Kek Lok Si

Hello people! Sorry I didn't post any new layout last week, I was lazy and didn't get any new layout done until these few days. So here we are, my first 12x12 layout for 2014! 

I've used the January Week 3 sketch from Let's Get Sketchy as my foundation, though I've changed a couple of things to better suit my layout. I don't always join layout sketch challenge, but this year I am going to challenge myself to join as much challenges as I can. This way I can make sure I will have 'constant output' for my layouts and blog posts, and maybe a chance to win some goodies or get featured at other blogs. Killing few birds with one stone. *wink*

So back to this layout. These photos were taken back in 2010, a few days road trip I had with my parents after my internship. We seldom travel together, so these are the few rare occasions that I wanted to record through my scrapbooking. Honestly I think they probably don't even remember this trip. Well, luckily I borrowed a camera from my sis at that time and managed to snap a few photos throughout the trip.

This was one of the places we went, Kek Lok Si, a temple located in Penang. The temple has these stone carved zodiacs around their garden and we took pictures with our zodiac sign. Both my parents were born in the year of Tiger, and I am a Dragon year baby. 

I wanted to use up that patterned vellum that I bought few years ago, and it does look nice with the background. Then I picked the color scheme for this layout from the vellum, pink/red with turquoise/aqua. The embossed cardstock that I chose is a darker shade of turquoise and I placed another piece of vellum on top to soften it.

There is a square photo in the sketch but I only have 2 photos for this layout, so I cheated a bit and picked the 3x3 photo overlay and backed it with a vintage looking camera from Red River Gorge Cut Out as substitute for that element. 

Buttons, I have not used them in ages!

Supplies (Papers)

• Horizon Line & Vellum by Studio Calico
• Love You Madly Collection 8" Paper Pack by Glitz
• Patterned Printed Vellum
• Embossed Cardstock
• Red River Gorge Cut Out by Studio Calico

Supplies (Letters)

• Letter Stickers by local bookstore
• Honey Sticky Keys by October Afternoon

Supplies (Embellies)

• Vellum Tape by Basic Grey (Studio Calico Double Scoop PL Kit)
• DIY Shop Accent Stickers & 3x3 Photo Overlays (Studio Calico Roundabout Scrapbook Kit) by Crate Paper
• Sn@p! Icons Stickers by Simple Stories

This is my first layout in 2014, and my first challenge entry at Let's Get Sketchy, any comments are appreciated!

Have a lovely Sunday!

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Up To No Good

Hello everyone! It's another public holiday here in Malaysia, and I get to slack at home and do nothing, yay! 

This is the last layout I made in year 2013, and it's about the 3 kids in my life. This layout captured their mischief and it's another fun topic to scrapbook, but I had a hard time coming up with a nice title, until I saw one layout with a famous phrase from Harry Potter (sorry I couldn't recall where I found that layout),

I Solemnly Swear that I am Up To No Good

I didn't have any journaling on this layout, and I've kept embellishments to a minimum (for my standard, anyway). I have chosen 3 spots as my visual triangle and decorated each with a wooden monkey that my sis bought for me on her trip to Bangkok (yes, those kids are like monkeys sometimes, too playful indeed). I added the kids' initial beside the monkey and did a little embellishing.

Big Brother, ZY

Only Girl, YL

Baby Brother, ZE

The background patterned paper is from one of the Studio Calico kits. I think the bright orange and stars pattern are a good match for kids related layout. The photos are backed with another 2 different patterned papers and some vellum. 

Final Look

 
When I trimmed the manufacturer's strip from the background patterned paper, I didn't get a clean trim, my blade was a bit dull. So I used scissors to do a little bit more trimming, that was when I didn't get a straight cut and I decided to make the four edges uneven by cutting them not straight, on purpose. It's difficult to tell from the photo, I think.

Supplies (Papers)

• Twinkle Twinkle & Vellum by Studio Calico
• Sleigh Bell Trail from 25th & Pine Collection by Basic Grey
• Stamp Book from Travel Girl Collection by October Afternoon
• 4x6 and 3x4 Project Life Cards

Supplies (Letters)

• Typo Kraft Embossed Mini Alpha
• Glitter Black Thickers by Pink Paislee for Studio Calico
• Swagger & Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants

Supplies (Embellies)

• Fla!r Adhesive Badges by Amy Tangerine 
• Star Metal Studs by Basic Grey
• Polka Dot with Heart & Chalkboard Washi Tape by Freckled Fawn
• Happy Words Glitter Stickers by Glitz & Glitter
• Daydream Fabric Stickers by Heidi Grace Designs
• 6x8 Perforated Word Strips & Woodgrain Star Sequins by Studio Calico

So, that's all for my 2013 layouts, going to continue making more awesome layouts this year. Stay tuned! And thanks for stopping by.

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Here, There & Everywhere

Happy Sunday! I'm back to share another layout that I made back in December, and probably one of my favorites. I love the photos and the story behind the layout, more to an everyday story, not staged portrait or something. Anyway, I doubt you can get the kids to cooperate on a staged portrait, they just don't give a damn LOL But these are the type of stories that I love to record, the little things that can put a smile on our faces when we look back at the layouts.

I knew what title I was going to use when I first saw these photos. Here, there and everywhere! It's a very long title, and I had to use a few different letters to spell that out. Love the colorful and black letters contrast. Love having the letters on photo too~

Here, There & Everywhere

This background paper is by Fancy Pants, and although I love the chevron pattern, I don't like the orange, it's more of a darker orange. I decided to use vellum to cover the whole background paper. I have this 'when in doubt, use vellum' kind of thinking recently, so I have used quite a lot of vellum on my last few layouts. I used Amy Tangerine's Embroidery Stencil Kit to sew the word 'LOVE' at the bottom corner too. 

LOVE

LOVE closeup. Excuse the blurriness.

Added a glitter 'precious' sticker on top of the word LOVE

Decorated the top corner of the photos

 

Decorated a little bit here too

 

Voila!

The top photo showed that all the grown ups were trying to get the kids attention directed at the camera, but even after telling them to look at the camera, only the eldest kid looked at it. I think everywhere else was much more interesting to look at than the camera on that day, hahaha. By the way, I was the one holding the camera, and I love taking candid shots, that's why I always ended up with too many photos. But that is also the reason why I get to capture these special moments. 

Supplies (Papers)

• Rosewood from Collecting Moments Collection by Fancy Pants
• Sleigh Bell Trail from 25th & Pine Collection by Basic Grey
• Tiny Love, Vellum & Project Life Card by Studio Calico
• Neapolitan Tag by Dear Lizzy

Supplies (Letters)

• Sn@p Letters Stickers by Simple Stories
• Patchwork Letter and Number Sticker Book by American Crafts

Supplies (Embellies)

• Orange Polka with Heart by Freckled Fawn
• Happy Words Glitter Stickers by KI Memories
• Jewel Candy Dots by Pebbles
• Icon Embroidery Stencil Kit by Amy Tangerine for Studio Calico
• Real Life Badge by In a Creative Bubble for Studio Calico
• Sn@p Icons Stickers by Simple Stories
• Brads & Buttons

Almost half a month has passed since New Year, and I still have not sit down and think about what I want to do with my life. 26 and clueless, oh my.. I also haven't make any 12x12 layouts yet, though I've started with my Kyoto-Osaka trip Pocket Pages. The progress is very slow, and I think the earliest I can get it done will probably be around March? I just can't seem to coordinate everything on the Pocket Page and it will probably be the messiest non coordinating layouts I ever made.

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Where is the Golden Ticket?

Hey ya everyone, Happy 2014! I still have a few layouts from 2013 that I have not yet blogged about, I promise I'll get them up in these two weeks. 

I have not made any New Year Resolution for 2014, though I'll be more easy on myself this year. It's going to be a tough year, but there are also some good things to be expected. =)

Okay, back to scrappy business. This is a random topic layout, something about me and my personality. When I was in Sydney, I bought this bar of chocolate, just because it's 'Wonka's chocolate bar', I don't even like to eat chocolate, so it seems stupid but I really wanted to get myself a chocolate bar by Wonka!! And so I bought it, and took me almost a week to finish that. It's yummy, but as I've said, not a big fan of chocolate. And though I know it's impossible to find any Golden Ticket in it, still, I hoped and hoped like a little girl. So basically that's the story of this layout, I wanted to get my hands on a Wonka bar hoping there would be a Golden Ticket inside so I would get to visit the cool factory, LOL!

Took me a while to find a nice patterned paper for the background

Where is the Golden Ticket?

Memorabilia instead of photo

Yummy Mint Jellies by Queen & Co.

Decorate the Corner!!

Ever since I received the Vellum I ordered from Studio Calico, it's a bit hard to not use them on most of my layouts. I love how it softens the bold pattern, easy on the eye. The background patterned paper is from Studio Calico, and I love it! The not-so-rigid light brown and cream chevron, a yummy combination. I used mint and red on the layout too, since the memorabilia has both of the color and it's an easier choice to just follow that than creating a whole new coordinating color combination. Before I made this layout, I went out to look for gold thickers and luckily I found what I needed. I love how I placed the title on top of the Vellum, looks really nice, isn't it? And I just realized my titles are usually very long and I always have to use at least 2 different packs of letters for that. Luckily I have acquired quite a lot, in various shapes and sizes and colors. Other than that, not much embellishments were used on this layout, I just cut out some phrases and stuffs from the chocolate bar packaging and used those instead. At least the wordings will be related to the topic and the color combination is totally right.

Supplies (Papers)

• Now is Now, Say What, Kraft & Vellum by Studio Calico
• London Fog by Bazzill
• Stamp Book from Travel Girl Collection by October Afternoon

Supplies (Letters)

• Hardcover Gold Foil Letter Stickers by American Crafts
• Honey Sticky Keys by October Afternoon
• Craft Mini Alpha from Typo

Supplies (Embellies)

• Scattered Red Polka Washi by Freckled Fawn
• Mint Jellies by Queen & Co.
• Gold Polka Dot Washi & 3x6 * Thickers by Studio Calico

Alright everyone, enjoy your Sunday! I'm hoping I can at least get started with my Kyoto-Osaka trip layouts or list down my New Year Resolution today.

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Favorite {Food|Drink} of this Journey

This is the last layout for my Bangkok trip. These two photos are actually filler photos (I ordered a 200 prints of 4x6 but couldn't get that many photos to print so I started including in some photos that I had no intention to scrapbook, until I took a second look at them. Also explains why some of my layouts has more photos than it should)

We went to many restaurants and stalls, but didn't get a lot of pictures of other food. But these two, my absolute favorite! I had the pineapple fried rice at the airport actually, right before our flight back home. They put in a lot of ingredients, which they rarely do at other places. Chicken floss, shrimps, cashew nuts, pineapple cubes and raisins! And they put the fried rice in a real pineapple (okay, some places do that too but the ingredients that they put in, there's no comparison) Oh my oh my, mouth watering isn't it? 

As for the pomegranate juice, that's love at first sip I tell you. They have stalls selling those everywhere, and I think they're expensive, I mean, a small bottle which I can drain in 3 gulps costs 20 Baht? They have other juices in the larger bottle which is only 15 to 20 Baht! And why don't they have it here, in Malaysia!! All I can find is pomegranate scented body products, which I can't drink. *sigh*

Pretty Pretty Layout

The 3x4 cut out is perfect for my title placement

I love the green 'Love This' 3x4 cut out too!

Finally put the instax frame chipboard to good use!

The photos are quite colorful and I wanted to use a more colorful background instead of the dull kraft that I've used on the other Bangkok layouts. I have chosen a happy colorful diagonal stripes, then I pulled out most of my colorful supplies such as cut outs, chipboard, and some other patterned papers too. The placement of the photos and patterned papers came down quickly, and I even added some kraft to make this layout 'connected' to the others. As for embellishments, I couldn't find anything that match, again. Then I decided to use the postage stickers I received from Studio Calico, and looked up food-cafe-restaurant themed stickers, which they have a few on it, and use those as embellishments instead. Not perfect, but better than without.

Supplies (Papers)

• 31 cours des 4 jeudis #12 by 4heures27
• Alister Cut Apart Sheet from Cut & Paste Collection by Amy Tangerine
• Dot & Loops, Garden Party, Tiny Love & Kraft by Studio Calico

Supplies (Letters)

• Thickers by American Crafts
• Swagger Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
• Raspberry Tiny Alpha Stickers by Kaisercraft
• Tiny Alpha Stickers by Time & Beck

Supplies (Embellies)

• Orange Polka Dot with Heart Washi by Freckled Fawn
• Labels by Hello Forever
• Urban Traveler Chipboard Stickers by Simple Stories
• Puffy Stickers by Twine+Ink
• Candy Stripers by Queens & Co.
• Korean Postage Stickers

Thank you for stopping by, and have a lovely Sunday!

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Grand Palace @ Bangkok

Oh, the visit to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, how could I ever forget it? That was the only time me and my boyfriend had some slight disagreement *ahem* during the whole trip in Bangkok. The weather was hot, even hotter than Malaysia, and to walk under the sun for hours, posing for pictures, are you seriously kidding me??! Put me under shades and get me a popsicle!

This is also a special layout, or should I say, a layout and a half? Other than the special story behind this layout, I also did something that I have not tried before, creating a complementing 6x12 layout for a 12x12 layout.

For this layout, I have 3 photos with horizontal/vertical mix again. Although I've tackled this problem half a dozen times, the challenge for this time is the extra memorabilia that I got during the visit. I like to collect useless stuffs like this and don't even bother to read them. *shrug*

I started by mentally visualizing the look of my 12x12 layout, and then tried to mirror the overall elements on the 6x12 side. I have these really cute gold doilies from one of the Studio Calico Scrapbook Kit and I know I have got to use them on this layout, along with my favorite Heidi Swapp Mustard Color Shine. My color combo for this round is neutral (black-white-grey-kraft) with pops of gold here and there.

This Dots & Loops patterned paper is awesome!

First time placing the title of the layout on top of the photo, love the look!

Oh Lovely Doilies~

True Story

The complementing 6x12 layout with the brochure and ticket stubs

I pulled out all of my gold embellishments for this layout, which isn't a lot. I have to substitute the gold with some yellow instead. The gold paper clip on the 6x12 layout is by Amy Tangerine from the Planetarium Project Life Kit. These will go side by side in my *non existence/imaginary* scrapbook album. I'm still debating should I decorate or add another 6x12 layout on the back of this 6x12 layout, because I would be putting it in a 6x12 page protector. Well, I guess it depends on how hardworking I am.

Supplies (Papers)

• Dots & Loops and Kraft by Studio Calico
• Stamp Book from Travel Girl Collection by October Afternoon

Supplies (Letters)

• Thickers by American Crafts
• Project Life Kit Alpha by Basic Grey
• Gold Foil Alpha by Dear Lizzy

Supplies (Embellies)

• Paper Clip Set by Amy Tangerine
• Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp
• Gold Polka Dot Washi by Studio Calico
• Gold Mini Doilies by Studio Selections
• Gold Edge Die Cut Labels by Twine & Ink
• Brads

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you have a lovely Christmas Eve!

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Terminal 21 of Bangkok

Hey guys! Here's another layout that I made for my Bangkok trip. We went to Terminal 21, even though shopping was not high on our list of to do. One of my sis went there and told me about the design and concept of the mall, which is why we decided to go there for some sight-seeing. It's actually a pretty cool and unique concept (to me, at least). You can find a lot of photos of the mall online if you're interested. 

For this layout, I have 3 4x6 photos actually, but I trimmed 2 of them into squares of roughly 4x4. Initially, I have them placed side by side on the horizontal, kinda like the Tales of Toilets layout that I made back in September. Then I snapped a photo of the placement (tips learned from talented Mercy Tiara actually) and decided to come back to it on the second day. And you know what, when I came back to the layout, I think the placement was really dull and not attractive or creative at all. I just don't like it. So after fumbling around for another half an hour, I placed them vertically on the left side of my layout. I usually prefer to place things on the right side, but this time I decided to go with left, just to change my habit a bit. And oh, I decided to stick with the 'use kraft as background for all Bangkok trip' theme, though I abandoned the idea on my last 2 Bangkok layouts ~.~ So this is the final look of my layout.

I SWEAR I forgot to return the Food Terminal Card, I didn't keep it on purpose!

Decorated the corners using a lot of travel themed embellishments that I bought these few years

For this layout, I did a few things differently compared to what I would usually do. For instance, I placed the main focus on the left side of the layout, vertically. Secondly, I use stitching as part of my 'embellishment'. I love the look of machine stitch but since I don't have any sewing machine, I'll just have to make do with my ugly hand stitch. Next, I finally used the gold foil frame which I dreaded using since I received it from my scrapbook kit. Lastly, no title for this layout!! Since the picture alone would have told you where I'm scrapbooking about, I think putting another title to show it seems a bit.. unnecessary. So.much.win!

Supplies (Papers)

• Kraft & Tourist by Studio Calico
• Urban Traveler by Simple Stories

Supplies (Embellies)

• Stacked Chipboard Gold Foil Frames by Studio Calico
• Chalkboard Arrow Washi by Freckled Fawn
• FLA!R Adhesive Badges by Amy Tangerine
• Oh, Snap Sticker Accents and Camera Cutout by Echo Park
• Mustard Color Shine by Heidi Swapp
• Boarding Pass Chip n' Stick by October Afternoon
• Urban Traveler Chipboard Stickers by Simple Stories

p/s: I should be cleaning my room, decluttering stuffs, but instead, I 'wasted' my time away by blogging and convinced myself that this is more important than a tidy room. *facepalm*

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Chatuchak

Proudly presenting.. my 20th 12x12 Layout! *clap clap clap* 

(I've counted a few times, and this is indeed the 20th layout I made)

Below is a short speech I have prepared for addressing my accomplishment *ahem*

This is such an honour *what?!*, and I enjoyed making every layouts, experimenting and exploring my style, an outlet of my bursts of creativity. Of course, it all comes at a cost, a thinner wallet, lack of sleep, frustration when my mojo left me and so on, but I persist and persevere, and this has led me to making more awesome layouts. I hope this tiny accomplishment will one day make me a great scrapbooker! Thank you!! *waving*

Okay, I might have gone over the line, but I'm really happy my 20th layout didn't turn out to be a disaster. 

This layout is about the 'market' that we went in Bangkok, Chatuchak. It's a really nice place to shop for some local designers' brands and a great place for some nice dessert! I love the coconut ice cream especially! 

I continue my 'kraft background for all Bangkok trip's layout' theme, and added a dash of happy colors. This is my first time using the Triangles Giant Roller Doodle on a 12x12 layout, and as you can see, I didn't get them straight. This was a last minute addition as well, because both the top and bottom part of my clusters seems to be hanging in the air, and with nothing connecting them. I didn't want to add another patterned paper to complicate things, and finally thought of using the roller doodle to make the connection needed. As for my clusters, I tried to layer them with 3 different patterned papers and oh man, that is quite difficult for me. The results you're seeing is actually around an hour of moving things around repeatedly until I get the right feel. ~.~

Chatuchak, a place for good bargain and great snacks!

A small title, which is quite hidden. Love the 'We Were Here' badge!

It's indeed an awesome place =)

Eat.Drink.Shop.

Supplies (Papers)

• Kraft, Homemeade Hello, Garden Party & Pizzicato by Studio Calico
• Love You Madly 8x8 Cut Apart Sheet by Glitz

Supplies (Letters)

• Honey Sticky Keys by October Afternoon
• Tiny Alpha Stickers by Tim and Beck for Studio Calico

Supplies (Embellies)

• Triangles Giant Roller Doodle by Glitz
• Noteworthy Accent & Phrase Sticker Book & Bits Die Cut Cardstock Shapes by Amy Tangerine
• Orange Polka with Heart Washi by Freckled Fawn
• 'We Were Here' Badge by In a Creative Bubble for Studio Calico
• Geotag Chipboard Shapes & 3x6 Glossy * Thickers by Studio Calico
• Sn@p! Icons Stickers by Simple Stories

Thank you for stopping by and Happy Friday! =)

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YL {2}

Happy Friday everyone! Today I'm sharing a layout I created last month. I think this is the only layout I made in November, I was just back from Sydney and usually this disrupts my routine for at least 2 weeks. Well, glad to say that I'm back to my usual routine of happy craftiness and endless learning. =)

This layout is about my niece, the princess of our family. I wanted to use some happy color and I found this background paper by Amy Tangerine in my stash, a happy diagonal stripes of orange and white! I know I've got to use this as my background, and I added some pink and yellow to the layout too.

I'm in love with this background paper by Amy Tangerine

The punched papers banner was a last minute addition, and I'm glad I did it

Simple journaling with some embellishments

Supplies (Papers)

• Section 1 from Cut & Paste Collection by Amy Tangerine
• Garden Party by Studio Calico
• (Punched Papers) Nostalgia 6x6 Paper Pad by My Mind's Eye

Supplies (Letters)

• Trendsetter Sticker Fundamentals by Fancy Pants
• Charcoal Cut Out Thickers by Amy Tangerine
• Black Stroll Thickers by American Crafts

Supplies (Embellies)

• Die Cut Frames by Dear Lizzy
• Chips Varnish Chipboard & Jewel Candy Dots by Pebbles
• 3x6 Glossy * Thickers by Studio Calico
• Embellishments by Recollections
• Daydream Fabric Stickers by Heidi Swapp Designs
• ABC Washi by Studio Calico 

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend everyone!

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I Should be Blogging..

*but I was lazy*

Happy December! It's public holiday (for my state) here today, and I managed to create 2 layouts and took pictures of all the other layouts that I did after I came back from Sydney last month. So, I have a total of 5 layouts to share in the coming weeks. What's more, the Project Life pocket pages that I ordered from Studio Calico arrived yesterday, can't even express how excited I was when I came home and found 2 large parcels waiting for me! =) Though I had to admit I am a bit disappointed with the Scrapbook Mystery Kits that I ordered. They sent me 2 kits that I already have. *sigh* Well, at least the Project Life Mystery Kits are good. I have a few items that I know I won't be using, maybe I'll RAK it somewhere. 

Anyway, since the pocket pages are here, I can start making layouts for my Kyoto/Osaka trip! And today I get my lazy arse to finish all my Bangkok trip layouts (2 layouts in a day!), woohooo~! *proud of meself*

2014 is approaching *gasp, you gotta be kidding me* and it's about time to do all the new year resolution stuffs again. I know I didn't do well on my resolution this year, but at least I did get some of the items off the list. Nope, not going to beat myself up for not completing each and every item on the list. Though I think I'll loosen up a bit the coming year. We'll see. =)

And for those procrastinators out there, this interesting read might be what you need to get your arse off and start doing things. 

Alright, I should be sleeping right now. Good night, folks! 

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