one of my resolutions...

This year I thought I'd use my sewing machine more often. The guilt pangs are acute, especially since I almost threw a tantrum at the store some time last year and got my way. Husby darling is so polite that he sometimes only just casually mentions the almost unused, near new Brother, tucked away in a dark corner of the room. The  Opus Gluei Poobahs have presented their latest challenge - Soup to Nuts. The deal is that we either finish off a long overdue project or start a new (maybe yearlong) project. So my take on it is to start making better use of my sewing machine. I hope it makes sense and qualifies for the challenge! 


I love patchwork quilts. They have an endearing country style charm that I can't resist. I'd love to make one myself, but the thought is overwhelming since I'm still very new to the world of sewing. So I thought I'd bring in a bit of that element into my card. Here's how it turned out - 

And now that the sewing machine is out, I might try some easy sewing projects :)

On my shelf right now...

The bout of reading is here! You'll find these on my shelf right now...

Autobiography of a Yogi - Mum had suggested this book to me a while ago and she keeps talking about what an interesting read it is. So I finally bought myself a copy while we were at The Self Realisation Fellowship in California. (which by the way is such a beautiful place!). Paramahansa Yogananda, a great saint, talks about his remarkable life dotted with saints and yogis, science and miracles, death and resurrection. I have to admit, I did find it a little hard to read when I started as the tone of the book isn't very modern. But as you go on, the book simply fills you with sheer wonder! It is a spiritual book and I'm very intrigued by philosophy, so this book is very interesting, in my terms.


Sacred Games - the adorable couple, H&A, (our very good friends) lent me this book. We share a common passion for good books and they promised I'd like it. And I do :) I'm still reading it. It's quite on the same lines as 'Shantaram'. It's set against the backdrop of the Indian underworld, the gangsters and the power-play. I think it's a great read.


The Food of India - It's a book on Indian food and has gorgeous, gorgeous pictures, I love it! It's my latest inspiration in the kitchen :)

Husby darling also picked up Dan Brown's Deception Point and since he's hogging it right now, I'll have to wait my turn :)

Another Birthday Card

I'm back with another birthday card I made this afternoon. Colouring in that cake has brought in some cake cravings. Darn! Maybe I'll settle for some of my instant 'throw-in-a-buncha-stuff in a bowl' microwave choc pudding instead, hmmm...

 

 

Birthday Card

I must admit, I've been addicted to pink 'n' purple and all colours girly. So, when I sat down to make a card for my cousin, I was kind of lost! I'm sure he wouldn't really be flattered with a pink or purple card :) So I chose to make one in shades of green. I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. Hope he likes it. I wouldn't know that now would I, if I haven't mailed it to him yet?! *sigh* Will I ever be organised? I wonder...
I have to put in bold on my 'to-do' list and soon :)

A closer look...

Oozing with cuteness!

These gift card holders look yummy enough to eat! They're so so so easy to make, see it here. I've used K & Company's Valentines Day patterned paper. They're so pretty, all pink 'n' red and girly :) I've also used some of my new stamps that I was dying to use. Hmmm. life's good!

 

 

 

 

Hide 'n' Seek: A Card? A Bag?

I frequently scour the internet for craft ideas and inspiration. I'm amazed at the creativity that's out there! It makes me feel so proud that we're all this big, huge crafting community, constantly creating. In my head it's like this massive wave of positive energy, all flowing into making something beautiful! *sigh*, it's an overwhelming feeling. Tell me if you've felt it too...

So, I made this super cute gift bag that looks like a card. It's so easy to make and again, can be so easily customised for anything. I bought a pack of  (paper) party loot bags in white. They're available in different colours too. Then I trimmed down the bag to the size I wanted and cut out two pieces of CS. Then I stuck them on to both sides of the bag and used patterned paper to decorate. For closure, I used a square piece of CS and used dimensionals at the bottom only. That way the flap opens and closes easily.
I love it!

All boxed up!

Continuing my box frenzy (for some reason!). I love how these turned out. They're so versatile, great for small gifts. And they're so easy to customise to suit any occasion. Love it, love it, love it!

 

 

I'm sending the red 'n' black one as my entry to Caardvarks' Red Heart challenge and the pink cupcake one to In Style Stamps' Sweets! challenge.

Please click on the images for a larger view.