Delight!

Hey there! Don't you just love it when you discover a stamp, hidden away in your stash, neglected because it is dominated by the ones you claim to be your favourites and tend to use very often? Well I do! And it was an absolute delight to find this gorgeous silhouette stamp, sitting pretty in the last page of my clear stamps' folder :) I wonder why I never used it all this while, gosh! In all my excitement, I made this chic 'n' trendy card set -

It was quite a challenge to get a crisp image though...since it is a silhouette. I actually stamped twice to get a 'full' solid image. But I'm quite happy with the way these turned out :)

And now, it's like a light bulb moment. I plan NOT to buy any MORE stamps and make full and better use of the ones I have, LOL!

Happy crafting!

Another Mini Album

I'm back with another interesting scrapbooking project. It's a mini album made from envelopes, how cool is that? I found the idea at Following the Paper Trail. Love!

Each 'page' is actually an envelope, so fun! I haven't made the inserts yet, but that's easy breezy. I've used a 6x6 paper pad with shabby chic prints. Didn't venture into much in the embellishment department...kept the pages very, very simple so there's enough space for pictures or journaling. But if the envelopes were bigger, then I'd have more space to spare for embellishments and borders and such. That's the best part about this album, any size envelopes would work. Hmmm...I'm jotting down a pack of 6x6 square envelopes on my 'to buy' list :)

Hope you try this cool little project. Have fun!

Happy crafting!

Scrapbooking: Mini Album

My fascination for mini albums started a while ago when I stumbled upon a tutorial for 'toilet paper roll' mini album. It was just too good an idea to resist! I saw several other similar ones and then I HAD to try it myself. And once I made a couple, I was hooked :) Then there were the 'paper bag/lunch bag' mini albums. Oh they're so cool too! I made a couple of those as well, they're so much fun. And now, just the other day I found this tutorial for a cool 'pouch mini album'. Awesome stuff! I made one right away...

The colours I've used for this project are mainly purple and pink. I love these pattern papers... they're from a pack I bought from Kmart long ago, I finally got to play with them. The pictures don't show the true colours though, this looks so much brighter IRL.
 

I didn't have 6x6 chipboard, so I just used the backing card from the paper pack. It's quite sturdy, sort of like lightweight chipboard itself. I simply had to cover it with the same pretty paper. Works like a charm!

There are six pouches in this mini album for which I used three sheets of 12x12 card stock in shades of purple and four sheets of 12x12 pattern paper for the matting layers.
 

 I made the inserts with plain white card stock.

 Added three binder rings to hold everything together, then some pretty ribbon in coordinating colours and very simple embellishments and voila! My super cute mini album is ready!

 Mini albums can be made in so many possible colours, sizes and themes and are wonderful as little handmade gifts to give away or make a set for your own photos and memorabilia. I'm definitely stricken :)

Happy crafting!

I'm back...finally!

Hello there! I finally decided I need to get back to blogging :) It's been way too long!

I had most of my craft stuff stowed away as we needed to clear out some space for family who were visiting. We couldn't let the poor things unpack and sleep amidst glue, glitter and loads of paper, could we? So with that went my mojo, all packed and out of the way :( How I missed crafting!
And then, eventually, I did pull out things from their hiding, one by one, but then I had a lot of things on my mind, had a lot of sorting out to do and so...not crafting, not taking pictures and not blogging wasn't really that hard. In fact it seemed like an easier option then. So days went by, and then weeks and then months! Although, I did manage to occasionally take some time and play with my stamps 'n' paper. And I did some shopping too :)

So here I am! Back to regular blogging (hopefully).

I thought I'd share with you the things I've been upto the past couple of weeks...

First up, I finally, FINALLY, organised my crafting space! Before, everything would be strewn across my table and I somehow managed to put my projects together in the 6x6 clear space I had, LOL! But now, thanks to husby darling who got me some much needed storage solutions, everything is now neatly tucked away in drawers, boxes, shelves and baskets. That way, I have more elbow space on my table.

I got these gorgeous pattern paper packs, yum!

 a pack of 12x12 pattern papers from Spotlight

I bought this lovely K&Co paper pad from this Etsy store

And then, these are some altered note pads I worked on today. They were so much fun!

 

Whew! Feels so good to be back :)

I think I've done well enough for the grand 'come-back post'! Will leave you with these for now and will be back with more news and more crafty things to share :)

Until then, happy crafting!

What's up?

The Craft Angel seems to be on an extended holiday!
Got to get back to work soon :)

Hope the new year started off well for you.

Happy crafting!

Holiday Cheer Gift Tags

I strongly believe that a gift given with love is always well received, no matter what the size or price tag. And if it comes with pretty packaging then even more smiles :) I love nicely presented gifts. They say a lot about the thought that's gone into it and let's face it, even the plainest of presents can be dolled up with a little bit of creative presentation. It doesn't always have to be the conventional wrapping paper or a gift bag, that's the best part. Little altered tins, interesting jars, boxes, anything can be innovatively used. And the great thing is you can upcycle/recycle several things as unique packaging. I know I collect those yogurt tubs/biscuit tins (and the like) for a reason (much to husby darling's growing fury though!).

But if you don't have the time (or the patience) to channel your creative side, especially after you've spent hours finding 'just the right gift' for like twenty something important people on your list, then some ribbon and gift tags should do the job nicely.

Here are a few CAS gift tags. I'd been wanting to ink up that fun stamp, I think I bought it at Lincraft, love it!

 

 

They are listed on my Madeit Store. I made them in four colours - kraft, blue, pink and green.

Oh and speaking of prettily wrapped presents and the joy that comes with it, have you ever seen a little girl's eyes light up with the most beautiful smile in the world when she's handed over a present wrapped in pink with shiny twirling ribbon? Sigh.

Happy crafting!

Lulled into a Craftless Sleep!

Busy days, a week long trip to Adelaide, being sick (bummer) and a slow and bumpy episode of house cleaning have all left little or no time to craft. Although some faint voice inside my head is prodding me to make something for the holidays, ignoring it seems convenient and easy enough! OMG! I can't believe I just said that! But sadly, it's true. Where's my mojo? I'd better find it soon...

For now, here's a card that I'd made for a dear friend's baby shower a couple of months ago... (remember the diaper cake I'd made for the same occasion?)

Image: In Style Stamps (I customised it a wee bit for my friend)

Well, I do hope I get over this sluggish phase soon. But otherwise, hope everyone's right in the holiday spirit and hope you're having lots of fun!

Happy Holidays!