Mini Love Blog Hop & Giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Today we are having a cute, informal blog hop showing our love for mini books.  It all started with Sam who made a mini book and decided to get a few girlies from Instagram to join her in making one also for this blog hop.  There was no set theme for the mini's.  Instead, we all worked with a few prompts to get us started.  The three prompts were:

1. Use white card stock as background

2. Use numbers for the inside pages

3. Use a ring to bind the mini album

We are so excited to see everyone's take on making an album in their own style.

Oh, and BTW!  We will have a mini giveaway from each blog also!  Hop to each blog and leave a comment for a chance to win by Sunday, Feb 16!  Winners will be chosen and announced on Monday, Feb 17!  Easy peasy! :)

Here's the list for blog hop:

WaiSam Ho

April Joy Hill

Cathy Vee

Evelin Tee

Piradee Talvanna

 --------------------------------------------------

And here's my take on the challenge...

I opted to create a little mini for my little one, celebrating her third month (January); capturing all the little memories, her achievements and documenting the little reminders. I used mostly pattern papers and embellishments (stickers and transparencies) from Crate Paper Love Notes collection, some gold rub-ons from the new Maggie Holmes collection and last but not least, some awesome cork die cuts from my friend Sam (do check out her shop for even more great designs and plus she's having a promotion at the moment too).

Not only am I addicted to anything gold at the moment, but also transparencies and vellum. I just love how you can layer these to create a different look/effect from page to page. For the cover, I used an overlay/transparencies which gives you a sneak of the pages behind and don't you just love that "3" wood veneer from Studio Calico. And that January card that you see there, it's created by the lovely April and she's sharing them on her blog here. Her work is amazing!

I also created some vellum pockets. Not only would I be able to put just about anything but once again , loving that semi-transparency look. (It's an addiction)



Also to create more variations among the pages, I put my cameo to work and cut a few die cut pages (used this adorable quote die cut file)and more cork goodies!





and here's a snapshot of all the front facing pages...



and those on the backside...



And what's a blog hop without a giveaway right? I've got an extra set of the cork embellishments to giveaway along with a few sheets of mini alphabets that I used in my mini (these are from Lily Bee - love), some sweet twine, transparency embellishments and a mix of embellishments and stickers. Just leave a comment on this blog post by Sunday Feb 16th.



Thanks for hoping along with us and wishing you a very HAPPY (belated) VALENTINE DAY!

PL 2014 :: Week 1 - Loving this year!

Back to share my project life spread that I created with Cocoa Daisy Day In A Life Kit, although the kit is more loved theme (perfect for this month) but for me, it was the perfect kit to kick start the year with. We were very lucky to have hubby's parents visit us during the holidays from Belgium and then my high school buddies flew over (from Bangkok) for the night to see little Sophia. That title card (below) pretty much says it all.

For this year PL, I decided to go with a slightly bigger size album/page 8.5" x 11" and actually do love it more than the handbook size as I can also include the full size (being 8.5" x11") layouts. And yes, I'm not over gold yet, you'll definitely be seeing lots more of it cause I've been buying up all the gold embellishments that I can find.. 

And it just amazes me just how much she is growing day by day... my little sweet sophia.

Thanks guys for stopping by. The day in the life kit is already sold out at Cocoa Daisy, but definitely recommend their kits. Lots of fun goodies and the quality of these cards are great too!

Love "Color Swatch" Kit from Cocoa Daisy

happy 2014 everyone!  I know I'm pretty late in wishing everyone the new year, but the year so far has been a good busy crazy one (if that makes sense). little sophia has been keeping us busy but in a good way and it's just amazing how fast she is growing. she'll be 4 months on Feb 1st. already right?

also I had the opportunity to guest design for Cocoa Daisy this month using their amazing February kits and loved everything. especially that exclusive pattern paper from their Color Swatch kit (I couldn't stop using it on all the layouts). and still can't believe this amazing opportunity - thanks so much Christine & Emily!



using a mix of products from the main kit Color Swatch and papers from add-on Palette. also adding some stamping details using the Colorful Life Stamp Set...



and for this fun layout of me and sophia, most of the products are from the main kit with one of the pattern paper used from palette. I went for a more contrasting look on this layout - mix the soft pastel colors with the striking black colors. honestly wasn't sure how this would turn out, but loved it!





and again the fun color mix with a simple and clean layout...





thanks for stopping by everyone and do check back soon as I also did a PL spread with the kits and don't forget to stop by Cocoa Daisy for amazing inspirations from their design team and grab a kit or two. :)

Christmas Joy

Sharing some cards that I created earlier this month for Maya Road DT blog (full details here), using some yummy chipboard pieces, vintage measure tape, wooden bingo bits, paper twine and transparencies... and my selected colors for this christmas... gold and pink (hot pink)!



Loving these blank wooden bingo bits that you can color anyway you like...



and the snowflake transparencies... these work like a charm against the kraft cardstock/background...



and of course, more paper twine. I'm addicted to these now and almost on all my projects I find a way to incorporate these in...



Thanks for stopping by.... and happy holidays!

Food Food Food!

Honestly that's all I can think of now a days. For some reason I'm always hungry, even right after a huge meal. It's absolutely crazy. I blame it on the breastfeeding and I truly hope that's the cause otherwise there goes my excuse for not losing those extra weight. LOL

Sharing a layout that I created earlier in the year for the latest CK Mix Media Vol 2 edition.  Here I had some fun altering wood veneer using an ink pad. Love how you can control the amount of ink to be applied and where (unlike misting - harder) and thus creating different shading effect on the embellishments. On another note, I think this is my last layout to be published with Creating Keepsake and what an amazing journey it has been working with all the wonderful ladies at CK (will save the details for another post).



I used an ink pad to apply the ink onto the bubble speech wood veneer embellishments which allowed me more control on the amount of ink. Therefore was able to create some dimensional effect /create variation. To be honest, I usually either mist these or leave them as is and therefore was fun to experiment with other mediums (another fun option would be to use watercolor).



And more close ups... using Crate Paper DIY collection, Studio Calico Wood Veneer and Hero Arts Stamps.



Thanks for stopping by and hoping you guys are having a great weekend so far!

missing those weekend trips...

hi there...

was just doing some re-arranging of files and came across this layout that I created for publication in Creating Keepsake earlier this year and couldn't help sharing it here also. it's been so long since hubby and I hoped on a plane for a weekend trip (wonder if I might be due to the fact that I was pregnant and also had a few business trips this past year). either way, I'm so looking forward to more weekends trips (well might have to extend for a few days now since we'll have little Sophia joining us).



created this page about my two favorite things ... travel and food. I always love trying new things (although can't say that I love everything that I try, but at least I try right?) and part of the assignment was to include some memorabilia from the trip and what better than the tickets stubs or luggage tags... it has all the details you need to remember when, what, where and how. as for why, well isn't it obvious... food!



this also happens to be one of my favorite layout from this year... I was really surprised at how everything all came together... the contrast between black and white (background) and the variation of shapes (speech bubbles and circles). this is definitely a layout design that I'll be doing over and over again...



using crate paper DIY shop collection and technique tuesday stamps....



thanks for stopping by everyone and hope you guys had a fun weekend (I know I did, but not sure if that would be the same feeling once the credit card bill comes... may have shopped a little bit too much this black friday and to think, I'm not even in the states. can't imagine how bad it would be if I was.  hhehheeee what else is a girl suppose to do... shop and scrap, right?)

Some Maya Road Love

Hi Everyone.

Got two projects to share today. These were layouts that I had created for Maya Road CHA Summer booth, using their latest products (then). On the first one here, there's the larger size chipboard frames, super cute bicycle clip and more new trinket pins (a must have for me).



And of course, couldn't resist layering upon layering all the fun embellishments. Just love the wide selections of embellishments that are available.  Also the idea behind this layout, was to use embellishments (in this case lots of kraft townhouses) to create my own pattern paper (in a sense).



For my second layout, the inspiration for this came from the pattern papers/collection itself (Simple Stories Vintage Bliss Collection) and I ended up creating series of coordinating embellishment clusters. Also having tons of fun with the paper twine; if you haven't tried these, would recommend as they have just the right stiffness to bend into the shape that you need but still have that ribbon look/feel.



And of course, what's chipboards without a bit of glossy accents!



More details and don't you love that camera charm (Maya Road).



Thanks for stopping by!

Webster's Pages Christmas Card Blog Hop

Hi Everyone,

Hope you guys are enjoying all the Christmas Cheer so far. You should be arriving from Iris's blog (Thanks Iris for the sweet card and a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!); if not do stop by the Webster's Pages blog for the full list as you'll want to stop by everyone's blog for chances at some awesome Christmas goodies. And for my Christmas card, I've got a little something for an amazing fellow design team member...

Dear Erin...



... and a very Happy New Year 2014!    xoxo

For my card, I used the "It's Christmas"collection by Allison Kreft. I had a fun time looking through the collection, trying to decide which paper and embellishment to use (it just wasn't possible to put the entire collection on the card).  And definitely one of my favorite embellishment in this collection is the awesome overlay; loving especially this black card overlay. As for papers, well need I say... the North Pole pattern paper design pretty much sums up Christmas for me.



And since it's Christmas (well almost), there are chances to win a Webster's Page Christmas Prize Pack scattered all around. They could be anywhere so do leave us a comment on any or all posts in the hop for a merry chance; winners will be announced on the 22nd.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and joining our Christmas Card Blog Hop; hoped you guys had fun and merry time (and of course also some inspirations for the latest Christmas collections).

.... and don't forget to hop on back to Webster's Pages Blog to leave a comment there if you haven't already!

Introducing Sophia Patravadee Simoens

If I were to describe how I feel at the moment, it would be "speechless". Since the beginning of this month (a journey that seems to have last forever - ie. the past 9 months), I find myself  starring at this little face and being overwhelmed with joy. She truly is an angel and honestly, I think she's helping us in every way adapt to the changes - so grateful that she's not fussy and is helping mummy be a mummy.

Introducing little Sophia Patravadee Simoens...







(created using the gorgeous Crate Paper Flea Market Collection)

Thanks everyone for stopping by and hanging around even thou I haven't been updating that much here. Finally got my scrapping mojo back, along with tons of new pictures to scrap and share!

Webster's Pages : Family Traditions

Hi Everyone!

I know it has been super quiet around here again but in between work (yes working again for a few more weeks) and the little one inside, I haven't been scrapping that much. Any spare minute is spent sleeping instead! I can't believe how tired I feel all the time and not to mention the humongous belly, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

But when I do have a chance to scrap a bit.. well can't resist sharing with everyone. So hop on over to Webster's Pages (if you haven't already) cause this layout is up on their blog today along with a fun give away.



I had tons of fun working with WP newest collection "Family Tradition" and just love how this layout turned out, honestly I started with a different design in mind (and it's amazing sometimes what you end up with - just let your creativity flow).  And also here's some close ups on some of the elements on the page - you're going to love all the cute little designs this collection has to offer (and not to mention the awesome combination of colors).





Thanks for stopping by everyone and don't forget to stop by Webster's Pages blog for the full details on the give away!