My perfectly imperfect home

This layout was a lesson for me in itself.

Just as I was all ready to pin the elements down after misting the kraft cardstock, the kids accidentally overturned a cup of water and paint on it. I was gonna freak out - at them and at the "ruined" layout when I thought: Hey, isn't this what a REAL home is all about - messy, unexpected, perfect simply because it's IMPERFECT.


So I told the kids it's ok, mummy knows it's an accident and it's perfectly fine - a big step in self-control for me.

And the more I look at the layout, the more I love it, because it's such a reflection of the spontaneity and randomness of everyday home life.

Supplies Used

Sizzix: Banners & Keys Set #657402
Maya Road:
Kraft Mini Tickets
Kraft Scroll Frame Journaling Tags
Wood Bingo Bird motif
Green Gingham Point Blossom
Sheer Journaling Tag
Butterflies Mini Chipboard Set - painted with MM Ruby 
Specialty Glaze and TA Copper Kettle Glimmer Glam
Bethany Mini Alphabet Chipboard Set - inked with Tsukineko Rich Cocoa Memento ink
How's the Weather Mini Chipboard Set - painted with TH Distress Crackle Paint (Picket Fence)

Others: 
Pps: American Crafts + Crate Paper
Rub-ons: American Crafts
Flower: Prima
Flair Badge: October Afternoon
Buttons: Crate Paper
Baker's Twine

Scraplift Challenge at MWL!

I've the privilege of hosting the last challenge of 2011 over at Made With Love's forum!

It's a Scraplift Challenge, and I've scraplifted one of Basic Grey's designers, Yuhko Takiguchi's layouts here. She has a beautiful simple style, do check out her projects on her blog!

This is my take on her layout:

So Singapore scrappers, come join in the fun and upload your layouts for the challenge!

Polaroid Love

I love the weekly gatherings at my in-laws' place where all the cousins come together. Our kids have a great relationship and I'm so thankful for wonderful parents-in-law and sisters-in-law. They are easy-going, fun, and extremely supportive and encouraging. 

Using mostly supplies from October Afternoon's 5&Dime and Boarding Pass collections with bits of Cherry Hill stickers. Title alphas from American Crafts. Sizzix diecuts:  Tim Holtz Alterations Sewing Room die (#657186)

Clearing the backlog....

In a blink of an eye, it's been three months since I've updated this blog! If you've just popped by, do know you're much appreciated! *hugs*

The last few months have been revolving around work, ministry and the children. In between, here're some scrapping projects I did:

A layout using October Afternoon papers and embellishments. Don't you love those rosettes! They were made with the Sizzix Mini Paper Rosettes Sizzlit Decorative Strip (#657177)

7Gypsies altered tray to be hung at my husband's new office. Using lots of Maya Road and Crate Paper goodies plus Prima flowers.

Challenge Layout for my LSS Made With Love. The challenge was to use bits and pieces from at least 6 manufacturer brands, and to have the word "HAPPY" in the title. Fabulous layouts came in for this one!

Will be working furiously on a wedding project this month... stay tuned and have a great month!

Victoria Gardens

In case you think you're seeing double, you really are. LOL. I used this photo on another layout couple months back. I wanted a "countryside" picture to go with the sweet vintage papers of Echo Park's Victoria Gardens and this was the perfect one. Sigh, everytime I see these holiday photos, and the kids' happy faces,  makes me wanna travel again. Gotta wait till my hubby settles in in his new job! Thanks for dropping by!

Supplies Used:

Sizzix Die: Corners, Flourish #2

Pps, Stickers: Echo Park (Victoria Gardens)

Frames: Melissa Frances

Flowers & Pearls: Prima

Bling: Zva Creative

Chipboard: Maya Road

Alpha Stickers: Echo Park, Making Memories

Others: Badges, EK Success Foam Dots

Pretty please, can I bring him home?

I'm sure you'd have guessed by now that I've tonnes of our UK holiday pictures printed :) Here's one taken outside a cafe at Windsor. My gal couldn't resist going up to the handsome guy and giving him a big hug!

Supplies used:

Sizzix: Tim Holtz Alterations #656626, Frames & Tag Set #656102

Pps, Embellishments, stickers: Crate Paper

Word stickers: Jillibean Soup

Alpha stickers: October Afternoon

Mist: Tattered Angels, Maya Road

Others: Baker's Twine, Staples

 

This is the one I really love...

It's not everyday that a paper collection inspires me so much that I can't wait to use it on the same day and finish a layout in under an hour. But this was what happened when I saw Echo Park's For The Record line. And I only bought 3 patterned papers and one sticker sheet to make this. Plus an assortment of my stash at home.

These photos of the Made With Love DT team were taken at a DT crop. Some of us were meeting each other for the first time {I'm a fairly new addition :)} and it was really nice to be able to laugh along while we scrapped. All these gals are real talent, I tell you, can't believe I'm on the same team as them!

Best news is: This layout won the Echo Park Paper's Facebook contest! I was just so over the moon when I saw the announcement. I had to reload the page several times to make sure that I was seeing it correctly. The prize was a collection of my choice and guess which one I chose? For the Record! (that's how much I love it!)

The stars are from the Sizzix Primitive Stars Bigz die (#656340)

Lots of Echo Park!

When Echo Park first leapt into the scrapbook market, I fell in love with their Sweet Summertime and Walk in the Park papers almost immediately. Then came the Little Girl collection, of which I got the whole set.

I was so busy in the first three months with work, ministry and settling my son in primary school that I hardly had time to scrap. I thought English and Mandarin spelling would be the worst of it all. Then I found out there was "Show and Tell" (for 6-year-olds?!) So sleep was always the first priority when there was time! When things finally settled somewhat, you could say I literally scrapped with vengence. (Plus, ahem, there were deadlines to meet for my LSS.) I took out the Echo Park papers and did this mini album of our UK road trip last year and a layout of my (not-so) little girl.

There's more to come in the next few days. I'm in the midst of completing a 12x12 album of our UK trip (too many beautiful photos so I printed most of them) and finishing some loooong overdue wedding albums.

   



Love's in the Air

Made a couple of Valentine's layouts for my LSS Made With Love . I really like the Love collection from American Crafts. Pretty without being overly pink or full of heart prints.

I dug up this photo of us taken at our church wedding about 8 years ago. Am glad I still have some of these lying around as it's nice to remember those moments where we said our vows and celebrated the start of our new life in the place where we both grew to love God in.

 Supplies Used:

Sizzix Originals Heart Frame (#655459)
Sizzix Originals Love Phrase (#656572)
 Glitter and white cardstock, Pps, Journaling & Accent Stickers,

Thickers, Slick Writer: American Crafts
Grunge Board: Tim Holtz
Glimmer Mists: Tattered Angels (Tattered Leather)
Paint: Making Memories

Don't laugh when you see this layout below. I'm obviously the colder one! Actually, my husband just took off his sweater to look 'macho' for a few minutes. This was taken at Hadrian's Wall in northern Lake District, UK. The view here was absolutely breath-taking, even amidst the gloom of the rainy day. We could have stayed there forever!

Supplies Used:

Sizzix Bigz Primitive Hearts (#656335)
Sizzlits Butterfly #12 (#656512)
 Glitter Cardstock, PPs, Buttons, Pearl Brads, Accent Sticker, Thickers: American Crafts