still cleaning & a giveaway!

I've been trying to clean up my scrapping area the entire day today; re-arranging all the mediums, shifting the papers around, figuring out what I still need and then what I really need (nope they aren't the same thing). And when I thought everything was done... well I turned around and realized that there's still that pile of amazing goodies on the floor. Uhmmmm, gotta start over again!

In the mean time, I managed to quickly finish up a layout that I started a while back, but had been missing the picture to go a long with it. Finally found the right one today... and vola, here's a little something to capture our trip to portugal. I remember that during the weekend that we were... it was raining all through out the day, but that definitely didn't stop us from trotting around the gorgeous city.



Just having fun with the patterns on the pattern paper from crate paper....



And yes, after all the cleaning and tidying up today... there were some goodies that I have finally convience myself to let go....(or so i think). And I was wondering if there's anyone out there who might be interested in these goodies. There's still alot of layouts left in these and there's over a 100 sheets of pattern paper included here (please note that some are used, but most are still uncut and untouched!)



If you are interested, please leave a comment on this post by mindnight Saturday Nov 20th. If there's more than one person, I will randomly draw the lucky person on Sunday Nov 21st. Please note that this is only open to those in Singapore (due to the heavy weight of the papers).

Thanks guys for all your support!!! And do check back as there will be a few more giveaways in the coming weeks... as there's still a bit of cleaning (clearing) out to do. Please also check out "my goodies for sale" page for updates.

Nite Nite everyone!

a few things to do...

there's quite a bit to do this weekend... starting with joining Made With Love birthday celebration this morning!!! wow, it was definitely great to see everyone - especially the other gals from the design team. it's been a while since we last meet and just chatted away!!! ohhh, the cupcakes at the party was too too cute to even eat. lol



and then, there's the thing that I have been putting off for a while now.... cleaning up my scrapping area!!! I really need to do that badly... and also figure out where I'm going to put everything... lol ... and here are some sneaks at what all the amazing manufactures have provided for the Creating Keepsake Dream Team.. I'm beyond speechless with their generosity and was told that this isn't everything just yet, there's a few more goodies on their way here....



and imagine, I've already got rid of a few boxes; these are packed with amazing goodies... and a top view...


thank you thank you thank you!!!

and now off to grab a bite, I've a lot in store for me tomorrow.... and do check back as I might have a giveaway or two coming soon **wink**

some random things...

its been a super long week so far and am so happy that friday is finally here (well in a few more hours) and looking forward to the weekend... especially saturday. hope some of you guys will be joining me at MWL to celebrate their 7th year anniversay - "happy birthday MWL"... I'll be helping out with the make and take sessions from 2:00 to 4:00pm, so please do stop by to say hi!

although I haven't had a chance to scrap at all this week, I do have this one layout to share that I haven't posted here yet. it's one that I did a while back for Crate Paper Sketch Challenge... and using the Snow Day collection (my fav colors at the moment yellow and teal).


this is also my first time using white paint to create the distress/vintage look on the pattern papers and really liking how it all turned out (thanks to all the inspirations out there on this technique). definitely a brighter take than the brown tone distress ink that I always use.



and a few more close ups and don't you just love that frame from melissa frances... I've been hoarding and hoarding - now just need to remember to use them - loving them!!!


supplies used include:
cardstock: american crafts; pattern paper: crate paper; metal flower, paint: making memories; alphas, brad: american crafts; chipboard elements: crate paper; flower, pearls: prima; doily sheer, trinket pins: maya road; frame: melissa frances; stamp: tuesday techniques

and a big thanks to all the wonderful peas!!! you guys are definitely the best!!!






and have you heard!!! Lily Bee is having a warehouse sale and you definitely don't want to miss out on this one... think rub-ons, think gorgeous pattern paper, think die cuts... what are you waiting for, head on over to the lily bee blog for more details.



and I'm off to grab a few hours of sleep before the day starts... all over again; at least hoping that tomorrow's meeting won't be as stressful as today's.

this monday morning...

I'm not a morning person nor a monday person! And today is no exception, other than waking up with a fever. It was a long time coming as the past few weeks have been super busy (things are picking up again at work) and with all the flights back home lately... it was just a matter of time before my body gave in.

and all I wish... is that I was back in barcelona, enjoying the days like these... (did this a while back for the previous MME sketch challenge)



having fun with a few of their collections and adding in a bit of hambly overlays for some added fun and dimensions. and finally using the "mustard seed" from tim holtz distress ink, which was perfect for outlining the yellow circles...


supplies used include:
cardstock: bazzill; pattern paper, die cut, stickers: my mind's eye; brad, foam alphas: american crafts; sticker alphas: basic grey; transparency: hambly; punch: EK success; adhesive: american crafts

well that's it for now, gotta get ready for bed. there's a long day (and week) ahead at the office and will need all the rest that I can get. Also a big thanks to everyone for all the wonderful comments and for sharing my excitement with this opportunity. a big thanks!!!

Creating Keepsakes Dream Team!!!

Have you seen, have you heard...

The Creating Keepsakes 2011 Dream Team has been announced and my name is on the list (still pinching myself - as this all is truly a dream for me). I'm truly honored and speechless to be able to contribute along side the amazing designers and to have the opportunity to work with all the wonderful people at CK (you guys are absolutely the best).

THANK YOU for this amazing opportunity Creating Keepsakes!!!

And also please join me in congratulating all the amazing ladies who are part of the CK 2011 Team!!!

2011 Contributing Writers

Manday Douglass

Mou Saha

Cindy Tobey

Denna Wuest

2011 Dream Team Members

Linda Barber

Stacy Cohen

Nicole Harper

Maggie Holmes

Joey Manwarren

Suzy Plantamura

Piradee Talvanna (that's me!!!)

Laura Vegas

Kim Watson

Susan Weinroth

A million and one thanks everyone for all your support!!! And I still can't believe it, it really seems like yesterday, I was jumping for joy that one of my layout actually got selected for publication - my first ever. Never would I have ever thought of such an opportunity as this. THANK YOU!!!

And thought I would share my first ever publication with CK (actually anywhere for that matter - thanks Nicole for idea of posting). I was surprised beyond to get an acceptance email for the layout and shocked when there were two for the same issue!! (should have bought a lottery ticket that day...lol)


as seen in Creating Keepsakes Mar/Apr 2010 Issue

as seen in Creating Keepsakes Mar/Apr 2010 Issue
Thanks again everyone!!

Lily Bee & Giveaway

sharing a few more layouts from the "a million memories" october kit... and also don't forget to stop by the Lily Bee Blog, if you are interested in winning the kit to play with! yay, michelle was super kind to sponser a kit for my blog post there. thank you and thank you again! (sorry only open to US and Canada residents)

Are you in love yet with this collection, those rub-ons and banner stickers? I know I am, head over heels!!

Thanks for stopping by guys and all your support... and do stop by later in the week, there's some exciting news that I've been dying to share!!!!

making the most of it...

thought I would share this layout that I recently did for A Million Memories, as their guest designer for this month (I know I'm abit late in posting this, given the month is almost over, but better late than never right?).

their kit this month focused on none other than the hotest collection around... Lily Bee Catching Fall (how could you ever get enough of this collection right?); and here's one of the layout that I created with their kit. this one focuses more on re-using/recycle the materials - especially those negative chipboard pieces.



using the leftover from the sassafras flower chipboard - I first painted it white, to cover up the strong, and then randomly added the blue and clear crackle paint to certain parts - to give a more shabby chic feel to the piece.



and some of my favorite bits of the kits are those flower chipboards from sassfras and the matching stickers from the lily bee catching fall collection; and don't you just love that bright orange trim that's included!



and do check out their gallery, for more inspirations with the goodies from this month kit and of course, all the other amazing work by their DT. and a very big thank you for having me as the GDT for this month guys!!!

sometimes....

you should really take time to enjoy the little things... and I really do believe that its those little things that get us through the day (especially through the tough ones - and unfortunately there's more of those days lately).

any-a-way, I did this layout for a product and sketch challenge for Magistical Memories and using the goodies from the Studio Calico August Kit and the flower stamp from another kit. I just love the stamps from their collections - a definite must have and they coordinate perfectly with their pattern papers too...



also trying out the new studio calico mist, to create the top and bottom borders of the page; using mister huey - warm calico. I love the color and also how evenly it sprays. Definitely another must have collection for me... (need all the colors!!!)



and oops, forgot to erase those pencil lines, guess you now know how I keep my titles straight... or at least try to...lol


Thanks for stopping by and all the sweet comments, you guys are the best!!

Color Combos Galore #163

I know I'm abit late in posting this, but wanted to share my layout for the current color challenge over at Color Combos Galore and also our sunday ritual (or maybe I should say dear hubby's ritual).



For this layout, I first started with my studio calico kit (July add-on Amengo), but slowly here and there, a few other things crept in... the issue paper tape from tim holtz, the little yellow bicycle journaling tag and of course... twine (one of the new colors that I just got - love it!!!). I also used one of the sketches from Pencil Line... I was hoping to post this in time for their b-day celebration, but ooops, looks as thou I missed it.



Yes, this is pretty much what we do on sunday mornings... a cup of coffee (gratefull for the nespresso machine that we got) and a dose of what's happening around Singapore. And by the time we look up from the piles of paper... well pretty much half the day has gone by... lol.



I know its been a quiet around here lately... but work is back in full swing plus a little bit more, as I'm juggle two projects this month. But hopefully everything will be back to normal next month... when its just the one project to deal with(keeping my fingers cross). lol

But thank you everyone for stopping by and all the comments and support. You guys are the BEST!

ps. if anyone is interested in more flowers, hop on over to "my goodies for sale" page, I just added a few more selections. :)

lily bee domestic bliss...

hi everyone, just a quick one to share a layout that I recently created using the domestic bliss collection from lily bee. aren't the colors just gorgeous? I really love how the black and white colors contrast against those sweet colors and the design are just stunning.. i'm in love!!!





sorry for the quick one today, but I'm just so so so tired that the moment... not sure if i'm daydream or sleepwalking at the moment... lol

having some fun with Sizzix & BG...

for this month DT assignment for made with love, we were given some sizzix dies to work with (maybe I should say we were "loaned" some sizzix dies - didn't get to keep them, although would have loved to...lol). and with these...



I created these two layouts, using mostly pattern paper from the latest basic grey collections and also finally putting some of my stamps to use. first up is this layout I created using the papers from the wander collection and the die cut is from their jovial collection (who said you can't mix a christmas collection with another... lol)



Here I used the tim holtz die to create the border for the picture and love how it contrast with the red die cut paper. Also it has been awhile since I created these flowers, but they never fail to amazing me how a bit of hand made embellishment can change the look and feel of a layout.



Over here, to add more dimension to the layout - I rubbed the helicopter image onto another piece of cardstock and trim the details before popping it up here.



Also finally putting some of my stamp to use, I used two background stamps for the images behind the pattern papers. The first was apply with grey ink and then other with a strong color, thus adding more depth of the layout.



And here's the second layout that I created using the other die; this time around I used it to accent the page.



And yes, I still am addicted to the tone on tone techiques and butterflies...lol.



Thanks for stopping by everyone and always for all the comments. I had a nice quite weekend and managed to get 4 layouts done!!! wow wee for me - I think its the most ever... and this is in addition to making dinner (something that I haven't done in awhile). Hoped everyone had a great weekend!