Celebrate Today

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

Now, that was tough!

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

Card Patterns 85 and a handmade flower

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

Color-dicted!

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!!

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

2S4Y: Laura's sketch 60

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

Pink and brown

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 ;-)

Booked!

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

Patterned paper

Heya people,

A simple yet adorable card I made for Amy's challenge on Yvonne's blog (uh oh... did I just complicate it??! Sorry, unfortunate and sad news in the family is not letting me think clear)...

It has been pouring all day so this is the brightest pic I could get.. The challenge requirement was to use 3 different PP... I guess I have used more than that. And I have just followed my heart and done what I like best... loads of layers, handmade flowers and for the first time a handmade tree ;-)

The punch used at the bottom of the chocolate card stock is a local find! [I couldn't believe my eyes that it could actually punch very well!!]

Ciao,
Smita

PS: I can't believe there is not a touch of glitter on my card!! 

Card Patterns sketch 67

Hi all,

My take on Card Patterns Sketch 67:

CS: Base CS is Fabriano; everything else is from my stash;

DP: The pretty patterned paper is an RAK from Tanja.

Others: Stamp is from Hobby Ideas; ribbon and lace from my stash... some faux stitching using my white gel pen and the branch (yeah, it is a branch..LOL) is hand drawn and cut.

It turned out just the way I intended it to so I won't be cribbing this time around ;-). I am in love with all things pleated at the moment, which explains the pleated flowers and ribbon. And I am a lot wiser now so I am stitching up my ribbon treatments before adhering them [because the quality of double-sided tape that we get around here is kind of hopeless!].

Usually I save the sketch on my phone or draw it out in my notebook before starting on the card; this time I tried to test my memory.. I was kind of sure I remembered the sketch wrong... but yoooohooo!! I wasn't wrong!!

One more for 2S4Y

Yes, one more card for the super duper sketch at 2S4Y. I couldn't help it... And I might do yet another one soon if the mojo's still working... ;-) I loved this sketch. 

A rather simple card but it works for me... I liked it. The paper pleated flower in the center was a nice find for me and I surely will do more of these. I also added some small ribbon flowers to the embossed scalloped circles. 

Hope you liked it...

Ciao,

Smita

Card Patterns 64

My take on this week's Card Patterns sketch # 64:

I tried the fan fold flower for the first time... easy but took some practice.

Ribbon, lace and button are from my stash... I've used 3D outliner for the bling effect.

Bejeweled

Bejeweled - well that's what my card is today! ;-) I started with a little bling... and then went on and on and on... till my card began to resemble a jewelery box LOL!! But I don't mind it one bit... I loved the card though the pics may not do justice to it yet again!

Disclaimer: If you don't like bling, stop rightaway and get on with your work (or you'll be down with a headache! ;-) )

The card is inspired by the awesome sketch at 2S4Y (Laura, you and the DT rock this week too)... It is my favorite sketch blog and I am happy to be able to take part this time... 

I am also submitting my card for the Cinema Saturday Creative challenge (gosh! I miss it almost every week...) - use silver in your creations.

A little about my card:

CS: Both red and black are from Fabriano. I embossed the black one.

Others: Silver metallic CS; embossed and inked vellum

Embellishments: Lace (thanks Mamma) and rhinestone are from stash... all other forms of glitter are using my favorite 3D outliners; flowers are handmade [ my take on 5 petal dimensional flowers]; the swirls are hand drawn and the sentiment is from Stampin' Up.

I randomly stuck rhinestones for that 'chicken pox- like' effect :D...

Hope you liked my card. I'd love to read your comments and suggestions :-)

Hugs,

Smita

Simply red

Hi all,

This is going to be a short post. Here is my card for this week's 2S4Y sketch by the gorgeous Kazan. I have kept my card very simple. It is part of a set of cards a friend of mine asked me to make. He wants the cards without any sentiment so that he can use them generally. 

Yeah very simple... but I loved it. The flower is a kind of paper bow that I made with strips of thin red cardstock. And yes, I am now finally enjoying my MS border punch... I really had a tough time getting it to work right though :D. Thanks to Donna and Linda for all the help!

Ah yes...! and I scribbled on the edges and on the petals with my Signo gel pen ;-)

Ciao for now,

Smita

Vintage beauty

Here's my half-take on this weeks Mojo sketch.... Why half? Well, as I've mentioned many a time, I find their sketches to be really full of details - much more than I can fill in ;-) So here it is...

I have to tell you that though not visible properly in the photo, this one's an elegant card.. and I'm in love with it. [Where's modesty gone off to..!?]...

The gorgeous background paper is handmade paper in a beautiful teal color. The tiny embossed off-white squares (I had been dying to try some paper quilts after seeing them on Tracy's blog) are from a sheet from my stash; the glittering teal squares are from a sheet dad got me; the flowers are done with these 2 sheets too. The maroon one is ofcourse a silly ribbon flower (I'm no good at these; that is why I call it silly!)... The leafy is hand cut, inspired by Sarita's louts flower tutorial. The to-die-for lace is from Mom... she got it from my great-grandmom..;-) so it is really vintage :-D I sponged the cardstock a bit to match the vintage feel of the lace.

I hope you liked it as much as I did. {I didn't want any touch of white in the base. I'm tired of my white base cards.. LOL!

Ciao,

Smita

Sizzling Blue ...!

Here I am back again with the Mojo sketch card; and this time I did remember to make it square unlike the earlier one!!! ;-) As I mentioned earlier, my cards reflect my mood and what techniques I am waiting to try. Today it is a fun card with some elegance... I tried the awesome 'Shaker' card from the Whiff of Joy Tutorial blog. Love their tutorials though I don't own any of the gorgeous Whiff of Joy stamps.

I am submitting this card for:
> The Cuttlebug Spot - Favorite flowers (these layered beauties sure are my favorites!)
> Papertake Weekly - Do something different (never tried a shaker card like this before)
> Cute card Thursday - Make your own
> Our Creative Corner - Blooming blossoms
> Tanja's challenge of making the shaker 

Isn't it a beauty? :-) I loved it!!! But if I reveal what makes the shaker, I'm not sure if you will believe me.... ;-)  Well, the original tutorial asked for a cardboard ring 6mm high. I, of course, didn't have any such ring. I asked Tanja what to replace it with... she suggested 3D tapes. Now Smita was too lazy to neatly cut foam tape so she came up with another idea... 

I have loads of unused bangles with me... I layered 3 light metal bangles to create the height and dimension. Then I carried on with the tutorial ;-)...  I loved the card!! AND I loved my shimmering blue flower too... Nothing much to write about that - just layered scalloped circles secured with a brad and decorated in the center with a circle sticker and loads of 3D outliner! :-) 

The lace is from mom's stash!! And she has the most amazing collection ever!!

Hope you enjoyed my post...

Ciao,

Smita

Shimmering beauty ;-)

Well, 'shimmering beauty' is what I was trying to make my card... beauty or not, it is your say, but it sure is shimmering (more in reality than in the pic). It is always a big challenge for me to follow the Mojo Monday sketch. I find it too full of little bits and pieces for me to follow... 

My cards are usually neither CAS nor embellishment-heavy; hmm... somewhere in between. They always depend on my mood and supplies PLUS on what technique I want to try (yes, I am a very technique-loving girl, if there is such a word). I had started this self challenge of trying new techniques in the beginning of last year (I had not yet discovered my fellow Indian card makers till then and lack of crafting supplies was a big heartbreak back then!) ... I love trying anything new I see, though they might not always be successful attempts. So, here I am with a few new things...

This card follows the Mojo Monday challenge. I chose the Square (well, just realized it isn't square... :-( ). But I put in so much effort into this card that I am submitting it anyway. 

> The image is again from Birds' cards. I colored it using my Derwent pencils and blended with Camlin distilled turpentine; 

> The pretty lace on top and in the very bottom are from mom's stash; 

>I bought the glittering purple ribbon a few days back from the local market;

> The printed glossy vellum (circle behind the image) was gifted to me by Chirag, my brother-in-law

> The patterned scallop circle is Heidi Grace (thanks Donna!!)

> The pink shaded paper (layer 1) is from Hobby Ideas

I made the flower myself using 2 sizes of heart punches and a clover (yes!) punch [ Kathy has a beautiful tutorial for the heart punch flowers - I am nowhere close of course! Too lazy to punch or cut smaller/bigger hearts] and loads of 3D outliner in the center; so I do qualify for Cute Card Thursday's challenge (make your own)!!! :-) The leaves are punched using a Carl craft punch. The swirls are hand drawn (sorry, I can't do better than that! ;-) ); the scalloped edge was done using a decorative scissor.

The inside of the card:

Don't remember where the sentiment is from. I'll update it as soon as I can recollect.

PS: Ahhh yes! i can't believe this is my second post today ;-)

:-)

This is my cutest card for now ;-) Been dying to use this color combination for a while but I never seemed to have the right supplies.

I am submitting it for:
> 2S4Y : love their sketch (when do I not!?)

> The Cuttlebug Spot challenge ("Bling"... though I am capable of much more bling ;-) )
> Cute Card Thursday: Touchy feely

The patterned paper is from Hobby Ideas; the pink oval behind the stamped image is a glitter paper my dad got for me from Australia (not visible perhaps but it has a nice shimmer); all other papers are from stash. Ahhh, yes, I have finally managed to emboss and ink Vellum... can you seeing it peeping behind the light pink rectangle?? :-) That's thanks to Beth Norman (love her tutorials!).

The image is again Meljen's digital stamp; the sentiment is Stampin' Up; the flowers and lace are from stash. I've also used some gel pens and 3D outliners for added bling and dimension.

Hope you enjoyed my little post...

Cheers,
Smita

Glittering silver...

Here is another card for me... unfortunately it isn't following any sketch so it is kind of weirdly consolidated. I had to try this flower, which I saw on the Just Add Ink blog. My flower doesn't look even a percent as cool; but anyway... guess practice will make it perfect ;-). The gorgeous papers are from a recent shopping spree with mom (both her choice!! Mamma, you rock!!). I have them in the form of rolls (quite bugging) but I finally managed to cut them out neat enough... :-)

Kept this clean and simple to let the papers and flower speak.

A look at the flower (sorry about the glare...)... Wish I had some grosgrain! But I guess I will need to make do with satin till then....

I'm submitting this card for:

> Just Add Ink challenge # 11 - Anything goes

> The Pink Elephant challenge # 61 - nature

And just signing off with a pic of my little boy dressed as a farmer for rhyme day at school:

Isn't he a darling!! :-) He made me draw and cut out those farm animals... and was very proud of his Mom :D

Till later,

Smita

Happy Holi!! Holi hai!!

Holi, the Indian festival of colors and spring is here! Kids all around are at their naughtiest best spraying water (and color) on each other and on those nearby. It is the time when we celebrate the triumph of good over bad once again. Read more about the festival here. It is also the time of some festive delicacies - the thandai (a milk-shake like preparation with almonds, saffron, pepper, rose petals and other exotic ingredients).

Here is wishing all my fellow Indian card makers a very Happy Holi.

Enjoy with your loved ones.

Hugs and cheers,
Smita.