And finally...!

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

Comeback...ummm well, trying to!

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

Cased

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

Make a wish and live your bliss!

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

Mad 'Bout U

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

PDCC63 and MOJO Monday 172

*** 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

Sticker frenzy...

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

Card Patterns 80

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*.

Card Patterns 76

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!!

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

2S4Y: Laura's sketch 57

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

2S4Y: Kazan's sketch 56

It is me again! :-) I decided to do 2 posts at the same time. LOL...

My take on the 2S4Y sketch:

I kept this one simple too.. no lace, no ribbon, no buttons and no bling :) !! The PP and rub-on are again from Hobby Ideas [I love this little boy!] and the rubber stamps are my own creations. The border punch is from Jef and I found it at a local store (my 'happiest ' purchase in recent times!!)..

Ciao,

Smita

Card Patterns 69: You are my charming sunshine!

My take on this week's Card Patterns sketch:

I am in love with this card (yes, I am throwing modesty out of the window today!!). I loved the colors and every little detail... the stamped polka dots, the embossing, the teeny weeny pink squares that I cut and layered on the last circle, the embossed and cut vellum, the acetate, the hand cut swirls, the dimension... i love it all. And it took me a good 2+ hours to make it ;-)

The colors are inspired from an online site where I got this interesting color palette. And the whole card is inspired by the simply stunning 'embellished paper doilies' here. My only regret was that I didn't have a paper doily and I am not sure where I'll get them here... they are used in restaurants so I guess they should be there somewhere!

The Sunshine sticker was a gift from Tanja, the rhinestones from Radha, and the epoxy sticker & chipboard embellishment from Donna.

I love the fact that I have not used  single bit of patterned paper in this card ;-)

Till later...

Smita

Bright and cheery

Hello all,

My posts are going to be a bit random for the next few week or so. Vacation's getting over now and there is a lot happening before school reopens. I hardly have the time to craft.

I loved this week's Card Patterns Sketch# 66. It really did have lot of scope for layers and embellishments. Though I couldn't do complete justice to the sketch, here is my take on it:

It did take a little effort but I kind of like it. I think I'm using these colors for the first time and I like the bright n cheery feel.

My recipe:

CS: Base black CS is Fabriano, the golden yellow is a sheet of handmade n textured paper, the DP is an RAK from Tanja.

Stamps and others: Tim Holtz mini masks sponged with orange and yellow inks [Hobby Ideas], the stamp is also Hobby Ideas

Embellishments: The 'believe' and printed dome stickers are Heidi Grace (from Donna), all lace from my stash [thanks Mamma], flowers are also from my stash [I hate the quality though :-(]

PLUS a lot of faux stitching and a little embroidery floss for finishing the card. :-)

Ciao later...

Hugs,
Smita

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

Two cards

This one is a sample card I made for a friend who wanted some birth announcement cards. I will need to make loads of changes to this one depending on her requirements so I thought it safe enough to post here.

Kind of bored of seeing yellow on my cards now... I just promised myself something different tomorrow...!

And this next is just an attempted ode to Tim Holtz... he he he... You know, when I started blogging and paper crafting, I couldn't understand anybody's love for distressing or for vintage images in the cards. In fact, I hated distressing... I did like those coffee-stained/aged papers though. Anyway, things have changed a great deal since then. I am now a great Tim Holtz fan... ordered a few masks and a distress ink. This card isn't a card per se... just a folded card stock on which I have tried masking and using distress ink ;-)...

I am back!!!

I am back finally!! No... not without any card yet again... but with my first 2 cards (that are being posted here) of the year!! That took long, huh? ;-) Personal issues as I mentioned in a previous post.

Here are my cards based loosely on the 2S4U sketch for this week by the wonderful Laura! How I have missed being part of these challenges. But when the mojo doesn't work, it just doesn't... ! I have been blog hopping for a while though; checking out what my blog friends and idols are doing.

Anyway, here's my take on the sketch:

This is for someone's 50th birthday (can't mention who yet!). Someone special to us and our family. I was crafting after so very long that I did make quite a few mistakes here, but I loved the card  whatsoever! The glitter brackets (what else can I call those gold things!?) were handcut. I traced them using gold acrylic paint from a Faber Castell stencil and then cut them out. Love the stencil!! Sentiment is using dry letter transfers. And the pearls are Itsy Bitsy. Background patterned paper from Hobby Ideas.

The second card was another 'just-like-that' card, which I converted into a best wishes card.

Nothing much to write about. A stamp used in the background from Hobby Ideas. Patterned paper and 3D Epoxy sentiment from Heidi Grace (thank you Donna!), 3D sticker from Hobby Ideas. Lots of  layers and I love it!!

Hugs,
Smita

For my darling son!!

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

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

(the incomplete card)

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

The complete card

The candy cane (i loved it)

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

Cheers,

Smita

Pretty in pink

Hello,
Every week, I think of creating a card based on the 2S4U sketch first thing on Tuesday morning (the sketch is up by Monday night my time), but procrastination gets the better of me, and I end up creating the card earliest by Friday!! ;-)
This time, I broke my record, and created the 2S4U challenge card today!! :-)) Yay yay yay!!! I am pretty pleased with the result. I love the patterned paper I have used in today's card. I also bought a new stamp set today...hmm..not exactly a set, but yeah, all the stamps came in one box! I had seen the set earlier, but didn't buy it... don't know why. Anyway, it had been on my mind ever since...

My card recipe:
Cardstock: Metallic CS from the DCWV metallic sheets stack, patterned paper from Hobby Ideas, plain CS in pink, deep pink and chocolate brown
Stamps: Cake and Candle stamps from Hobby Ideas
Others: Pink sheer organza ribbon and pink satin thread from stash, locally available dry letter transfer (rub-ons), eyelets

PS: I also used Lulu's tutorial!! (yes, I know, doesn't look like it!)...LOL!!

Love,

Smita.