

Tejal's take on the sketch was mind blowing! I loved her choice of colors and her coloring is, as always, very very neat!!

Well, anyone else would have been inspired to create something very pretty after seeing her card.... After Sunday's sketch, it was my turn to create... and I was paranoid ;-). Those who know me also know that this isn't anything new. I get nervous, jittery, and all that when I am under a pressure to perform. Ask Shalini, Tejal and Spardha and you will know what a nervous wreck I became :D LOL. Anyway, my challenge was a color inspiration:

Yes, pretty basic... but using all these colors together was kind of tricky for me. But one point in the rules list was pretty well highlighted in my mind - the project could be anything from a card, a scrapbook page, 3D project - hmm... interesting. And I knew I had only one image set in hand (kindly donated to us by Chi Chi Memories for this challenge); so within around half an hour of seeing the challenge, being inspired by my little boy's colorful shorts of the same colors, I decided to go cutesy (as I would with any animal themed card)... and I started hunting my documents for a tutorial I had copied down (literally handwritten) from a blog a couple of years back.. Of course, I couldn't find it... So I searched online again and this time wrote it in my 'technique book' ;-). This is what I came up with:

A backpack... it was quite a rage in 2008 I think and even I had made a few back then. I had a nice time thinking of the layers... since the challenge is basically an Animal Edition, I embossed the yellow and red cardstocks with the Birds and Swirls folder (it is supposed to be an open land with lot of trees... only I understood till now; I hope you can see my thoughts too LOL ;-) ). Of course, I covered the image with Glue and Gloss (Tejal, thank you for introducing me to this!!)... and I used a little 3D outliner (glitter) for bling... The backpack is complete with little straps at the back (and the sentiment - always by your side):

Do keep reading our blogs for the next 2 challenge updates too :-)... and yeah, vote for us when the "voting lines are open"... chuckle chuckle... :-) We'll keep you posted.

And, if you wish to make the backpack too... here is the link. The best part is that you can customize it as you wish and there are no scary tools involved.

Ciao,
Smita

Happy Independence Day!!

2010-08-15T21:55:00.002+05:30

A very happy Independence Day to all my fellow Indians. I wanted to make a card in honor of the country's Independence Day... and what could be better than a combination of 2 great challenges that truly inspired me to create:

1) The bonus sketch at India's very own Challenge blog - CraftyJC Challenge by Jaya.

2) Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge's movie of the week - Gandhi - and the challenge requirement to use a quote inspired by the movie

The card may not be gerat but I had fun making it. I made it last night but I was out all day and couldn't write about it... :-) Also, right after I saw the challenge on the Cinema Saturday blog (you are the best - Sankari and Brooke), I knew I wanted to combine it with Jaya's beautiful sketch. The colors of course came naturally.. what could be better than the colors of the Indian tricolor :-) [PLUS the Blue from the Asoka Chakra that my son insists I must have!] ... to top it all they were showing Gandhi on TV at the same time so I made it while watching the phenomenal movie :-)

Long live the Independence!!

PS: And yes, I used the perfect Paisley embossing folder on the saffron and green layers.... I always correlate paisley patterns to ethnic Indian designs so I had to use this!!

And thank you all for the tips both for the McGill punch and the block for clear stamps :-)

Smita

Flashback!!!

2010-08-14T12:45:00.001+05:30

Amy of Tsuruta Designs has a flashback Friday post and wants to see more of her readers showcasing their oldest work on their blog. Well, I thought it would be fun to do a flashback (scary) post too!

But I have 2 cards to share..

This first one is the card that actually made me take real good interest in making cards. This was my son's first birthday invite... I stayed up at night for almost 1.5 months to get these invites ready. No knowledge of card making, I had never visited any blog, nothing...

(Gosh, the picture!! :-/ Anyway, people did preserve it for a long long time... the kids were really happy to see the invite :D)

And this one is my first ever for my blog (and for a challenge too!! :-/ )

God! What was I thinking when I clicked this?!?! Anyway, for this card, I had learnt a little bit of miniature punch craft, bought a little lace and used something from my collection of decorative scissors.

And another one that is close to my heart... made this for Aaryan to give to DH. Aaryan was just over a year old then and used to kick a football quite well... DH is also extremely fond of sports...

[Sorry about the bad light].

On another note, 4 of us..Shalini, Tejal, Spardha and I are in a contest at Paperworks and Co. Blog. Our cards are going to be submitted from 15-18th. Each one will attempt one challenge. And then the voting will begin on 22nd -28th Aug. You will be able to vote for top 3 cards in each of the four challenges. And we will need your votes to win!

We will be posting details on when and how to vote, but please stand by us as we attempt something like this with the least amount of supplies.
Good luck all Indie Stampers!!

Hugs,
Smita

Card Patterns 76

2010-08-10T17:55:00.000+05:30

If you are looking for my 2S4Y card, please scroll down to the next post.

This card is based on the Card Patterns sketch this week. It is a lovely sketch with room for loads of layers. Of course I loved it… both the sketch and my card (ahem… ain’t I modest!?) Ok, I did smudge some ink on the edges of the vellum L

The background (over the beige CS) is printed vellum that I have embossed using the Textile Texture embossing folder. It looks better IRL than in the pic though. I have embossed the orange scallop layer also with the same folder…

The gorgeous stamp is Inkadinkado. I just love the ornate circular medallions and the everyday sentiments in this set.

Do you know, I am using my clear stamps without any acrylic/transparent blocks! :-( I am finding it very difficult to stamp... Can someone suggest replacements to a block (since I can't figure out where to look for a block around here)?

Till later,,,

Smita

Corrugated!!

2010-08-10T17:47:00.000+05:30

Ok, so this is another first from me… never used corrugated sheets before but here I am today.. in love with corrugated paper when everyone else must be already fed up J I bought my first few sheets yesterday [actually I had never even seen these sheets before!]

2s4Y Laura's sketch # 58

This card is based on the 2S4Y sketch by the talented Laura. I chose to keep my lines straight – that is, no rounding, no fancy corners. But yes, I did use the corrugated paper in abundance! ;-) Also the latest addiction – our local glossy accents (thank you for the tutorial, Tejal).

The lace, button and papers are all local buys. The sentiment is Inkadinkado. The photo corner sticker is also a local buy. The heart background is stamped using Chestnut ink by Color Box.

I love my Labels 1 dies and the Fiskars border punch (because it is so easy with even thin paper).

Hope you liked it.

Hugs,

Smita

A mini album

2010-08-06T12:24:00.000+05:30

Heya,

I tried my hands at a mini album yesterday. It was just a random thought that finally took shape. A cousin's wife is expecting their first child soon. And this kid is going to be the first in my paternal family so everybody is looking forward to the baby's arrival. :-)

The 'Bhatter' here is my maiden surname.

I have monogrammed the letters of 'Bhatter' on all the right hand side pages.

Added a few die cuts, some chipboard stickers and little embellishments here and there...

We don't know if it is a boy or a girl, so I have used all colors ;-

The rub ons are from Hobby Ideas.

I love my cuttlebug border embossing folders.

The cute stickers are a local find...

Thanks a ton to Juhi and Tejal for always replying to my SOS messages :-) I've used some glue n gloss inspired by Tejal (still waiting for her tutorial though) and my brother in law helped me with the ring and binding. :-)

Do tell me your opinion on my try... what can I change? (for the next one, that is)... and what are the binding options!!

Hugs,
Smita

2S4Y: Kazan's sketch 58

2010-08-06T11:52:00.001+05:30

My take on this week's sketch at 2S4Y:

Nothing much to write about actually... I am in love with my Labels 1 die ;-) [who isn't??]. Read my next post and you'll know! The embossing is one of my new Embossing folders; so is the border. It is a gorgeous Fiskars punch. I managed to punch out one tag using my McGills punch (grr.... wish I had got one more EK success or Fiskars punch instead!!). And the cute little flower pot is a wooden embellishment that I picked up locally.

Enjoy!

Hugs,
Smita

Envelope Card

2010-08-02T17:18:00.002+05:30

Yes, my second post for today. If you are looking for my card for the Card patterns sketch, go here.

I made this card last week. It is a 4 pocket card made using an envelope (No. 10 size) and I have 'again' hopelessly lost the link to the tutorial!! :-( But it is very easy and I really loved it.

The front of the card

The back (I kept it very simple because it was just a trial card)

The tags

And now I am off to find out the link... I can't believe I didn't save it :-(

PS: I just realised that Tejal made this a few days back. Tejal, do you have the link??

Yay! yay!! She did have the link... here it is, girls:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjzRGSevuuQ&feature=related

Thanks Tejal!

Hugs,

Smita

Card Patterns 75

2010-08-02T16:00:00.000+05:30

My take on this week's sketch over at Card Patterns:

Yes! I have used some of my new supplies :-) My younger brother was visiting our sister in the US. He got me this lovely MS punch, a stamp set and also the stuff I had ordered online [grinning from ear to ear!]..

The pretty lace is an RAk from Juhi and the stamp is Hobby Ideas.

Here is a pic of all that I got:

Mom sent over all my stuff just last night and I am already worried about the McGills Retro Word Tags punch. Can someone please tell me how to use it :-/ (the Cardstock thickness also). I have never seen any punch so huge :D

Please mail me if you know where I could be going wrong with the punch :-(

Hugs,
Smita

Yummy candy

2010-07-29T14:48:00.000+05:30

Some candy to win for followers of a new challenge blog- Let's Ink It Up:

and some more from AnnaBelle Stamps:

Go ahead... check it out!

Smita

2S4Y: Laura's sketch 57

2010-07-27T19:34:00.000+05:30

It has been a gorgeous day here today! And I am so glad it didn't pour :D... I am getting quite annoyed with the rains now... yeah, I know many of you look forward to it... but everything around here gets so messy that a day of sunshine is quite welcome :-)

Anyway, moving on to the card. This is my take on the gorgeous Laura's sketch at 2S4Y:

I made this card on request from a cousin's wife. This is a card for a guy.... ok, don't panic.... I think this works fine in our culture. Guys don't really mind a bit of bling sometimes... though I am not too sure DH would agree.

I am finally liking my MS double scallop punch (luckily!) because I have found many ways to use it ;-)... also my Labels 3 dies (which weren't quite my favorite even after I bought them)!! Gosh, why am I cribbing?! ;-)

Isn't that bow pretty? I loved this gingham ribbon, which was an RAK from Juhi. The bow turned out fine at my first attempt... pat on my back! ;-)

The stamp, I think I inked it for the first time, is from Hobby Ideas. I think this stamp looks lovely as a monochrome silhouette. The chocolate embossed paper behind it is from The Paper Company (I've had it for almost 2 years now!! My sister's husband, Chirag, got it when he came down for his own wedding LOL). The roses are from Bombay Store.

Thats from me for now...

PS: I did the inside of the card too... forgot to click pictures :-(

Ciao,

Smita

Two for Card Patterns Sketch 74

2010-07-26T17:33:00.000+05:30

Sorry I have been irregular at your blogs once again. Hardly been able to come online of late... Aaryan was attending a camp and I was busy ferrying him to and fro ;-) PLUS because of the disaster with my punches, my MOJO was not working LOL!

Today's cards are based on the Card Patterns sketch this week. I hadn't been able to take part in the last couple of weeks though the sketches were awesome!! :-(

The first card is made to order for my sister-in-law's friend. She wanted a bright and glittery card for a relative's 50th birthday.

By the way, the tile punch effect that you see on the rust panel is the one I broke! :-( This was the last work using the punch... {sigh....}. Apart from that, there is some embossing, loads of bling and some lace. And yeah, butterflies {so unusual of me to use them but the punch is sort of good, so I didn't mind using it}.

The next card is another one made for my sister-in-law. She had asked me to make a few general ones... Again based on the Card Patterns sketch.

The flower is layered (around 6 layers in all) and is from a pack of floral collage sheets I got from Vineet's friend a few days back. I think it looks cute. :-) Aah yes... butterflies again. This time stamped ;-)... The verse stamp is one of my own... I used an old school prayer for the text. :-)

The first ever Indian Challenge

2010-07-25T10:00:00.012+05:30

Hello people!!

Namaste.... Vanakkam... Kem che... Namaskaram... Sat sri akal....

The first ever Indian Challenge blog - CraftyJC Challenge is finally here! All of us, Indian crafters, have been eagerly waiting for this day :-) I think Jaya deserves a big applause for this wonderful challenge blog, which is a platform for many many crafters with limited resources to bring out their creativity!! Everyone is welcome....

And hold your breath for the supah surprise:

The prize is 5 digi downloads from the amazing collection at Di's Digi Downloads.

I am more than honored to be among the first Guest Designers of this new challenge. The first challenge Jaya has is a sketch challenge. Keep it simple or make it heavy, the choice is yours.

My take on the sketch:

My card has an acetate base. The first and last squares are patterned paper. The red square is stamped with my own stamp in white. Buttons and ribbon are from my stash.

The image is a digital download from Di's Digi Downloads - iPod Max. I think this image is just perfect for a little boy's card.

Go on... show your creative side without bothering about the supplies!! :-) Use what you have in hand in your creative best way!!!

Keep the faith!

Smita

A new service

2010-07-22T11:44:00.000+05:30

Heya,

I am glad I didn't post yesterday. You'd have never come back to my blog if I had... why?... because I was in the crappiest moods! I am good now though. But I need to get to business right away...

I am sure you all have craft tools that you love a lot... things you can't stay without. Right? I do too. Now, here is a new service offering from me....

.
.
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If you want to break any tool, I can do it for you... and that too without wasting much time and money!! Yeah, you got me right. Can you believe this? I broke 2 punches in just as many days?!?! With the right punches so hard to find here, I must be too good with this breaking business to actually break 2 of my dear punches! Out of that, one I had just bought last morning!!! I didn't use it on even one card (and it was a beautiful border punch) :-(

I am really upset with myself. My mom-in-law (God bless her) tried to sympathize with me yesterday and said may be the quality wasn't good... my mom wondered what I could have done to break a punch and then said I should buy the same things again to make me feel better. And I... I was in tears and I was angry not knowing what to do!!

Sorrowfully,

Smita

Mirror Image

2010-07-13T14:15:00.001+05:30

Hey all,

I am here with my take on this week's 2S4Y sketch... but I am sorry it turned out to be the mirror image instead :-( Almost everyone in my family (me included) is down with viral fever... and what worried me most was that I couldn't craft for 2 days in spite of all my pending work :-( I was feeling a little better today and I had to share this:

My parents-in-law are celebrating their anniversary today. They live with us now and my MIL is the most supportive mother-in-law I have come across ;-) She loves my cards and I had to stay up yesterday to create something for her.

Did you notice the doily in the background (yes, my fascination with embellished doilies continues!!) ?!? Well, I got it in a super duper package as RAK from Juhi yesterday. Thank you so much Juhi!! Appreciate your gesture.

The felt flowers are from Yvonne's tutorial here.

Well, I was lucky twice yesterday. Just before hitting the bed, Vineet (my DH) told me that he had something for me. I was surprised to see a pack of decoupage/collage sheets (I am not sure if I have named it right) kit. He doesn't usually go picking up craft material for me so it came as a pleasant surprise... but then I was in for a bigger surprise. One of V's colleagues had bought the kit on a trip abroad... they had had it for a while... and he thought he didn't know of anyone who could use the kit better than me! I was thrilled and literally jumping in joy that someone whom I didn't know could send me something like this! :-)

I hope I am back on my feet really soon. There is soooooooooooo much to do!! I don't want to miss out on anything crafty now ;-)

Hugs,

Smita

Booked!

2010-07-09T14:24:00.000+05:30

Hello everyone...

Finally a nice and bright afternoon with no rain ;-)... it is a good break to have a dry day in the midst of the monsoons. I'd been out shopping... yeah, lucky me!! since I am a SAHM I do get to shop in the afternoons LOL!

A couple of projects I worked on yesterday...

The first one is a card for the Color Throwndown # 100 (do check out the blog! they have loads of prizes up for grabs!). Well, the colors were a little bit of a challenge for me. But my son (for whom I made this card) loved it so I'm glad ;-).. I've been wanting to make a kids card for a while now... can you believe it - in spite of having a 3 year old son, I have not really made many kids cards!! Anyway, hoping that this is the start I need.

The 'Sweet' sticker was a RAK from Tanjaa. All other stickers are local buys. The flowers on the left corners are pink (they don't look pink in the pic, I know).

My other creation is inspired by Juhi . I love love love her albums, maze books, tags... in short all her work! She shared a link for this creation with me... Thank you soooooooooo much Juhi!! And I love how it has turned out:

A handwritten message and a placeholder for a photo.

I loved the green paper pleated flower though disaster did strike it once ;-)

A lovely sticker with a pullout tag... perfect for a friend's secret :-p

I loved all the distressing and how it has turned out overall. I'll be giving this to my sister-in-law who has a loooong list of friends (and she is still in college) and I guess she'll use it well :-))

Ciao,

Smita

Rakhi

2010-07-08T12:57:00.000+05:30

Here is a card I made yesterday:

"BHAIYA" is Hindi for Brother. And as the card obviously says, this is a card for a brother... 'No way! so much bling on a masculine card..' - is this on your mind now? Well then, welcome to India. :-) Rakshabandhan (read more here) is an Indian festival of sisters and brothers. On this day, the sister ties a Rakhi (picture below) on the brother's wrist and the brother in turn vows to take care of her and protect her forever... of course, he also gives gifts in return ( ;-) ). They feed each other sweets.

Rakhi

This picture is only for representational purpose only

Rakshabandhan is a sweet and sacred festival and celebrated almost all across the country. Rakhis can be simple or very ornate but they almost always have a touch of bling. In our communtiy, the sister also ties a rakhi to her brother's wife (it dangles from our bangles/bracelets and looks really really pretty).

A Rakhi pair for the sister-in-law and brother

This picture is only for representational purpose only

My husbands sisters have already sent us our Rakhis for this year, though there is still some time to go before the festival, since they stay in another city. I guess the postal department is usually flooded with envelopes marked 'Rakhi' around that time.

I don't know what else to write about this lovely day... you got to see the beautifully decked up sisters and their doting brothers to know what I mean :-)

Anyway, you will probably see more Rakhi cards from me this month since I have to make quite a few. :-)

Hope you enjoyed this post.

Hugs,
Smita