Wonderfully Special

Fresh from the oven!

I rarely ('never' seems to be a more accurate word of choice) scrapbook a layout and blog about it on the same day! While my engine is still running, better get it done! Plus, I need to get 2 items on my resolution off before the end of July (4 blog posts and 2 12x12 layouts/month, checked!)!

So here we are, a layout that I've just created 15 minutes ago~

Scrapbooking in blank background is very fun, because I like the contrast of a busy content and clean background. Plus, our eyes will easily focus on the photos and stories. ^.^

I used different letter stickers for the title, my teddy's name is in red foam letter stickers, and the word policebear is from Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants. The phrase 'you are wonderfully special to me' is by Simon Says Stamp and I stamped it with Hero Arts mid tone Shadow Ink, Cup o' Joe on a pink cardstock. Took me probably a dozen time to get a not-all-smudgie look. I really need to practice on my stamping..

I wanted to use the long envelope as part of my design, so I started adding patterned papers on top and at the back of it, tucked the title and phrase at the top and a strip of washi tape and patterned paper at the bottom. Also added my photo and memorabilia with a tag tucked behind them, and a round metal paper clip at the middle. I added a frame on top of my photo and used 2 fabric stickers as embellishment.

The memorabilia can be opened and I only added a 'Delightful' sticker on it. So so cute~

Finally, at the top left corner of the layout, I added a strip of washi, some patterned papers, a fabric border sticker, and little embellishments.

And the end results:

♥ ♥ ♥

Ain't it lovely~? Probably my favorite layout of the month! Cute and simple and colorful.

Supplies (Papers)

• White Cardstock by American Crafts (July SC Scrapbook Kit)
• {Hello Love} by Studio Calico (July SC Scrapbook Kit)
• Nostalgia 6x6 Paper Pad by Jen Allyson from My Mind's Eye
• Pink and Baby Blue Cardstocks

Supplies (Embellishments)

• Photo Frame Die Cut Shape from Basic Grey (July SC Scrapbook Kit)
• Freckled Fawn Orange Polka Dot with Heart Washi Tape
• Simple Stories Sn@p! Icon Stickers
• Amy Tangerine Noteworthy Accents and Phrase Stickers
• Studio Calico Chipboard Shapes Stickers
• American Crafts Soda Pop Fabric Stickers
• Heidi Grace Designs Daydream and Border Fabric Stickers 
• Round metal paper clip (July SC Scrapbook Kit)

Supplies (Others)

• American Crafts Knock Outs Border Punch
• Dimensional Pop Dots

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Craft Shopping!!

Caution: Loooong post

I don't shop for clothes much, but I LOVE shopping for new craft supplies!! I usually get my craft supplies from online stores in the US, because the local scrapbook stores around my area, they marked up the price so high I think I can buy more items if I get them straight from the US online stores. Not that I blame them, I know it's expensive to import all the pretty papers and embellishments here, and they have to pay for the rental etc., but I just can't accept the price, especially since I sorta know what's the usual price in US Dollar. However, recently the bookstore nearest to my house started carrying scrapbook embellishments, by AMERICAN CRAFTS!!!! When I first found out, I swear I almost fainted on the spot hahaha!

I ♥ the AT puffy stickers so much I need to get three of it. Need to.

I went to the bookstore three times this month, and every time I came back with different embellishments!! Of course, it does mean that my savings this month will be lesser.. *booo* 

Then, I started scrapbooking, which I really think I shouldn't, because I have talked myself into signing up a monthly scrapbook kit by Studio Calico. >.< Oh the excitement when I open the nicely packaged scrapbook kit every month, priceless!

And the point of this post? Actually I made a 12 x 12 layout about my craft shopping obsession, thought you would like to know some of the stories behind. Hopefully I didn't bore anyone to death. So back to the topic, a look at the layout I made.

*Craft Shopping*, Yes Please

Green is definitely not my color, but I just have too many greens in my stash and decided to use them all (or most of them) on a single layout. And honestly, I think the overall looks good. Probably just the Ikea effect. The base is Surf by American Crafts, and the 6 x 6 on the left is Optimism by Studio Calico, both are from the Studio Calico June Scrapbook Main Kit. The 6 x 6 on the right is Down the Boardwalk, Gone Surfin', by We R Memory Keepers. I tucked a strip of embossed cardstock of the same color but different tone at the top and the bottom of the 6 x 6 papers.

Annual Craft Shopping!

One of the photos is instax and another is printed in square. Both are the craft supplies I bought, one earlier this year, and another on last year. I topped the photos with a frame and added a cute chipboard banner at the corner .  

Random Thoughts - My Irrational Crafting Fear

Do something today to make the world more beautiful

*Craft Shopping* Yes Please~

Create Everyday

Short Journaling

As usual, took me hours to finish the layout. And took me hours to blog about it too. This is exhausting~ And I need to get another layout done before calling it a day, oh my..

Supplies (Letters)

• American Crafts Chelsea Letter Stickers
• Amy Tangerine Thickers
• Kaiser Craft Raspberry Tiny Alpha Stickers

Supplies (Embellishments)

• Amy Tangerine Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Noteworthy Accent & Phrase Sticker Book, Sure Thing Dimensional Stickers and Doodle Dimensional Stickers
• Heidi Grace Designs Tweet Memories Layered Chipboard Stickers
• Pebbles Chips Varnish Chipboard
• Simple Stories Sn@p! Icons Stickers
• SRM Life is Good Sticker Sentiments

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Japan ATCs

Hello everyone! Just a quick post to show the ATCs that I've done for one of the swaps in Swap Bot, Japan themed ATC. Swapping has been slow for me, as I have too many side activities (craft, nap, read, Japanese etc.), so I only join those with topics that interests me. 

My swap partner has received the ATC I made and rated me with a lovely comment, so very happy about that =) Even though the canvas for an ATC is small compared to a 12 x 12 layout, but both seems difficult to me. On one side, I have to squeeze everything on a 2.5 x 3.5, on the other hand I need to try to decorate the whole 12 x 12, very different challenges. Well, I guess I'm still a newbie in the whole crafty thing, let's just hope it gets better with time.

The Japan themed ATCs (swap requires only one but I made two, will be using the other one on my Japan trip LO soon) are made from my ever growing pile of scrap papers, with some inking on all the edges, and a girl in Kimono clear stamp by Hero Arts. The letter stickers are from October Afternoon and the geotag chipboard is by Studio Calico. 

♥ I sent the 'Girl in Kimono' for my swap partner, and kept the 'Japan' for myself. ♥

The images are stamped on a tone-on-tone flower patterned paper, because I wanted the kimonos to have some flower patterns on it, however, I totally forgot about the face of the kawaii girl LOL! Hopefully my swap partner didn't and won't realize the stupid mistake. Other than that, I cheated on the stamping too. I have a hard time stamping a crisp clear images, especially with the hair of the girl. So... I used a pencil to shade it.. *guilty* Let's hope my swap partner won't find out about that too. Lastly, I used some red and orange colored pens to decorate the kimonos. Voila! 可愛いですよね~

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Bucket List #60

Fire a gun, that is.

Opportunity arose and I took it. One of my BIL studied in 'military school' and they had an open day for all their ex-students to visit the campus and have a few rounds with the M-16. The best part? Families and friends are welcomed! Usually I'll just stay at home on a Sunday morning and daydream, but I really wanted to cross out another item on the list, so I took the chance. I did have a 'Oh God why~' moment because I suck at socializing, really. Can't hold a conversion for more than 2 minutes. *facepalm*

I remembered I kinda freak out at the last minute, right before the soldier on duty passed me the M-16. Actually my BIL briefed me before my turn so I know what to do. 2 rules: pull the trigger and DON'T AIM AT PEOPLE. Yeah, my BIL kept on reminding me about that second rule. 

Fired 20 rounds in total and only hit the target ONCE. I tried to aim, I swear, but my BIL told me the gun we were using, the 'aim thing' was askew, not my fault then~ 

After 20 rounds and having the gun powder smell stuck in my nose, I declare, Mission Accomplished! \(`.`)/

Well I hope the soldier on duty didn't laugh behind my back for my entirely inappropriate attire and probably the worst aim he's ever seen.

Bucket List #60 DONE!

Side Note: About the riding an elephant and camel items on my list, I will review it again as I've read news about how they torture the animals for tourists ride.

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