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

Toasted and Not-my -Style Thank Yous :)

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

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

Just Because...

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

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!

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