Journey

Happy October folks! Can someone tell me where has September gone to? I don't quite remember living through that month.. 

Okay, back to scrappy goodness.

I did a few layouts in the last couple of weeks thanks to the Art+Science Scrapbook Workshop by Big Picture Classes. Loving every bit of the challenges and it was fun, trying to stretch myself a little bit out of my comfort zone on every challenge. I think I'm a bit addicted to online craft workshops/classes, because there are a few more lined up waiting to be picked. I don't want to spend so much on online craft classes, so I will only choose ONE. Sigh.. 

HOWEVER, after all the grandma's story, I wish to tell you that this layout has nothing to do with any craft classes. I came up with the idea on my own, and I'm sorry I babbled so much. Now, some photos of the awesome layout I made.

Super {heart} the background paper!

Fuzzy cutting the chevron was a bit pain in the *someplace*, but it was worth it, loving the final look

not all who wonder are lost

This is a layout about all of my recent adventures, a summary on where I've been to. I put 6 months as the duration on the layout, but I just realized actually these trips happened within a 8 month period. Too late to change that now, so I'll just let it be. I love to travel and wish to see every beautiful corner of the world, and I'm grateful I've been to so many places in the last few months. My greatest travel adventure would be backpacking around Europe someday. =)

Supplies (Patterned Papers)

• Jet Set, Urban Traveler by Simpler Stories
• Away We Go by My Mind's Eye
• XSC-050 by Basic Grey for Studio Calico

Supplies (Letters)

• Rub On Alphas by Heidi Grace
• Urban Traveler Chipboard Stickers by Simple Stories
• Swagger & Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
• Honey Sticky Keys by October Afternoon
• Kut Kraft Alphabeans by Jilibean Soup

Supplies (Embellies)

• Doodle Dimensional Stickers by Amy Tangerine
• Enjoy the Ride Sticker Accents by Echo Park
• Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp
• Boarding Pass Chip 'n Stick by October Afternoon
• Geotag Chipboard Shapes &Gold Polka Dot Washi by Studio Calico
• Urban Traveler Chipboard Stickers by Simple Stories

Read more

I Fly Too Much

Hello everyone! How was your weekend? I had a fun scrappy one, completed two 12x12 layouts, updated my Zombie Apocalypse Survival Diary blog posts, watched lotsa crafty videos. It was FANTASTIC!

It's time for another homework from the Art+Science Scrapbook Workshop. I picked 2 photos that I've taken on the plane on my trip to Japan, but I didn't know what to journal about them. Finally decided to tell the story about how I told my best buddies 'I fly too much in the past 6 months'. Of course, they thought I were just showing off, but really, I get nauseated in the plane, and it's definitely excruciating!! And that reminds me my upcoming Sydney trip in exactly one month, oh my~

A PRETTY Layout. SAY IT!

The journaling is on the tag and my fav. Mustard Color Shine at the background!

I have been dying to use this airplane chipboard sticker! ♥ that 'Let's Go' fabric sticker by Amy Tangerine too!

♥ the way I tore the airplane patterned paper and the clouds die cuts!

Fantastic layout! And I finally get to use the cloud background patterned paper, the clouds die cuts, and the airplane chipboard sticker! Weeee~

Supplies (Papers)

• Sky Atlas by Studio Calico from Roundabout Scrapbook Kit
• Directions, Enjoy the Ride Collection by Echo Park
• Hello Love by Studio Calico from Valley High Scrapbook Kit
• Studio Calico Valley High Project Life Kit 3x4 Card
• Dear Lizzy Collection Tag

Supplies (Letters)

• Thickers by American Crafts
• Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants

Supplies (Embellies)

• Oh Yes Fabric Stickers & Sure Thing Dimensional Stickers by Amy Tangerine
• Enjoy the Ride Collection Sticker Accents by Echo Park
• Chalkboard with Arrows & Orange Polka Dot with Heart Washi Tape by Freckled Fawn
• Daydream Stickers by Heidi Grace Designs
• Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp
• Boarding Pass Chip n' Stick by October Afternoon
• Black & White Die Cut Clouds by Studio Calico from Roundabout Scrapbook Kit 

Read more

Tales of the Toilets

I joined the Art + Science of Scrapbooking Workshop by Stacy Julian and Jennifer Wilson on Big Picture Classes. Actually it's a birthday present for myself, since I know nobody is going to get me one, might as well get myself one. *forever alone sigh*

It's a very different workshop, because they are using 'left-brained' and 'right-brained' approaches to sort of differentiate the tendency of how a left-brained will do certain crafting process vs a right-brained person. Sorry if I sound confusing, that is way I don't get to teach classes. For more information, you can check out the workshop here.

So in the first class, they have this 'Ideation' chapter, which basically means how one comes up with a scrapbook story or idea. Logical and dull me, I have everything planned. To be exact, sometimes, when I take photos, I already have some idea such as what title I want to use, and what story I want to tell from the photos. A bit OCD-ish, maybe. And one of the instructors challenges us to find inspiration from our stash of patterned papers, to tell a story about a certain place. I would never ever, ever, come up with such idea. So I take on that challenge and had fun crafting. Below is the homework I handed in for that challenge.

WHO takes pictures of toilets, on purpose?? Answer: Mr. A

I like the title I came up with *hee*

{Washroom Restroom Toilet} This is one unique journaling, probably once in a lifetime, having the word toilet and its' synonym repeated so many times in a sentence.

My favorite 'decorating one of the top corners'

This is a simple page with minimal decorating. Love the simplicity and the funny story. Great challenge from Art + Science and looking forward to their upcoming classes. =)

Supplies (Patterned Papers)

• Aztec by Studio Calico from Marks & Co Scrapbook Kit
• Urban Traveler by Simple Stories from Roundabout Scrapbook Kit

Supplies (Alphas)

• Rub-ons Alpha by Heidi Grace
• Marquise Thickers by Amy Tangerine

Supplies (Embellishments)

• Geotag Chipboard Stickers by Studio Calico
• Cork-printed Washi by Studio Calico from Valley High Project Life Kit
• 1x6" Love Hello Stamp Set by Amy Tangerine for SC from Valley High Scrapbook Kit
• Airmail Divine Twine by Whisker Graphics from Roundabout Scrapbook Kit
• Tiny Brads

Read more

It's a Love Thing

I printed a bunch of photos last month, and after sorting them, I realized I need to make around 50+ LOs and a few mini albums. Don't think I can finish it all this year. *deep breath* one baby step at a time, I can do it!

I was having a hard time deciding which to scrap first, I mean they're all important in their own ways. In the end, I just grabbed what fancies me and work from there. The first photo that I've chosen is my parents with my cutie niece. There isn't any story to tell from this particular photo, but I just like the feel of it. Something to scrap and display at home.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

Step 2: Sprinkle My Fav. Mustard Color Shine

Step 3: Choose a Fav. Patterned Paper

Step 4: Glue Everything Down

Step 5: Decorate one of the Corners

Step 6: Done & Admire the Outcome

I'm slightly obsessed with 'decorating one of the corners', I think I did that in almost every LO. And again, embellishing took a long time. I tried to use up most of the cabochons and sequins from my scrapbook kit. Colors used in this LO including various shades of red and blue and some splashes of yellow here and there. Those are the colors that appeared in the photos. I tried to top blue embellishments on red background and vice versa. It's so subtle you might miss it if I don't mention it. But now you see them, right? Reds on blue, blues on red, with a splash of yellow to brighten things up. The initial title for the LO is Grandparents & Granddaughter, but I found that phrase sticker 'it's a love thing' and I think it's a more appropriate title for this LO, don't you think so?

Supplies (Patterned Papers)

• Day to Day and Tiny Love by Studio Calico 
• XSC-050 by Basic Grey for Studio Calico
• Project Life 3x4 Card from Studio Calico Valley High PL Kit

 Supplies (Alphas)

• Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants

 Supplies (Embellishments)

• Amy Tangerine: Noteworthy Accent & Phrase Sticker Book; Paint Fabric Stickers
• Heidi Swapp Mustard Color Shine
• Life-Love-Paper for Studio Calico Cork Tags
• Studio Calico: 3x6 Glossy * Thickers; Gold Polka Dot Washi Tape; GeoTag Thickers; Cabochons and Sequins
• SRM Life is Good Sentiment Stickers

Read more

Hello September!

Wow, time flies! What happened to August? Oh well, I guess when you have so much on your plate you can't really keep track of everything (at least for me). Another long weekend, one of the perks of living in this country, too many public holiday. Not that I'm complaining. Though my boss has grunted a little about 'too many holiday, too little time for work', yeah, he did say that. Okay, enough rambling, let's get started on photo spamming!

Today, I'm going to upload my monthly resolution review mini layout. They're all 6x6 and I use them to keep track of how good I'm doing with my RR, which is terribly bad. Seems like my 'Done' list is always the shortest. Sigh, me and procrastination, love-hate relationship. ~.~

I posted my first layout for 2013 RR in January, back then I planned to review it once every fortnight, but then I realized it's quite tedious. So I revised it to once every month, which seems more reasonable. So, starting from where I left off, month of February: 

I did the RR in my mini album for February

Dull looking March 2013 RR

Managed to get more things done in April

May is not bad too~

I used up my tiny tiny scraps papers as borders on this one

July 2013 RR

August 2013 RR with my favorite washi tape

All of the background patterned papers are from my stash of 6x6 paper pads, while most of the embellishments and smaller patterned papers are from my leftover scraps from other projects. The RR list took up a lot of space and little embellishing is done on each. It's a simple monthly 6x6 LO but sometimes I dragged it more than 2 months before I started kicking myself for procrastinating. And I was supposed to post another update on my RR LO around July, but I dragged it until now, September.

I still can't believe it's already September. SEPTEMBER!! Oh gosh, I'm going to get panic attack, the last quarter of 2013 is 2 weeks away and why do I feel like I didn't get anything done this year?? Oh God Oh God Oh God

Read more

The Australian Museum

I *think* this will be the last layout for my Sydney trip last year. I only left a few random pointless photos, which I think I'll just leave them at the bottom of my drawer.

My looooong weekend started since Thursday, and I only managed to get ONE layout done, sigh.. Well, at least I met up with some of my uni mates and had plenty of nap. Plenty. There goes my looooong weekend ~.~

Shimelle hosted a Best of Both Worlds Scrapbooking Weekend last week, with a lot of fun challenges for us to try. I thought I'll be using my looooong weekend to complete at least THREE challenges. Oh well, next time I know I shouldn't overestimate myself. Three challenges? Bah.

In this layout I used the flexible template as my basic sketch. It's pretty simple actually, photos at the top and title and journaling at the bottom. No fixed dimension and we can scale the areas for photos/journaling however we want. See how flexible it is?

Initially I wanted the background for this layout to be just colored cardstock, because I have a lot of photos and probably will do heavy embellishing on the page. After referring to the other layouts for this trip, I decided to use a more busy background because the other layouts all have very very busy background, so I pulled out this Echo Park, Just My Type patterned paper. Then I used different tones of orange to neutralized the overall look.

I love the cork thickers!

Journaling spot with a cute owl!

Little embellishing

Supplies (Patterned Papers)

• For the Record 2, Just My Type by Echo Park
• Limitless by Studio Calico
• XSC-050 by Basic Grey for Studio Calico

Supplies (Alphas)

• Dazzle Cork Thickers by American Crafts
• Kut Kraft Alphabeans by Jillibean Soup
• White Alpha Stickers by Basic Grey

Supplies (Embellishments)

• Cute Overload Tiny Matte Puffy Accents, Oh Yes Fabric Stickers & date stamp by Amy Tangerine
• Whoots by Art Impressions (Owl rubber stamp, cute!!) 
• Tabloids Two-Sided Elements by Authentique
• Star Metal Studs by Basic Grey
• Geo Tag Resin by Freckled Fawn for Studio Calico
• Boarding Pass Chip n' Stick by October Afternoon
• Cork printed Washi by Studio Calico
• 3x4 and 4x6 Project Life Card

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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~

Read more

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.

Read more