tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31234951447174158602024-03-05T12:34:41.828-08:00~ February Lane ~ Handmade cards, digital stamps, digital paper and many more ~Feby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-89692421979975375222010-09-07T06:42:00.000-07:002010-09-07T07:20:39.587-07:00Each Passing Year is Another Journey Travelled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoMSkuG2mtNrow_1A4ywrV-ImM3fviTdTDyp7maLOzNKCpWyCnm_Ye4bWrFUu6AxYtUIe1IpeIDWBUepgs5xjavbyf0HMaqLmHrCtIb9jPi-eFECVCWzIHhu9QOIcmtkoyVfYzPVog1bG/s1600/Bike01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpoMSkuG2mtNrow_1A4ywrV-ImM3fviTdTDyp7maLOzNKCpWyCnm_Ye4bWrFUu6AxYtUIe1IpeIDWBUepgs5xjavbyf0HMaqLmHrCtIb9jPi-eFECVCWzIHhu9QOIcmtkoyVfYzPVog1bG/s400/Bike01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514168768716290146" border="0" /></a><br />Hi everyone, hope all of you is enjoying the week so far.<br /><br />I'll be flying back to Indonesia on Thursday evening as it's Eid ul-Fitr (which translates to lots and lots of yummy food for the whole weekend, wooohooo!!!), so I thought I'd publish another post tonight.<br /><br />Today's card is a card for my brother in law's birthday, which falls sometime this week--I've already mailed out this card a couple of days ago but I'm quite certain that's it's gonna reach him late! Oooopsss, my bad!<br /><br />Anyway, here's the card using Card Pattern's <a href="http://cardpatterns.blogspot.com/2010/09/sketch-80.html">Sketch 80</a>. Not sure that the pattern is 100% as sketched, as it turned out that the bicycle image was too wide for a rectangular card T_T.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UlyP9jdFrfv8tGX3ss_aOWv5UlmwMhI9Va-TZ1uSg16ypl0kK2FD9yGr35x6oB9zpZgMsL_qLTeTjEWsj_nfuJMjWrHpxXmYqgbpWEPp3xLaBjqABgp4iUumB4OtAqaR8CpokhPzQ7zR/s1600/Bike03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0UlyP9jdFrfv8tGX3ss_aOWv5UlmwMhI9Va-TZ1uSg16ypl0kK2FD9yGr35x6oB9zpZgMsL_qLTeTjEWsj_nfuJMjWrHpxXmYqgbpWEPp3xLaBjqABgp4iUumB4OtAqaR8CpokhPzQ7zR/s400/Bike03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514168892573440114" border="0" /></a><br />My brother in law loves cycling, so choosing the bicycle image as the topper was not a hard choice :). I created this bike silhouette digistamp from an image from <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/browse.phtml?f=view&id=1023619">Modish at SXC</a>.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS9oyeKUbPYElX1adsNo3u__k8N5V78NI8dZDbXUxNVwL6-9sBpfwosoNHdAuaU-KzcdoRhICEZdt1NF0S9MWxQ4YrwT_LuJDNHQQE8uXZswzC2omrZA3uSkzjyQw3U6SbLjglo2KG2uI/s1600/Bike02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAS9oyeKUbPYElX1adsNo3u__k8N5V78NI8dZDbXUxNVwL6-9sBpfwosoNHdAuaU-KzcdoRhICEZdt1NF0S9MWxQ4YrwT_LuJDNHQQE8uXZswzC2omrZA3uSkzjyQw3U6SbLjglo2KG2uI/s400/Bike02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514168996401542962" border="0" /></a><br />The cardstock and patterned paper I used were <a href="http://www.shopsei.com/">SEI</a>'s Oasis range; it's definitely one of my favorites although I think they might have discontinued this range :(.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvi-RPJzyCjx-mY0Qst7FsihtGrg9yda4Z62u5bHpgVdCJkAmkgUwQHb82hS5PPNRfuZtMkRzeskHNf8U0A7uSISJcnh6P6ygvShovTP5G9T73bGAe9NdOOmTx-66QjRU8BWbBTqtaQYq/s1600/Bike04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvi-RPJzyCjx-mY0Qst7FsihtGrg9yda4Z62u5bHpgVdCJkAmkgUwQHb82hS5PPNRfuZtMkRzeskHNf8U0A7uSISJcnh6P6ygvShovTP5G9T73bGAe9NdOOmTx-66QjRU8BWbBTqtaQYq/s400/Bike04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514169064722248402" border="0" /></a><br />As an embellishment, I printed a verse on kraft paper and adhered it to a punched scalloped circle cardstock (cut by my new <a href="http://www.marvy.com/">Marvy Uchida Scalloped Circle Punch</a>). Font credit goes to Kevin and Amanda's <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts/freescrapbookfonts/">Free Scrapbook Fonts</a>.<br /><br />I'm submitting this cards to these following challenges too: <a href="http://citycrafter.blogspot.com/2010/09/cccb-week-21-one-for-boys.html">CCCB Week 21</a> (One for the Boys, using the color blue), <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(7, 55, 99);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span></i>Paper <a href="http://papercutzchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/09/paper-cutz-challenge-57.html">Cutz Challenge #57</a> (1 ribbon, 2 button, and 3 colors--blue, brown and cream), and also enrolling them for the second time at <a href="http://bee-crafty.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-37-anything-goes-winner-of-ch.html">Bee Crafty's Anything Goes</a> (with digi-image), <a href="http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-16-anything-goes.html">Daisy Doodles Creative Challenge's Anything Goes</a>, and <a href="http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/write-me-messagechallenge-23.html">Digi Doodle Shop's Best Challenge</a> (Write Me a Message).<br /><br />Okay people... Gotta go now, got some packing to do :). Hope you enjoy the rest of the week and keep an eye out for my next post 'cos I may be posting loads of photos of oh-so-yummy food!<br /><br />Cheerios!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-30471473054752764472010-09-05T04:31:00.000-07:002010-09-07T06:41:40.047-07:00New House! - Set of 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cSloRoo5SMfVTPDMuI6sH-au6mYvmqLpOZwuREPKeReaMzqp3yJZCCmnvoUvq-YWQxqQI6k7nlBPOpg4sJ32MRQNkAmWRVCYq9NzTHilxiDwh2SM2CXVmJcFfaLzOpGK-icJbK39PwfQ/s1600/NewHome04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cSloRoo5SMfVTPDMuI6sH-au6mYvmqLpOZwuREPKeReaMzqp3yJZCCmnvoUvq-YWQxqQI6k7nlBPOpg4sJ32MRQNkAmWRVCYq9NzTHilxiDwh2SM2CXVmJcFfaLzOpGK-icJbK39PwfQ/s400/NewHome04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513391488852723138" border="0" /></a><br />Hi people, enjoying the weekend so far?<br /><br />I've been meaning to make these cards ever since my husband and I moved into our new house, but welllll... being me, I've only gotten around to make them today ^_^. I made a set of house-themed digistamps to 'celebrate' moving in to this house and I thought I'd make a set of 'change of address' cards.<br /><br />So here they are, using <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/09/reader-ideas-week-of-952010.html">CPS #183 sketch</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutyMnahTzKXFuL28hyphenhyphenVECXw87CKS84r8lULioENVPRk-tUsApL3AsTCQwfo5pID3zPSJd7bO2ftcgxPZqLYHgNsoDPf0L69NECeYvTSaDV2HzdGzOyiUic1wc5s1H1nIg3ocM9xcly9K2/s1600/NewHome05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutyMnahTzKXFuL28hyphenhyphenVECXw87CKS84r8lULioENVPRk-tUsApL3AsTCQwfo5pID3zPSJd7bO2ftcgxPZqLYHgNsoDPf0L69NECeYvTSaDV2HzdGzOyiUic1wc5s1H1nIg3ocM9xcly9K2/s400/NewHome05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513392222511494514" border="0" /></a><br />These cute cards are so quick and easy to make, especially with my <a href="http://www.woodware.co.uk/products_display01.php?category=Punches">Woodware craft punches</a>. Gone are the days of painstakingly cutting circles with scalloped scissors! :) The cardstock I used were plain colored 160 gsm office supply papers, patterned paper is <a href="http://www.diecutswithaview.com/">DCWV</a>'s The Spring Stack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3wxjyQIvVxQTjG6kJNhVLFll72LqhOv0QSFiRW0g2VNG_08TcONTtqcCMxPCTTQOKQ7tga5_P-mE61F4pPrkhg_1ba4Z46kmVrTv3NjRPDF-pYq8Idg4C3fS9aDL1RFYBRnumYv7z1H9/s1600/NewHome03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3wxjyQIvVxQTjG6kJNhVLFll72LqhOv0QSFiRW0g2VNG_08TcONTtqcCMxPCTTQOKQ7tga5_P-mE61F4pPrkhg_1ba4Z46kmVrTv3NjRPDF-pYq8Idg4C3fS9aDL1RFYBRnumYv7z1H9/s400/NewHome03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513392115107663954" border="0" /></a>I colored the digis using watercolor pencils. I quite enjoy using pencils to color stamped images; I think it's easier to fix when I make mistakes. I can actually erase and recolor some parts of the image, like what I did on these three images :D.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiJwPI1L3Nd_yfcQC9JVrh9s6ots4f5S_TiScjolgwWZyJTtdQo8QsJWdCTp-pSoaoNgporakNasnLOgNhGgsvhNWwFvIFqi95zSgJH1pYceaVs9GUgninLh643KMsiiHux4jMN5iRXUS/s1600/NewHome01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiJwPI1L3Nd_yfcQC9JVrh9s6ots4f5S_TiScjolgwWZyJTtdQo8QsJWdCTp-pSoaoNgporakNasnLOgNhGgsvhNWwFvIFqi95zSgJH1pYceaVs9GUgninLh643KMsiiHux4jMN5iRXUS/s400/NewHome01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513391969404962034" border="0" /></a>On top of the CPS blog, I'm also submitting these cuties to Stamp Something's <a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/09/something-cute-challenge.html">Something Cute Challenge</a>, Digi Doodle Shop's Best <a href="http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2010/09/write-me-messagechallenge-23.html">Write Me a Message</a> Challenge, as well as Bee Crafty's <a href="http://bee-crafty.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-37-anything-goes-winner-of-ch.html">Anything Goes</a> challenge (have to use digital image, though), and Daisy Doodles Creative Challenges <a href="http://daisydoodlescreativechallenges.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-16-anything-goes.html">Anything Goes</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfLUoQht6mF4MWK8fIeoe4e9V-jJ_xi1U4_XFBt8A-NvL1G6HQR1Z7G7eZFCVNxTXEFHER6KYsk4tBDEpXJDyAI1Vww2ZFn2bRByZqoiy9NxAOZy4OBF2W-PXy2VjmD6U7BTr8y6IUO5C/s1600/NewHome02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfLUoQht6mF4MWK8fIeoe4e9V-jJ_xi1U4_XFBt8A-NvL1G6HQR1Z7G7eZFCVNxTXEFHER6KYsk4tBDEpXJDyAI1Vww2ZFn2bRByZqoiy9NxAOZy4OBF2W-PXy2VjmD6U7BTr8y6IUO5C/s400/NewHome02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513392337583217074" border="0" /></a>That's all for today's post, but I promise I'll be back early next week with another card that I made for my brother in law :D.<br /><br />Thanks for visiting and enjoy the rest of your weekend!<br /><br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-61540703029913616752010-08-29T03:29:00.001-07:002010-08-29T22:49:38.704-07:00Dressed For Success :)<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObzQOeD6PWJ5Ij9_ImRYRkiEzWTuFZv5eIxR4E44-XrzjX1EhRtqwC6sbbOJlbhFgOYEZmeREQo-PY9lYL5riiuC1NHIknuhPpy4V9VIofR1NuZMSrKv0AhkQYGS2a8ZfLQnxdCpQvAu7/s1600/Dressy01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObzQOeD6PWJ5Ij9_ImRYRkiEzWTuFZv5eIxR4E44-XrzjX1EhRtqwC6sbbOJlbhFgOYEZmeREQo-PY9lYL5riiuC1NHIknuhPpy4V9VIofR1NuZMSrKv0AhkQYGS2a8ZfLQnxdCpQvAu7/s400/Dressy01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510777184151184962" border="0" /></a>Hi again :)!<br /><br />Since I haven't posted anything in four weeks, I thought I may as well publish two posts in a day now, LOL!<br /><br />Anyway, one of my colleagues who also happens to be a dear friend of mine is leaving next week :(. Yes, it's very sad for me as she's very, very funny and she keeps our office alive (and makes those dreadful workday afternoons bearable, LOL), but I'm also happy for her as she's making a move into her own business :).<br /><br />Anyway, I made her this card to go with her farewell gift (and again keeping my fingers crossed that she does not see this post until I gave her the card, LOL), using <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/08/reader-ideas-week-of-8292010.html">Sketch #182</a> from the Card Positioning Systems Blog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQhuOabhJ7Q_HuVrWgZ13ISrbeG6ipCvgX5Kwt7n0vr3-7QzfzE15FDG29TLkA_Hweh90QxCpNAhMPb97wBl3CZrHJvnDVakXzTazKnBs72RQTmRg730DO8oEVO1135BygkEbOCWpcO2R/s1600/Dressy02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQhuOabhJ7Q_HuVrWgZ13ISrbeG6ipCvgX5Kwt7n0vr3-7QzfzE15FDG29TLkA_Hweh90QxCpNAhMPb97wBl3CZrHJvnDVakXzTazKnBs72RQTmRg730DO8oEVO1135BygkEbOCWpcO2R/s400/Dressy02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510777273847519810" border="0" /></a>I made the digistamp of a party dress a while back, which I thought goes quite well with the theme; wishing my friend all the best of success in the future :). To give the dress a fabric-looking effect, I printed one image onto a white paper, another on a <a href="http://www.qbaroo.com/shopsei/largeImage.cfm?heading=0&cat=8&sub=361&product=2915">SEI Juliette Lady's Boudoir</a> pearl paper, and another on a plain gray paper that I smeared with silver glitter glue. I pieced the three layers together and voila! A glitzy, girly and glamorous party dress :). Simon Says Challenge Blog has their <a href="http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/simon-says-paper-piecing.html">Paper Piecing Challenge</a> this week, therefore I'm entering this card to the pool too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRgdhte3NSPAcL0ComsVANrLqMGFURyNzIzhIxzOYgvKW9X0jp88JQljkj9Ze9U2JGCv-z7X1QPfqFZY1fHzvgJVYhzo_sm7tz4_EAArbdibTfNc1ziiKngkP904VI_PEHjzTqn5O1Jp5/s1600/Dressy03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRgdhte3NSPAcL0ComsVANrLqMGFURyNzIzhIxzOYgvKW9X0jp88JQljkj9Ze9U2JGCv-z7X1QPfqFZY1fHzvgJVYhzo_sm7tz4_EAArbdibTfNc1ziiKngkP904VI_PEHjzTqn5O1Jp5/s400/Dressy03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510777408517272754" border="0" /></a><br />I made and printed the sentiments "Dressed for Success" on a normal printer paper; font credit goes to Kevin and Amanda at <a href="http://www.kevinandamanda.com/fonts">Free Scrapbook Fonts</a>. The rose I used for the embellishment was made from off-white flannel. Lastly, I'm posting this card to Bee Crafty's <a href="http://bee-crafty.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-37-anything-goes-winner-of-ch.html">Anything Goes</a> challenge, that requires the use of a digi image; as well as Stamptacular Sunday's Challenge <a href="http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/challenge-74-pretty-in-pink.html">Pretty in Pink</a>. Aly's Sunday Challenge has the <a href="http://alyssundaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/08/as24-pretty-in-pink-sponsored-by-spesch.html">pretty in pink theme</a> too, which makes it super convenient for me ^_^<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPmZPZGpmglc_QPsTpvGtSyEbCTxjMxzbCjhlzXn3bMPzz6lDYqbKrlddpZcJIVpWALxt4y8lTJoy8el_XPsJgOO6gh-KAFmfETnmlAdxzoxSuay7_TiqXYfTk94ZHGFyFzeqC7_3BqGA/s1600/Dressy04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPmZPZGpmglc_QPsTpvGtSyEbCTxjMxzbCjhlzXn3bMPzz6lDYqbKrlddpZcJIVpWALxt4y8lTJoy8el_XPsJgOO6gh-KAFmfETnmlAdxzoxSuay7_TiqXYfTk94ZHGFyFzeqC7_3BqGA/s400/Dressy04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510777585309862802" border="0" /></a><br />Well that's all for today... I still have some more cards to make this week but more on that later :). Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thanks for viewing!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-67444183212360150792010-08-29T02:05:00.000-07:002010-08-29T03:25:27.054-07:00Back from Hibernation.. and Welcomed by an Award! ^_^Helllooooo everyone... It sure is great to be back in bloggerland!<br /><br />It has been exactly four weeks since my last blog post and I really, really miss making cards, but I literally have been lost amongst a sea of boxes at my new house :). I can't believe it had taken me more than three weeks to sort out my work space with the amount of paper scraps and many other bits and bobs, but thankfully it's all done and now I have a bigger study-cum-studio for all my crafting endeavors! Yayyy!<br /><br />Last week I got a nice, wonderful surprise from fellow blogger-slash-cardmaker <a href="http://huhsothisisablog.blogspot.com/">Jan R</a>, who has so kindly awarded me with the "Cherry On Top" Award.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kkbLC2pWj9QljF6v9bQOgohtO_ReGuPROV5bys5Os6QwmMfhIW9MqthzV4FAzhSU46a-8aUaDbKnZsGVAfczvRbLOEklEe-VhK4YZmz0dzWDm0RpOQSxOY633J_0Prdkq3EH5usxKq_8/s1600/cherry_on_top_award.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kkbLC2pWj9QljF6v9bQOgohtO_ReGuPROV5bys5Os6QwmMfhIW9MqthzV4FAzhSU46a-8aUaDbKnZsGVAfczvRbLOEklEe-VhK4YZmz0dzWDm0RpOQSxOY633J_0Prdkq3EH5usxKq_8/s400/cherry_on_top_award.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510757951296897474" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you very much for the award, Jan, and also for your kind comments on my blog ^_^!!<br /><br />This award has some conditions, however, which are:<br /><br />1. Thank the person who gave you the award... DONE!<br />2. Add it to your blog... DONE!<br />3. List 3 things about yourself:<br /> - I have an odd, inexplicable fondness of clothes hangers. I use them to hang anything just about anywhere in my house and I could not resist going to a home appliances shop without buying at least ten new plastic hangers every single time. Oh, and I just HAVE TO hang all of them facing the same direction in the closet. Otherwise, I won't sleep soundly at night.<br />- In pretty much the same way, I have a strange paranoia for geckos a.k.a house lizards. This goes to the extent where I would not step into a room where I suspect one is present.<br />- I don't like watching movies at home because I have a very, very short attention span. I can only watch proper films in a cinema because it requires me to SIT DOWN for the entire duration, and when I'm at home, I can only watch a 45-minute TV series at the max.<br /><br />4. Post your favorite pic:<br />This is a difficult choice. I guess I'll just have to post two of my recent favorites:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxnQR-ZXGWfiMrsfqHeZykBTN27fhWHHGbyzWICEpooRJ9G1CXpi3Z-2iLuBVoGcSrOqfEpZdSUd2SZ91XbDfCWiLQg5l-bDF2MmelpmWiL6IS2lPKblhnwH6P2qCv8LVeupRdTCcL6dX/s1600/a.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxnQR-ZXGWfiMrsfqHeZykBTN27fhWHHGbyzWICEpooRJ9G1CXpi3Z-2iLuBVoGcSrOqfEpZdSUd2SZ91XbDfCWiLQg5l-bDF2MmelpmWiL6IS2lPKblhnwH6P2qCv8LVeupRdTCcL6dX/s400/a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510762068801972770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">A photo of the Golden Temple I took in Kyoto, Japan<br /></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcJRXd66YeFKaNfc9wHPMPqmlsNPWDCBYw7RSegk9I3CCZQZu1DTbm4Vq4xlBSN7601-Sp0X5CJF9sz592ionNQEDAkTCdEUULpuCsh-4vvqE3Kvp_cY6CYRt1LMi3YsYLXhF5Z9MogKf/s1600/b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcJRXd66YeFKaNfc9wHPMPqmlsNPWDCBYw7RSegk9I3CCZQZu1DTbm4Vq4xlBSN7601-Sp0X5CJF9sz592ionNQEDAkTCdEUULpuCsh-4vvqE3Kvp_cY6CYRt1LMi3YsYLXhF5Z9MogKf/s400/b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510762321410741314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Chocolate-coated strawberries I snapped at a Godiva Chocolatier Shop in Brussels, Belgium</span><br /></div><br />5. Send the award to 5 people-- I think these five following bloggers deserve this "Cherry On Top" Award:<br /><br />1. Agustina at <a href="http://ayhandcraft.blogspot.com/">Made with Love</a>: Agustina's cards are beautiful, but her blog I love even more! It has a pretty wind-chime on the page and it's all pink and lovely :). She also posts other crafts on her blog, not only cards, so it's a plus!<br />2. Dwita at <a href="http://paperunique.blogspot.com/">Crafter's Life</a>: Dwita's cards are cute and fab, and she holds craft courses on making Bookmarks and Washi Dolls too!<br />3. Addii at <a href="http://addii-addii.blogspot.com/">Addii</a>: Addii is such a creative cardmaker and she always actively participates in various cardmaking challenges!<br />4. Monika at <a href="http://creativewithmonika.blogspot.com/">Creative with Monika</a>: Monika is an avid stamper and a very, very prolific cardmaker although she's a busy mum of two! Her cards are cute and gorgeous!<br />5. Ayu at <a href="http://afayoune.blogspot.com/">Ayu's Projects</a>: Ayu's cards are very cute, and once in a while Ayu gives away her super cute hand-made digistamps, which I love! <br /><br />Thanks again for Jan and much love for everyone! Thanks for visiting!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-86805100671161785852010-08-01T03:45:00.000-07:002010-08-04T07:50:59.832-07:00Happy Birthday Dad! (And A Discount Coupon for All of You!!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPKKYkW81wfijxJm6voSs9N8MsaJLDzkpr7IvLKpuJWjvpnwoaIsH6u-cOSSxOOdsWnC1YZXZucnAeX4oDmxqauchv3P2vEfctg8gS9FdiIY06dVfqQbYEQHru5uSJ-GCX00qSg_c-YHX/s1600/DadsBirthdayCard04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPKKYkW81wfijxJm6voSs9N8MsaJLDzkpr7IvLKpuJWjvpnwoaIsH6u-cOSSxOOdsWnC1YZXZucnAeX4oDmxqauchv3P2vEfctg8gS9FdiIY06dVfqQbYEQHru5uSJ-GCX00qSg_c-YHX/s400/DadsBirthdayCard04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500394923225890194" border="0" /></a><br />Hi there!<br /><br />Well, two birthday cards down last week, three more to go :). Next week will be the last week before we have to move house though, so with all the bits and bobs we have yet to pack, I don't know whether I'd be able to finish and mail all the cards in time :(.<br /><br />Anyway, in the midst of folding and packing a sea of clothes while listening to Jason Mraz's I'm Yours - Remix (trust me, this song really makes any kind of house chores more enjoyable--albeit slower as I'd dance like fifty per cent of the time!), I managed to squeeze in making one more birthday card for my beloved dad.<br /><br />I haven't submitted any cards to the CPS blog for the past two weeks, so this week I played along with their sketch <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/07/reader-ideas-week-of-812010.html">#178 Challenge</a> :). I loved their sketch this week; very clean and simple, so I'm also submitting it to the <a href="http://ssdschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/challengecas.html">Stamp, Scrap & Doodle Saturday Blog challenge</a>--their theme for this week happens to be clean and simple as well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGhjCLBZjyVmamjXPXIs0-wqYmzbRkTik1cQd1o0_EgKVo3run28MvfixqRQBZTr8XZUX8voL5P-Q4yXnxbRORsepSg15vPZ7xVrq7wqMgG6PQWzl4YHPCbju3Lq2pY8MMjLdpK_Sb0wb/s1600/DadsBirthdayCard03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGhjCLBZjyVmamjXPXIs0-wqYmzbRkTik1cQd1o0_EgKVo3run28MvfixqRQBZTr8XZUX8voL5P-Q4yXnxbRORsepSg15vPZ7xVrq7wqMgG6PQWzl4YHPCbju3Lq2pY8MMjLdpK_Sb0wb/s400/DadsBirthdayCard03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500394527030384098" border="0" /></a>I managed to create AND finish a digital paper kit on Saturday, which is very, very fast by my standards :), so I got to use it for today's card. I have yet to find a suitable name for the kit, though, LOL. I also used a digital stamp of a tree for the topper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfH1Sl3HevruqzgZEcBBklOsItAhOrOPhj9R1pzC4dM4uTK58Q7HIzFaGBBNrv2AjqIQOCIhvDgw8lyRy2_X5ooaSPHt7hyphenhyphenrl3x4xmSjK0N8HcL29rjfoBu0vPC3vvs2gc-4oQeGL7AYZ/s1600/DadsBirthdayCard02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfH1Sl3HevruqzgZEcBBklOsItAhOrOPhj9R1pzC4dM4uTK58Q7HIzFaGBBNrv2AjqIQOCIhvDgw8lyRy2_X5ooaSPHt7hyphenhyphenrl3x4xmSjK0N8HcL29rjfoBu0vPC3vvs2gc-4oQeGL7AYZ/s400/DadsBirthdayCard02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500392802040744370" border="0" /></a><br />The interesting part of this card is the embellishment; I used three wooden-carved letters to form the word "DAD". I bought these wooden letters from a local craft shop a few months back, and I've actually forgotten that I'd bought them. Luckily I found them amongst my pile of paper scraps when I was making this card, LOL.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGePNAKaWVhzsmnPGL9-zEUM2VIPhxa0on-cQTmf71Vk5ORayLBBvVjkdxDGMqP9V_OJIc1stBkEIEZ4p_odlpL-08QKAF5fYz-gxZc1cNoLoD4PHWeC0o_wkvn2qG3Szsm0VwwVscp2sF/s1600/DadsBirthdayCard01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGePNAKaWVhzsmnPGL9-zEUM2VIPhxa0on-cQTmf71Vk5ORayLBBvVjkdxDGMqP9V_OJIc1stBkEIEZ4p_odlpL-08QKAF5fYz-gxZc1cNoLoD4PHWeC0o_wkvn2qG3Szsm0VwwVscp2sF/s400/DadsBirthdayCard01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500392604900836338" border="0" /></a><br />Now on to the discount coupon!!<br /><br />Since my dad's birthday's coming up, I want to celebrate it by sharing a little joy with everybody :). If you have a special man in your life that you'd like to give a present to, now is the perfect time!<br /><br />Hop on to <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Brookstone Online Store</span> today for a wide selection of unique, thoughtful <a href="http://www.brookstone.com/gifts-for-dad.html">gifts for dad</a> or that special someone that you love.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >~ February Lane ~ readers will get to enjoy $10 off any online purchase of $70 or more!! </span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /></span></span></span></span>Enter this coupon code when you purchase from their online shop: <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">22SAVE</span><br /><br />That's all for now, hope you'll enjoy the discount coupon! Thanks for visiting!<br /><br />Much love,<br />F<br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span></span></span></span></span>Feby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-66155115880474151042010-07-29T05:49:00.000-07:002010-07-29T07:56:38.300-07:00Birthday Lilies ♥<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm47dvbFpWaJRezd1aedAsgOK-Gv_vt0N7OI_dvwTpW7_89JGzmRxHi2VVQFko8le9UvwbBOXazQRIGsWHjMRymBwL8n7OLcd7JNOxV1QQUzycenjlwaUU7rVXkXjElyTnNlkAACM92JkF/s1600/Birthday_Lilies04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm47dvbFpWaJRezd1aedAsgOK-Gv_vt0N7OI_dvwTpW7_89JGzmRxHi2VVQFko8le9UvwbBOXazQRIGsWHjMRymBwL8n7OLcd7JNOxV1QQUzycenjlwaUU7rVXkXjElyTnNlkAACM92JkF/s400/Birthday_Lilies04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499316470957849922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm47dvbFpWaJRezd1aedAsgOK-Gv_vt0N7OI_dvwTpW7_89JGzmRxHi2VVQFko8le9UvwbBOXazQRIGsWHjMRymBwL8n7OLcd7JNOxV1QQUzycenjlwaUU7rVXkXjElyTnNlkAACM92JkF/s1600/Birthday_Lilies04.jpg"><br /></a>Yes, yes, I know, another flowery card this week... Hope I haven't bored you with all my girly cards yet!<br /><br />Well, if I can blame someone for my obsessive infatuation of flowers, it will be my dearest mum (love you mum, but the truth will out one of these days, LOL). Yep, my mum really loves gardening and she always decorates our house with flowers, fresh or plastic :). But since I have neither the time nor the green thumb she does; making girly, flowery cards is a perfect enough outlet for me :).<br /><br />Anyway, I've mentioned in one of my previous posts that both my parents' birthdays are coming up in August. So I made this birthday card for my mum, and I thought this digital stamp of two lilies that I made earlier this week is perfect for her. I printed it on heavy white cardstock and colored it with water color pencils.<br /><br />I used <a href="http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/2010/07/sketch-45.html">Papertake Weekly Challenge Sketch #45</a> for the pattern, and the color theme was taken from <a href="http://colorthrowdown.blogspot.com/2010/07/color-throwdown-103.html">Color Throwdown #103</a>... but the red turned out to be much too pink... :(.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2ApBzopJSEqCiT5QvX1-2SSvqCA-QohXztNeN4sRi9Bcat3lpfAHz1XBoq_umOWqw3u_FjrrI1_mRiNZzP8tE3g_JfMhVFMQkkVioq1AixY6TbY8WTgSYhbaAZB_rVfvOR1sxJirezZ5/s1600/Birthday_Lilies01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp2ApBzopJSEqCiT5QvX1-2SSvqCA-QohXztNeN4sRi9Bcat3lpfAHz1XBoq_umOWqw3u_FjrrI1_mRiNZzP8tE3g_JfMhVFMQkkVioq1AixY6TbY8WTgSYhbaAZB_rVfvOR1sxJirezZ5/s400/Birthday_Lilies01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499315927893758050" border="0" /></a><br />I also wanted take part in the <a href="http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-69-dazzle-me.html">Digital Tuesday Challenge #69</a>, Dazzle Me, so I used one of my most favorite <a href="http://www.shopsei.com/">SEI </a>papers, Mimosa Sangria glitter paper. Unfortunately my photos don't really show off the glittery texture of the paper, sorry ladies!! :) :) But don't worry, I've got three <a href="http://www.primamarketinginc.com/index.php">Prima Marketing</a> jewel drops to add some sparkle! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6lw9zM0cOhoEEOft88IS5Q1j46ASSFf1cHHZa_nrg3nt-R8MCKzqwxa3LWuUW9YCMrIJTGaioDXYs8am-Ex5YgfM4k20w-KuZ0HB163XhPfGpGGa2w7adEV7FiOpx2AQPZgI7Z9bKYp/s1600/Birthday_Lilies02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOr6lw9zM0cOhoEEOft88IS5Q1j46ASSFf1cHHZa_nrg3nt-R8MCKzqwxa3LWuUW9YCMrIJTGaioDXYs8am-Ex5YgfM4k20w-KuZ0HB163XhPfGpGGa2w7adEV7FiOpx2AQPZgI7Z9bKYp/s400/Birthday_Lilies02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499315939059051922" border="0" /></a><br />I made a flower embellishment from cotton crochet lace and added a plastic brown button--tied to the flower using a piece of jute string--to finish off. That made up seven elements that I used for this card, people: cardstock, patterned paper, digital stamp, jewel drops, cotton lace, plastic button and jute string. Yayyy, I get to submit this card to <a href="http://www.practicalscrappers.com/2010/07/this-weeks-challenge-is-use-7-or-more.html">Practical Scrappers' Challenge</a> too, which is to use 7 items or more on my card!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0lyEzJ4OpmKw-Vt5xGv_XJwU8EDS-uVKHKRWn6B8m9e9za6KsqJk3O0PJcNKX8MgIwjkFxHLdQtxKkF8dB6GIgsPW2UHMlqrsxsP3781nFdwzwQwfHnZ7Z305HBikJpw-_KlS0umUG1p/s1600/Birthday_Lilies03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0lyEzJ4OpmKw-Vt5xGv_XJwU8EDS-uVKHKRWn6B8m9e9za6KsqJk3O0PJcNKX8MgIwjkFxHLdQtxKkF8dB6GIgsPW2UHMlqrsxsP3781nFdwzwQwfHnZ7Z305HBikJpw-_KlS0umUG1p/s400/Birthday_Lilies03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499316088039475426" border="0" /></a><br />Well, all that said, I'm also submitting this post to <a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/07/something-flowery-challenge.html">Stamp Something's Weekly Challenge</a>, albeit last minute (I literally a few hours left on the clock for its InLinkz submission, LOL!). Their challenge this week is to make a flowery design, and I think this card is a perfect candidate :) :). Last but not least, I am also posting this entry to <a href="http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/07/ddcc-83-july-29-anything-goes.html">Dutch Dare Card Challenge #83</a>, Anything Goes.<br /><br />Thanks so much for visiting, do visit again for another one of my posts this weekend!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-22726633993898108462010-07-25T07:40:00.000-07:002010-07-25T09:14:39.063-07:00Birthday on Wheels<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXfnz0-7NRHFOj01QMzFS5ug8jJxVvJGkOpfo4ISinO0-qn5cHRXuk8qWJRhOQp7zSPIFvjTGDDELWGVfkNIfomv_ncL7dVdlmH8Z9f7sQBNI8IfEo_pwDinvMJtNh3iX60Xu_DMc_L3L/s1600/Birthday_VintageCar02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihXfnz0-7NRHFOj01QMzFS5ug8jJxVvJGkOpfo4ISinO0-qn5cHRXuk8qWJRhOQp7zSPIFvjTGDDELWGVfkNIfomv_ncL7dVdlmH8Z9f7sQBNI8IfEo_pwDinvMJtNh3iX60Xu_DMc_L3L/s400/Birthday_VintageCar02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497862335887134146" border="0" /></a><br />Hello there!<br /><br />If you have been reading my previous posts, you'd probably know that August will be a super busy month for me. Not only will I be moving to a new house (yaaayy!!), but I also have to make five birthday cards to send out throughout the month (pheeww).<br /><br />So I may as well get a head start, I thought, by making one of the birthday cards this weekend.The first person who's having his birthday in August is my brother in law, who's a huge fan of cars. Yep, you guessed correctly, that's why finding a theme for this birthday card was a piece of cake, LOL. Today's card will be the card that I'd send to him next week, so I'm basically keeping my fingers crossed that he won't be reading this blog post before the card's off in post, LOL :).<br /><br />As I was blog hopping, I also happened to come across the <a href="http://papercutzchallenge.blogspot.com/">Paper Cutz</a> Blog's <a href="http://papercutzchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/paper-cutz-challenge-51.html">Challenge #51</a>, which is to make a creation that features something with wheels, which is a perfect match with this project's idea. I combined the theme with <a href="http://sweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-36-vintage.html">Sweet Stampin' Challenge Blog's Challenge 36</a>, create something vintage, and came up with the design for this card.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEnTAUe9ZjIuuvJuC_4cGWKULPdu3efezQjj91NU4Ed0BdSBsJlWnVvWnrHbNshXvvF60EobV7d0UcB9sYiU6ev3TCSvIG7E72v4ZBxBLnOgsiCY0OevqPbtMdzofE3jv2obVYjIKSe2D/s1600/Birthday_VintageCar01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEnTAUe9ZjIuuvJuC_4cGWKULPdu3efezQjj91NU4Ed0BdSBsJlWnVvWnrHbNshXvvF60EobV7d0UcB9sYiU6ev3TCSvIG7E72v4ZBxBLnOgsiCY0OevqPbtMdzofE3jv2obVYjIKSe2D/s400/Birthday_VintageCar01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497861808728546322" border="0" /></a><br />I used <a href="http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/simon-says-martines-sketch.html">Martine's Sketch</a> from <a href="http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/">Simon Says Challenge Blog</a>, although I think I might have made quite an alteration on the sketch as I thought following it as is might disrupt the topper's balance on my design--sorry, Martine :).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgWZafb-6zSWQ3glT7_sUKXqbMLUcOddEGUy9PmjU65YJnZq-fue5DAJigKixXBB596pFTcnTtWcQogeUqIoFsWicTHuiqFiYG-Lo0HIrCni4Np2OEu28y3PIHQwbKB0HRjir5ErzdCH7/s1600/Birthday_VintageCar03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgWZafb-6zSWQ3glT7_sUKXqbMLUcOddEGUy9PmjU65YJnZq-fue5DAJigKixXBB596pFTcnTtWcQogeUqIoFsWicTHuiqFiYG-Lo0HIrCni4Np2OEu28y3PIHQwbKB0HRjir5ErzdCH7/s400/Birthday_VintageCar03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497862541588014466" border="0" /></a><br />I also used Donna's recipe from the <a href="http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/">Cards for Men</a> blog, which is <a href="http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-no-15-recipe-for-you.html">Challenge #15</a>. They'd asked readers to combine one image, two papers and three embellishments, which is exactly what I've done (well, although I used more than three embellishments. Couldn't resist the temptation! But I did use three buttons, though).<br /><br />The Fussy and Fancy Girls over at the <a href="http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/">Fussy and Fancy Friday Challenge</a> have also posted an exciting <a href="http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com/2010/07/week-2-of-challenge-15-stitches.html">challenge</a> a week ago, which is creating a design with scallop, stitches and sparkles. I used faux stitches for this card, adhered scalloped edges to one of the papers, and used four sparkly (well, metallic, to be exact) eyelets to embellish the card. And last but not least, I'm also posting this card to <a href="http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/">Digi Doodle Shop</a>'s Best <a href="http://digidoodleshopsbest.blogspot.com/2010/07/anything-i-mean-anything-goes-challenge.html">Anything Goes Challenge</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4VHvVDMWPBcTDJK8xTaXuNq-6X-7UaxF0G7awJOyVdHguYe389GtRO77m654RFWsGekrm0zcqvilOd2etckocYo_4kBAY9S687GBU2lEi4yX5CtKyB7A_Po-32pHxdqe8GRO4T7Q04_/s1600/Birthday_VintageCar04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L4VHvVDMWPBcTDJK8xTaXuNq-6X-7UaxF0G7awJOyVdHguYe389GtRO77m654RFWsGekrm0zcqvilOd2etckocYo_4kBAY9S687GBU2lEi4yX5CtKyB7A_Po-32pHxdqe8GRO4T7Q04_/s400/Birthday_VintageCar04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497862789463195154" border="0" /></a><br />Again, I used two of my "For His Eyes Only" digital papers for this card. I have not grown out of it for now :), plus I haven't gotten around to designing another kit for men :) :).<br /><br />Well, that's all for tonight. It's gonna be the start of a busy week tomorrow, so I'd better kick it off with a good night sleep!! Thanks for visiting and have a great week ahead!<br /><br />Love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-40553688133280763772010-07-18T01:32:00.000-07:002010-07-18T03:56:55.646-07:00A Midsummer Day's Christmas Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTujw0sPF66_yw6qyXIRqVyPL_1gZ5JEcb9PgRj8VBp81YUxsqO7h7aQnioShETov4RWlR8-5AuGvAl7dBjkfU7lWzdteLWiqtw5yZxl1rLaoLiIL2tAJ2hQ_LMgQ-_UjE-oUfjqcfGQr/s1600/ChristmasBear01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTujw0sPF66_yw6qyXIRqVyPL_1gZ5JEcb9PgRj8VBp81YUxsqO7h7aQnioShETov4RWlR8-5AuGvAl7dBjkfU7lWzdteLWiqtw5yZxl1rLaoLiIL2tAJ2hQ_LMgQ-_UjE-oUfjqcfGQr/s400/ChristmasBear01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163225180357266" border="0" /></a><br />Hi everyone!<br /><br />It's a rainy weekend here in Singapore, so I had every reason to stay in and catch up with my stack of craft materials that I've neglected for weeks now. My husband and I have finally made an offer on a flat, so fingers crossed that it'll be the end of our house-hunting season soon!! Yayyy!!<br /><br />Although it is still officially summer in most parts of the world, today I made a cool, crisp and icy looking Christmas card. Not that I'm preparing for Christmas just yet--in actual fact, I still have some countless number of cards to make before August comes, with the myriad of people around me that somehow decided to have their birthdays in August (which includes both my parents, whose birth dates are just four days apart. Pheeewww!).<br /><br />Anyway, Donna of the <a href="http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/">Cards for Men</a> blog posted her No. 14 challenge, which is <a href="http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-no-14-christmas-in-july.html">Christmas in July</a>. As I was looking for inspiration, I bumped into Caz's, Deb's and Lynn's blog, <a href="http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/">Cute Card Thursday</a>, and their <a href="http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/2010/07/challenge-121-get-head-start.html">challenge for this week</a> is also to get a head start for Christmas cardmaking. Well, two reasons for creating Christmas cards in July is good enough for me :)! Using the <span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/07/reader-ideas-week-of-7182010.html">CPS #176</a> sketch from the lovely team at <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/">Card Positioning Systems Blog</a>, I created this card.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5Vef70sDPeVMxtf1ldd2bjQWO63CwMAX7crYCXKzhjxKlzNpIDgmLtpAg_VMxCvpE5F4m2ZTMibnLCgWscHGFNBoe32P86K_jaMAcVVvIDg_BW45pytWO1zjzOD9UTyruS1NTQM77T8/s1600/ChristmasBear02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyC5Vef70sDPeVMxtf1ldd2bjQWO63CwMAX7crYCXKzhjxKlzNpIDgmLtpAg_VMxCvpE5F4m2ZTMibnLCgWscHGFNBoe32P86K_jaMAcVVvIDg_BW45pytWO1zjzOD9UTyruS1NTQM77T8/s400/ChristmasBear02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163228883543554" border="0" /></a><br />I used a digital stamp that I created last Christmas, which is a snuggly, furry winter bear holding a bell and a candy cane. I hand drew, scanned and saved the image as a PNG object, then printed it on a heavy 200 gsm white paper before coloring it with Faber Castell watercolor pencils. I really liked this image but since most of the Christmas cards I created last year was either vintage or bold looking, I did not have the chance to use it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW07hjs61XZVLt0iI_7OlWPh3kx5G-8YQL9kJ2xojnsfVhBz6Jx70X6leCveK-xTCfceT8jOes2P4LfIKQnzMrsvtokNf4ZXuPucDxEtZbsDwW9tfjH0z2fTOs9oAyAOWU3NeKPKx54wG/s1600/ChristmasBear04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcW07hjs61XZVLt0iI_7OlWPh3kx5G-8YQL9kJ2xojnsfVhBz6Jx70X6leCveK-xTCfceT8jOes2P4LfIKQnzMrsvtokNf4ZXuPucDxEtZbsDwW9tfjH0z2fTOs9oAyAOWU3NeKPKx54wG/s400/ChristmasBear04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163241774013746" border="0" /></a><br />I also used two sheets from my English Roses digital paper pack. So as most of the materials for this card were digital, I also decided to post this card for the the <a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/2010/07/something-digital-challenge.html">Something Digital</a> challenge that I found in the <a href="http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/">Stamp Something</a> blog.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnN7StAiJD6oqyWWNibhsZfuks2w0wXId4p_m-3Ym1H20jxI4O0zek_dz2Sx02C_DKtPuP0IKX7j675QkDjy9KXCutZg53BUd_Bz28FvAfyxkfuo_vRHhfb1cOlqWzfzGZ80L3_N996Mv/s1600/ChristmasBear03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnN7StAiJD6oqyWWNibhsZfuks2w0wXId4p_m-3Ym1H20jxI4O0zek_dz2Sx02C_DKtPuP0IKX7j675QkDjy9KXCutZg53BUd_Bz28FvAfyxkfuo_vRHhfb1cOlqWzfzGZ80L3_N996Mv/s400/ChristmasBear03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163231667890226" border="0" /></a><br />Instead of using the usual pre-folded card blank, I made a gate-fold card using American Crafts' <a href="http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=30&sub=159#">AC Cardstock in Lagoon</a>. After adhering the background panels cut from my digital papers (printed on heavy 110 gsm inkjet paper), I used a wide 2" blue satin ribbon for embellishment, before adhering the stamped bear as a topper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4UlOlXZxXaNd2rtNuBSbgtGF__9qgfLJbmYEDM2bE04HICwl3S7Ok2HxJOtqTN6581FBrnGYXmyJLTut5v0bP_mgZ8D2gaeHuM9rjpi0IXaHhBDFJ8d0bybd0MEiVtUjqYDDZq8jOrLZ/s1600/ChristmasBear05.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4UlOlXZxXaNd2rtNuBSbgtGF__9qgfLJbmYEDM2bE04HICwl3S7Ok2HxJOtqTN6581FBrnGYXmyJLTut5v0bP_mgZ8D2gaeHuM9rjpi0IXaHhBDFJ8d0bybd0MEiVtUjqYDDZq8jOrLZ/s400/ChristmasBear05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495163245260681586" border="0" /></a>That's all for today, would love to write more but as always, weekends always bring a bunch of ironing for me :). Thanks for visiting!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-29609028060617163702010-07-16T08:57:00.000-07:002010-07-18T03:56:18.381-07:00My Grandma's Birthday Bouquet ♥<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0M-4Ej3tHgqsMDM9F8bDAbLJ0wPBSQGFetI1eN9zuydJuk5A9x59fm2v3f_wNcbA1zQuePUSUTWx_c6k5TRP2tQ8NqYhG66WXc5wHvoB6yAScoRNvstUJjDYBZesRr-t-RMLSTq8-rUS/s1600/EnglishRosesWarmWishes03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0M-4Ej3tHgqsMDM9F8bDAbLJ0wPBSQGFetI1eN9zuydJuk5A9x59fm2v3f_wNcbA1zQuePUSUTWx_c6k5TRP2tQ8NqYhG66WXc5wHvoB6yAScoRNvstUJjDYBZesRr-t-RMLSTq8-rUS/s400/EnglishRosesWarmWishes03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494534914886102194" border="0" /></a><br />Helllooooo...<br /><br />Wow, two weeks went by so fast and I did not even realize that I have not posted anything in more than two weeks. More than two weeks, people!! Amazing as this translates to, of course, two weeks without crafting, cardmaking, taking photos or writing. Pheww.<br /><br />Well, I have a pretty good excuse for being MIA, though. My husband and I are on the hunt for another apartment as we need to move out of our current one by mid next month. I have mixed feelings about this; partially excited over getting a new place to ransack :D, but also slightly saddened as this house is, after all, the first house we've lived in after we got married :(.<br /><br />Anyway, I'm sure it'll turn out for the best and we'll find a great place soon :).<br /><br />Two weeks ago was my husband's birthday and just so happen that we were invited to one of our friends' wedding in Indonesia. (And this means that hereafter, on every 3rd of July, I will have to make a birthday card for my husband AND an anniversary card for my friend :P)<br /><br />As much as I would like to post the must-have-been-lovely photos that I would've taken at the wedding, since I had to leave the office late that day and headed directly to the airport, my darling husband had forgotten to pick up our camera from the house :( :(. This is despite him knowing that disuniting me from any types of camera on a holiday can and <span style="font-style: italic;">will </span>send me on a catastrophic tantrum that costs him no less than a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough to subdue.<br /><br />The day after the wedding was also my grandma's 78th birthday, so while we were there, we made our way to her house to celebrate. It was a great party as most of my mum's entire family was there, which doesn't happen often.<br /><br />The birthday party reminded me of one of my fondest childhood memories, which was staying over at my grandparents' house on almost every weekend. I remember that every time I walked into my granny's bedroom--where I would sit for hours listening to her stories--I would smell the Yardley English Rose fragrance that she used to wear. And I would really, really love it.<br /><br />Even now, every single time I visited her house (although she does not wear the same perfume anymore), I think that I can still smell the scent in my head. Frankly speaking, I suspect my unexplained fascination of English roses was cultivated by this memory somehow :).<br /><br />Needless to say, this birthday card was made with the same inspiration--English roses. Yeah, yeah, I know, I've been creating so many rose-themed cards recently, but what can I say :), I really adore them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOAG0RQ9GRjOF_R9bYhNqtd8uV2z9MVtD6Q39YAibdi1XiMXWQ8chR_R65lXaVxFUxbFZb7iK5feuGcQ4IXbcTKH659u4OpjmdogoYTcyRzk9nwBo4v_ZwgF0bwymJ8HMt8XqaA35tE8W/s1600/EnglishRosesWarmWishes02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOAG0RQ9GRjOF_R9bYhNqtd8uV2z9MVtD6Q39YAibdi1XiMXWQ8chR_R65lXaVxFUxbFZb7iK5feuGcQ4IXbcTKH659u4OpjmdogoYTcyRzk9nwBo4v_ZwgF0bwymJ8HMt8XqaA35tE8W/s400/EnglishRosesWarmWishes02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494534906764181746" border="0" /></a><br />The backing paper I used was one of my digital paper set, English Roses, which I finally finished designing after a month (yayyy!!). I printed the topper using a clip art from the digital set and cut out the circle using my <a href="http://www.marvy.com/product_details.aspx?ProductID=73">Marvy Uchida Clever Lever</a> circle punch. Then I adhered the circle on a punched-out scallop circle cut from recycled paper with my <a href="http://www.woodware.co.uk/detail_display01.php?ProdID=4160">Woodware Scalloped Circle</a> punch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-uIXxy85MWxWXQLj6fFkoCXGE2Uz8eWTKwEDT2hiuwOuScmWFtTr0R-0p46_M0staigwMtkDUAbEFEllcV3haxIkhPw1lzialSVUiY_0uVavRmUjEwKml-QMSzKpFE9u1Txg2yT8BUEI/s1600/EnglishRosesWarmWishes01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-uIXxy85MWxWXQLj6fFkoCXGE2Uz8eWTKwEDT2hiuwOuScmWFtTr0R-0p46_M0staigwMtkDUAbEFEllcV3haxIkhPw1lzialSVUiY_0uVavRmUjEwKml-QMSzKpFE9u1Txg2yT8BUEI/s400/EnglishRosesWarmWishes01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494534898951881042" border="0" /></a><br />To finish off, I cut a piece of white printer paper with scalloped scissors and glued it on the backing paper, and stuck the topper on a 2.5" blue satin ribbon, which has been tied loosely to give a knotted effect. <br /><br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMWF5uMgWWYjsY3J5zq4Kij0adL42t_DS5515-GKlciNiAAS-CdE_tKqUfBBO7Q_Umil62SB3Z0c3n_VQPXVYaPJ2Zkv0vSqxWUcRLr0un10Ay8HVMtwyHmBfKYf04pEdhxyuolDhhqYq/s1600/EnglishRosesWarmWishes04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMWF5uMgWWYjsY3J5zq4Kij0adL42t_DS5515-GKlciNiAAS-CdE_tKqUfBBO7Q_Umil62SB3Z0c3n_VQPXVYaPJ2Zkv0vSqxWUcRLr0un10Ay8HVMtwyHmBfKYf04pEdhxyuolDhhqYq/s400/EnglishRosesWarmWishes04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494534917600244626" border="0" /></a><br />Chic and simple, don't you think? Perfect for my beloved grandma :).<br /><br />That's all for today; it's quite late now and my eyes are neither closed nor open, LOL. Tomorrow is a new day, hopefully with some good news on our house hunt. I'm off now and see you soon!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-13596196224685142432010-06-30T07:03:00.001-07:002010-06-30T08:14:01.763-07:00Happy Birthday Super Star!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hKJiHQZG3vu8VkYCwcfZjbo1Aqx-enV_pzKQUjaRcmn2XWQYk9tq7W8mi83IxtmyRs6CTJ9yetbbwf4r8LXWB9j8oBFCdpTj5bQKpSZWcFOiHlSmIn_hB9f_b6NaFSdzZBDGr6hz29Eh/s1600/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hKJiHQZG3vu8VkYCwcfZjbo1Aqx-enV_pzKQUjaRcmn2XWQYk9tq7W8mi83IxtmyRs6CTJ9yetbbwf4r8LXWB9j8oBFCdpTj5bQKpSZWcFOiHlSmIn_hB9f_b6NaFSdzZBDGr6hz29Eh/s400/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488567399604236114" border="0" /></a>Do you like sports? I don't. Wait--let me just rephrase that--I detest sports. My husband (or my poor, poor PE teacher back in the days) would have to either drag me by the feet or bribe me with a ridiculous amount of money just to get me into my trainers and burn some kilos. The closest thing to sports that you'd see me do is listening to the occasional snippets of World Cup 2010 coverage from the BBC's World Service (yep, I don't even like watching live sports on TV, LOL). <br /><br />What I do like, though, are challenges. Just like when one of my cousins turned seven a few weeks ago, as it was the first time I created a <span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1277906589_0">birthday card</span> for a boy.<br /><br />I was browsing through my favorite craft shop--UrbanWrite--for ideas, when I came across this lively <a href="http://www.americancrafts.com/subcategory.php?id=25&sub=194"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1277906589_1">American Crafts'</span> Junior</a> patterned paper collection. Perfect for an active young fellow.<br /><br />But what do you know, since I don't exactly adore sports, nor have I done any design with this theme, I didn't have any stamps or embellishments that would go with it. So as I got home, I only managed to sit still in front of my desk, doing nothing except for staring blankly at the cute patterned paper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_YHyOprjNacXAAT31L8-UgTqbEIcetGjyQsAn6ncnUvoc8jQZVsi8nVK8y-vfx7hkidTN2aaixBE_LzzfFKMWE-PCUjfJRuT4ajQh5wh2v349vwpECiNS2Ecm_FmwmVopAfyi7tk-1F/s1600/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfF_YHyOprjNacXAAT31L8-UgTqbEIcetGjyQsAn6ncnUvoc8jQZVsi8nVK8y-vfx7hkidTN2aaixBE_LzzfFKMWE-PCUjfJRuT4ajQh5wh2v349vwpECiNS2Ecm_FmwmVopAfyi7tk-1F/s400/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488567420895988066" border="0" /></a>An idea popped into my head a couple of days later, irrelevant as it may be, when I was washing my hubby's Judogi (which is, by the way, an incredibly bulky uniform for judo, made from tremendously heavy fabric. Can you imagine how physically draining it is to hand-wash this thing?? Thank god he only practices once in a blue moon nowadays). I decided to make my own hand cut topper from a plain cardstock and embellish the card my self.<br /><br />I cut a jersey-shaped topper from a red cardstock, adorned it with white stripes and a number "1" from plain printer paper, and stamped the name of the birthday boy on the jersey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxMJxS8UUIQ8n8bwI-wlogH3umXWlnAbqA1jFgl4Q-e8zD2j4f3cFukQYDLxokX9tceC1AwNQ8Ppw0grf_gGNTBR0r5CHJcTQ-XMaCe6oC9Wy6vsqHYqXT12phMMCAQfYCRnPTLfJwRy/s1600/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqxMJxS8UUIQ8n8bwI-wlogH3umXWlnAbqA1jFgl4Q-e8zD2j4f3cFukQYDLxokX9tceC1AwNQ8Ppw0grf_gGNTBR0r5CHJcTQ-XMaCe6oC9Wy6vsqHYqXT12phMMCAQfYCRnPTLfJwRy/s400/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488567406610360018" border="0" /></a><br />The topper turned out to complement the paper perfectly, but as I thought the card still looked pretty plain, I decided to make a mini "medal" that says '<span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1277906589_2">Super Star</span>'. Perfect for a star of any field!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOpW8FVr2QAOCmlVN0-ybZ6cuM1H5JUIXEmJguCjB6FqnMuIYdRlCXFFgPNGcb9kcjb6f1uNhhnpwwIbYXGKQtq3SXvZAfBhtuVj_svrRkas52PYsNRxzUH8lS9j5tRhfZbAfHvZhKgzU/s1600/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOpW8FVr2QAOCmlVN0-ybZ6cuM1H5JUIXEmJguCjB6FqnMuIYdRlCXFFgPNGcb9kcjb6f1uNhhnpwwIbYXGKQtq3SXvZAfBhtuVj_svrRkas52PYsNRxzUH8lS9j5tRhfZbAfHvZhKgzU/s400/SportsSeries_HappyBirthday4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488567417262016002" border="0" /></a>I adhered the topper onto the patterned paper, and attached it on a red pre-folded cardstock with golden brads.<br /><br />Although I must say I am quite proud of myself for creating this sporty card :), I do hope that one fine day something <span style="font-style: italic;">can </span>change my mind about sports, that I'll be more active, that I'll be healthier and that at least I'll lose some weight :P. But for today, I guess this card will just have to do!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-41851778042319582062010-06-27T01:31:00.000-07:002010-06-27T02:51:57.809-07:00CPS 173 - Woven Ribbon Birthday Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cp6Pq4dlf2Pa7GZ0CAL4SdRhLbgdMb2mw8tGQOY72GaW440BQJghQUCrZfnbYTtWyUrhASbTPAqPiqx4Ml7414MBfN9WmdH_dVFvnAktksmJ-DRdwalHkDNVwRbM4kJ3ASTCWsu3Tv-U/s1600/Woven_Ribbon04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cp6Pq4dlf2Pa7GZ0CAL4SdRhLbgdMb2mw8tGQOY72GaW440BQJghQUCrZfnbYTtWyUrhASbTPAqPiqx4Ml7414MBfN9WmdH_dVFvnAktksmJ-DRdwalHkDNVwRbM4kJ3ASTCWsu3Tv-U/s400/Woven_Ribbon04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487376470180304402" border="0" /></a><br />Hello there!<br /><br />I couldn't believe last week went by so fast, but what's worse is, now the weekend is almost over! Pheew! My husband and I went house hunting almost all of yesterday, so between doing the laundry, making Macaroni Casserole and cleaning up our second bedroom-cum-my craft studio, I have not been able to get my usual dose of crafting :(. It has also been raining cats and dogs here in Singapore for the past few days. This morning I woke up to the sound of a blazing thunderstorm, which, to my regret, has soaked all the clothes that I washed last night!!! Aaarghhh!!<br /><br />As some of you probably know, the creative folks at <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/">Card Positioning Systems</a> always release a new challenge every Saturday. Their sketch this week, <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/06/reader-ideas-week-of-62710.html">CPS Sketch 173</a>, is clean and simple--which is a style I quite like. Here's my take on the sketch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4inVGp3Skru-dmkhnIiYP0WZwqdhuuL_EIJ0Piw7-jD7HuvWne7K9b545lwwm2J5LVJxVyBMIbzfxs6jL3UB96iQqWMGKZXjFtqxeqqetS7ufbFgKVRrFVF9xc3EPTK-iEGuDH3yIlb4/s1600/Woven_Ribbon01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4inVGp3Skru-dmkhnIiYP0WZwqdhuuL_EIJ0Piw7-jD7HuvWne7K9b545lwwm2J5LVJxVyBMIbzfxs6jL3UB96iQqWMGKZXjFtqxeqqetS7ufbFgKVRrFVF9xc3EPTK-iEGuDH3yIlb4/s400/Woven_Ribbon01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487376443746497522" border="0" /></a>It's my husband's birthday next week and since we're going away for the weekend, I thought of making a birthday card for him :). But since he poked around the studio when I was making this card, I think I may have to dismiss that idea and create a new card for his birthday now, LOL!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIdmEZ2-aRuirB4f4sV5B0_aPHyYf6TxYDrTCygBKYCs3x6rrwVghsMJbdgR45w2m2_7EuBi_i8ftpFBkJBC68WfhSMPJCSTdDKMB6-QHr7slldziGUQL4EBMnGwwhLMIi9E0ZZX3o-Pl/s1600/Woven_Ribbon03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIdmEZ2-aRuirB4f4sV5B0_aPHyYf6TxYDrTCygBKYCs3x6rrwVghsMJbdgR45w2m2_7EuBi_i8ftpFBkJBC68WfhSMPJCSTdDKMB6-QHr7slldziGUQL4EBMnGwwhLMIi9E0ZZX3o-Pl/s400/Woven_Ribbon03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487376462662231090" border="0" /></a>The original sketch included six ornamental squares at the side of the card, which I was going to create using patterned paper. But at the end, I decided to weave a piece of cream satin ribbon into the cardstock topper. I cut twelve slits on the bottom of the topper and wove two pieces of ribbon into the cuts; one piece from the right end and another from the left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgd6bsQ0xbv-HdyZO764Gl2yTz2vSjglZVM388j3u1bog2fi8evI1BLTN51mRodb6ChjvFSF4t0IyuqSFgS21nhytOQB-xPotjWuLz077ejjLclvfdec7W-hM3vfV3nTWfPJueTvRf5s6/s1600/Woven_Ribbon02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFgd6bsQ0xbv-HdyZO764Gl2yTz2vSjglZVM388j3u1bog2fi8evI1BLTN51mRodb6ChjvFSF4t0IyuqSFgS21nhytOQB-xPotjWuLz077ejjLclvfdec7W-hM3vfV3nTWfPJueTvRf5s6/s400/Woven_Ribbon02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487376453246278658" border="0" /></a>As a finishing touch, I tied the ends of the ribbon to a wooden ring that I bought at my local haberdashery store (which is a treasury for amazing cardmaking finds!!), and embellished the knot with a brown plastic button, tied with a piece of jute string.<br /><br />Here's the list of materials I used for this card:<br /><br />Cardstock: <a href="http://www.artfriend.com.sg/">ArtFriend</a> pre-cut cards<br />Topper: <a href="http://www.americancrafts.com/index.php">American Crafts</a> AC Cardstock Caramel<br />Patterned Paper: <a href="http://www.shopsei.com/">SEI</a> Poppy Espadrille<br />Stamp (for sentiment): Anna Griffin by <a href="http://www.plaidonline.com/apANM.asp">All Night Media</a><br /><br />Well, that's all the crafts for today and I'd better get back to doing the ironing now :(... Hope all of you had a great Saturday and enjoy the rest of your weekend!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-55498805359186527262010-06-20T00:42:00.000-07:002010-06-20T03:59:17.818-07:00Another Father's Day Card :)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ktvnW7IQU70Z5JHCgWMWCQFfzWrNGSt9-ecw-un4RPIeRNTgJnzew94MNitlkAjEXv0-T8fDDr3cbClngnuoLsAV-DfyxngDibmEFlvtY7VsLPwtrxvSLFiQH7SgBjqBalwP3kz4ve7g/s1600/FathersDayTwo3.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XoGp7WxcaOdazFSrDm5BAqjIZwC7f4ZqTYiOpS_BwULOcZyP8AezHujUei41ue7O_sJWlL0o0d5A_kKD-KlYqnAwMBnlN_IL8jxgvuq4n_G_KSlEE_qiKJXUmjahH3ywpVRradEPAUSG/s1600/FathersDayTwo2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XoGp7WxcaOdazFSrDm5BAqjIZwC7f4ZqTYiOpS_BwULOcZyP8AezHujUei41ue7O_sJWlL0o0d5A_kKD-KlYqnAwMBnlN_IL8jxgvuq4n_G_KSlEE_qiKJXUmjahH3ywpVRradEPAUSG/s400/FathersDayTwo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484765139330830690" border="0" /></a><br />I'm back with another Father's Day card!<br /><br />As today is Father's Day, for this week's cardmaking challenge I made another special card for all dads in the world :).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiklsko1wCCULO5ZjMx1XSjCzDbmx1pCBzW0aPYZlKtgdiXmL5pvmyOH6r6Yc2PfcWcbNP46dM6ZU2Nu6M9thy7wmf4m66aD0mXlyhzZPBBu2Bw4kGzVW4y5Kc96ePVe3-gzH5dLdBtBM/s1600/FathersDayTwo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiklsko1wCCULO5ZjMx1XSjCzDbmx1pCBzW0aPYZlKtgdiXmL5pvmyOH6r6Yc2PfcWcbNP46dM6ZU2Nu6M9thy7wmf4m66aD0mXlyhzZPBBu2Bw4kGzVW4y5Kc96ePVe3-gzH5dLdBtBM/s400/FathersDayTwo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484765135487764066" border="0" /></a>Today's card is inspired by a sketch designed by the folks at the <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/06/reader-ideas-week-of-62010.html">CPS</a> blog, and I must admit, when I saw the sketch, I thought it was a bit challenging as I don't usually do asymmetrical layouts. Nevertheless, the sketch turned out to be really fun to work with, and although I intentionally left out the arrow element, I am quite satisfied with the design :).<br /><br />Having the same theme in spirit, I also submitted this design for <a href="http://cardsformen.blogspot.com/2010/06/challenge-no-12-fathers-day.html">CardsforMen</a> blog for their Father's Day challenge.<br /><br />So what do you think of it?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNzft9K-tzM9gjT89wZ35gUihImXHexcI9TAWQ5yKQUr_2CMex9-QwL-TG5mpJHzOWuxwh62VmDrCY_Epbk6r6jiRJgEc8kPQo5ATgdDV64kmYxgEMnNYp8bnfDZ32hDhWWfcnXdojqew/s1600/FathersDayTwo4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNzft9K-tzM9gjT89wZ35gUihImXHexcI9TAWQ5yKQUr_2CMex9-QwL-TG5mpJHzOWuxwh62VmDrCY_Epbk6r6jiRJgEc8kPQo5ATgdDV64kmYxgEMnNYp8bnfDZ32hDhWWfcnXdojqew/s400/FathersDayTwo4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484767215561361218" border="0" /></a><br />I found a pre-folded cardstock at the bottom of my craft-supplies drawer, which was handy because its baby-blue color matched the feel of the patterned papers that I used. The patterned papers were from my digital paper pack collection, <span style="font-weight: bold;">For His Eyes Only</span>, which will be listed on Etsy soon. Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/februarylane">FebruaryLane</a> on Twitter if you want an update of when it's listed :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZl20O35NGUL6zpIr7vypwxz7LqY6BdR4APIwhODKadJ2IgwE7vbn48P8Ka8VGBEmvgohXLPxU7vTOUSLpB3BTW-zqalZfYbF4fEHoN0zlt0TtydRHeMhH0hGL0GU2afnKyFrPIz1EWil/s1600/FathersDayTwo5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZl20O35NGUL6zpIr7vypwxz7LqY6BdR4APIwhODKadJ2IgwE7vbn48P8Ka8VGBEmvgohXLPxU7vTOUSLpB3BTW-zqalZfYbF4fEHoN0zlt0TtydRHeMhH0hGL0GU2afnKyFrPIz1EWil/s400/FathersDayTwo5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484767229098137154" border="0" /></a>I was also excited about the sketch because it had a circle element, which meant I could use my new <a href="http://www.woodware.co.uk/">Woodware</a> scalloped circle punch :) :). I bought the punch when I went to the UK three weeks ago, but I have yet to find the chance to create anything with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ktvnW7IQU70Z5JHCgWMWCQFfzWrNGSt9-ecw-un4RPIeRNTgJnzew94MNitlkAjEXv0-T8fDDr3cbClngnuoLsAV-DfyxngDibmEFlvtY7VsLPwtrxvSLFiQH7SgBjqBalwP3kz4ve7g/s1600/FathersDayTwo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ktvnW7IQU70Z5JHCgWMWCQFfzWrNGSt9-ecw-un4RPIeRNTgJnzew94MNitlkAjEXv0-T8fDDr3cbClngnuoLsAV-DfyxngDibmEFlvtY7VsLPwtrxvSLFiQH7SgBjqBalwP3kz4ve7g/s400/FathersDayTwo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484767232429975922" border="0" /></a>I used the scalloped circle punch to make the recycled-paper base for the topper, which I printed on an ivory 80 gsm parchment paper. The image is of an antique beetle car that I had edited using CorelDraw with oil pastel effect. I used jute strings (I know, I know, I use too much jute in my designs) to tie the topper to the patterned paper and adhered them on the baby blue blank card.<br /><br />Okay, that's all for today, I really have to go to the library and return a book before I get fined :). Wishing all of you a great Father's Day and hope that you can celebrate this special day with a man who is very dear to you!!Feby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-29999446431898595002010-06-17T06:40:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:47:41.200-07:00ICSketches #70 - Happy Father's Day!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_SH7roJMgYHokE5YS7kSvUGqGhDUGl5_725CU9em0ZqkLh0TSM5JyyUXF87eyzK9Ksne2HtO7XMpYgUfrevrsxMoViP0DRqTVHbpiPrVIk06uDeKznYAruYnvJR1cKopafBTKCm9b7A-/s1600/FathersDay01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_SH7roJMgYHokE5YS7kSvUGqGhDUGl5_725CU9em0ZqkLh0TSM5JyyUXF87eyzK9Ksne2HtO7XMpYgUfrevrsxMoViP0DRqTVHbpiPrVIk06uDeKznYAruYnvJR1cKopafBTKCm9b7A-/s400/FathersDay01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483748253186776178" border="0" /></a><br />Hi again!!<br /><br />Well, as if this week has not been busy enough, I managed to squeeze in another cardmaking challenge on my agenda--although it meant neglecting my poor husband who has just sprained his ankle two days ago. Apologies, love.<br /><br />Anyway, this week's card sketch was provided by <a href="http://icsketches.blogspot.com/">Inspirational Card Sketches</a>, and I thought their Design Team has put together an array of <a href="http://icsketches.blogspot.com/2010/06/icsketches-70.html">wonderful examples</a> using the sketch. Here's a glimpse of the sketch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZC_TQEJF0bYNFvS4jVn-QmWUXYPKOWiEDYS6ofYisUD1GjGCxx8MCW9I9sNzQsqX9PY6_E8oAq3Tu1-74JepnDO1258V-LbVYv-iqFugfkKOJgarDor70z2DNpLL6s2VcYyvPYEJuZlI/s1600/ICS70.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZC_TQEJF0bYNFvS4jVn-QmWUXYPKOWiEDYS6ofYisUD1GjGCxx8MCW9I9sNzQsqX9PY6_E8oAq3Tu1-74JepnDO1258V-LbVYv-iqFugfkKOJgarDor70z2DNpLL6s2VcYyvPYEJuZlI/s400/ICS70.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483747017492016898" border="0" /></a><br />As this coming Sunday is Father's Day, I decided to make a Happy Father's Day card using one of my digital paper packs.<br /><br />Here's my take on the sketch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5164PS1qkFr9N2itjb4DG9qyV84idqgHEUkNk_j4en_-WSm_9q3AhS8ErAHpXjx94rEIwZ7nw1nq6_eNVjVzA79Q0XvI6QGTo7Xh9-WrgW4C7edlCZNazdHnaChhVLyiJa_qYEjRW3s0W/s1600/FathersDay02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5164PS1qkFr9N2itjb4DG9qyV84idqgHEUkNk_j4en_-WSm_9q3AhS8ErAHpXjx94rEIwZ7nw1nq6_eNVjVzA79Q0XvI6QGTo7Xh9-WrgW4C7edlCZNazdHnaChhVLyiJa_qYEjRW3s0W/s400/FathersDay02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483748257982226818" border="0" /></a><br />I printed the digital paper pack using an inkjet printer on a heavy 200 gsm cardstock. I designed the topper using a cool photo of a classic car taken by <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/profile/mzacha">Michal</a> over at <a href="http://www.sxc.hu/">Sxc</a>. I gave it an 'ink-pen sketch' effect in PhotoShop and recolor it in Corel Photo Paint to bring out a vintage feel.<br /><br />I printed this topper on a 110 gsm ivory parchment paper, which emphasized the 'rugged' feel of the design. Then, I adhered the print out on a rectangular craft foam for a lifted effect that accentuates the topper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYzNbD8_WuRSW6GlnKZBm19C_cDlBaN_BVceNr6IZzABi9QAt_y8ECyxl9e1Opni4_Sc_joP2UJ-eg19ff47LOJzOTKQM4UBklp5O6TuUWAN2wPH8NvxRUZh1LH9JR2JBRPPu6Ury_-XQ/s1600/FathersDay03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYzNbD8_WuRSW6GlnKZBm19C_cDlBaN_BVceNr6IZzABi9QAt_y8ECyxl9e1Opni4_Sc_joP2UJ-eg19ff47LOJzOTKQM4UBklp5O6TuUWAN2wPH8NvxRUZh1LH9JR2JBRPPu6Ury_-XQ/s400/FathersDay03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483748267454641202" border="0" /></a><br />As always, I think jute never fails to give an amazing touch to any card. So when I ran out of paper after cutting a few miscalculated pieces (although the good thing about digital papers is that you can always print a few more!!), I reached out to my left over jute bundle and found a scrap perfect for the job :).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3XctLX95z2Klr3y9kFndkAMQaysC9m43thr5BJKXU8RqSmivcvXrOpi0X9m-IQhMKuhj18cuTqnnWfkjhfQ_pJMhBQTJzMPBegGwK7AT9Jw9pBdf3X3_vqRH_lrE4ndkvUFKWczjB-Kv/s1600/FathersDay04.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3XctLX95z2Klr3y9kFndkAMQaysC9m43thr5BJKXU8RqSmivcvXrOpi0X9m-IQhMKuhj18cuTqnnWfkjhfQ_pJMhBQTJzMPBegGwK7AT9Jw9pBdf3X3_vqRH_lrE4ndkvUFKWczjB-Kv/s400/FathersDay04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483748270844101986" border="0" /></a><br />After putting the pieces together, though, I still felt that the card was still too plain for my liking. Thus, I decided to give the honorable task of embellishing to a pair of brown plastic buttons, which have done the job quite well, I think!<br /><br />If you are wondering, the digital paper pack that I used was a kit that I created for my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a> shop, although I have not listed it yet. This kit is called "For His Eyes Only", and as the name describes, this is a very masculine, rugged yet classy kit of 8 digital papers, which you can use to create digital scrapbook, cards or other crafty stuff for a beloved guy ;).<br /><br />Here's a peek of the pack:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rfQa5ukgmvD3y1OtzQTyndvW8DPZNcO5m0NmtexnO-q2SH0DG3lf_ffPkThj_BFubDNjQPmip_1mmtbyOFvvqQwIpJWxgSOe3fclkYQn09yIq4o37Y_SY2MnFTY3Fa-fOL-qaw54Pfx8/s1600/For+His+Eyes+Only+Cover.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rfQa5ukgmvD3y1OtzQTyndvW8DPZNcO5m0NmtexnO-q2SH0DG3lf_ffPkThj_BFubDNjQPmip_1mmtbyOFvvqQwIpJWxgSOe3fclkYQn09yIq4o37Y_SY2MnFTY3Fa-fOL-qaw54Pfx8/s400/For+His+Eyes+Only+Cover.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483753131957769890" border="0" /></a><br />So that's all for tonight's challenge, pheww, I can't believe tomorrow is already Friday!! Wooohooo!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-19338917461395151952010-06-13T05:16:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:45:41.144-07:00CPS 171 - English BouquetI have been a HUGE fan of the <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/">CPS - Card Sketches</a> blog since I started making cards a few months ago.<br /><br />However, being the biggest procrastinator that I am :), it is not until now that I decided to play along with their weekly card sketch challenge. So here goes!!<br /><br />This week's challenge is <a href="http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/2010/06/reader-ideas-week-of-61310.html">CPS 171</a>, sponsored by <a href="http://www.kraftinkimmiestamps.com/">Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps</a>. Here's a peek of the sketch:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYKlGgb-r9ZGluNjxt0_dBgsjdB-ca32tXTt_OYKs3bFCg47A5rD7viD9uPF3ZDJMNe3IKbqQBZ_9OyB_IYOivxLEv5Ch1z7etRL59MlEVxZPMvtTuu_Xnajw8fvJIgucZbxjemhgzqtu/s1600/171_June13_KraftinKimmie.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJYKlGgb-r9ZGluNjxt0_dBgsjdB-ca32tXTt_OYKs3bFCg47A5rD7viD9uPF3ZDJMNe3IKbqQBZ_9OyB_IYOivxLEv5Ch1z7etRL59MlEVxZPMvtTuu_Xnajw8fvJIgucZbxjemhgzqtu/s400/171_June13_KraftinKimmie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482233728498971826" border="0" /></a><br />And here's my creation today:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LrVm2oayGzaNWP9WDavZSLEnBufdZWQvNvP-bZUyCpBzKkLlLXUnI7yBFccheHDHMo-_B20KhG897vrjzSRPEXAgd0LMictahkOYecczPutvjht1nlOFGXh-Z_1RyR3f_WbHCXiach54/s1600/English_Roses1.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL-Pla3B-83nPPWTOJ5S4Xf4gG2TGvyjrN6kn4wdVgrU5DzgyABOKlBTrtKIGW4ip26kcYHQKuixGOHNJJOq4O3GWrTODPQOS1uUoRFWW-1xZqE5K_f1D4B-Saev2cPr8hlmueDyw_XEl/s1600/English_Roses1Edit.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWL-Pla3B-83nPPWTOJ5S4Xf4gG2TGvyjrN6kn4wdVgrU5DzgyABOKlBTrtKIGW4ip26kcYHQKuixGOHNJJOq4O3GWrTODPQOS1uUoRFWW-1xZqE5K_f1D4B-Saev2cPr8hlmueDyw_XEl/s400/English_Roses1Edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482239595568437570" border="0" /></a><br />I used a cardstock that I actually bought for father's day cards that I planned to make before I went to Europe, but that plan never rolled out in the end ^_^. Hence, I was left with a few masculine-themed cardstock and papers, but it turned out that this grayish-blue color worked well with the topper.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXcx7K3VEfohgBDuHkH4JFqjhskpuh870HOxMPUgpfDQUCh6oI65DJpXy41_Jap2gOEcD_3MEFEJ1QduME-s6tTiPH5X2_lG6to45Zui82oW0R-RZcudV0kLEIetQFBMmqB3bG61bGxk6/s1600/English_Roses3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXcx7K3VEfohgBDuHkH4JFqjhskpuh870HOxMPUgpfDQUCh6oI65DJpXy41_Jap2gOEcD_3MEFEJ1QduME-s6tTiPH5X2_lG6to45Zui82oW0R-RZcudV0kLEIetQFBMmqB3bG61bGxk6/s400/English_Roses3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482233168463589410" border="0" /></a><br />In case you are wondering, the topper that I used is from my English Bouquet Digital Paper Pack Set that I sell on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/">Etsy</a>. It's not listed as yet since I haven't finished designing the entire range, LOL. But you'll be able to view (and maybe buy a set ;D) them in a week's time or so. Follow <a href="http://twitter.com/februarylane">February Lane on Twitter</a> if you'd like to know when it's listed :).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_m5fT9d0K23iv7xeWJW6pbYbdg5Re3laEaf_JGn1pDR-RW6NzwDgbezv2muluHeu6gLyLld2Uj-zNl8rY-VV1HrKjc9IPYS0Htp9If9rkDXBBVHaJ2j0ujeLzOP7z1E7HXczsMtk1ktu/s1600/English_Roses4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_m5fT9d0K23iv7xeWJW6pbYbdg5Re3laEaf_JGn1pDR-RW6NzwDgbezv2muluHeu6gLyLld2Uj-zNl8rY-VV1HrKjc9IPYS0Htp9If9rkDXBBVHaJ2j0ujeLzOP7z1E7HXczsMtk1ktu/s400/English_Roses4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482240979054331810" border="0" /></a><br />The three diamond-shaped embellishments were made from hand-cut jute fabric, which is perhaps officially my 'signature' material by now, LOL. The rose was one of my hand-made 'scout' roses (I call them 'scout roses' because I learned how to make them when I was in the scouts :D), made using crimson and moss-green satin ribbons. The sentiment was printed on recycled paper.<br /><br />That's all for tonight, I will come back again next week with new posts!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-45321516245488412582010-06-11T21:26:00.000-07:002010-06-18T23:37:09.999-07:00My Super Hot Crush<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQXS6_PHll2X87nolFR2Dl4RG2p5ovGSfg8zwy9HyXHVPenSQqJMR0bezFG8S6RI99PzB7RWocQ_ZX7StIFdTYfugff0jnCzP2oP-oFoQf-C_Nd1PcYb-ySyJHyU6BKHV0bpxevrjeuWw/s1600/MoraviaVevcie_2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQXS6_PHll2X87nolFR2Dl4RG2p5ovGSfg8zwy9HyXHVPenSQqJMR0bezFG8S6RI99PzB7RWocQ_ZX7StIFdTYfugff0jnCzP2oP-oFoQf-C_Nd1PcYb-ySyJHyU6BKHV0bpxevrjeuWw/s400/MoraviaVevcie_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481739576963812786" border="0" /></a><br />Have I mentioned lately that I am <span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1276316774_0">head over heels</span> for <a href="http://www.shopsei.com/">SEI</a>'s paper collections? If I haven't, well, here goes, I am officially mad for SEI papers. I think their designs are just so sophisticated, while whimsy and pretty at the same time.<br /><br />My personal favorite is definitely the <a href="http://www.qbaroo.com/shopsei/main.cfm?heading=0&categoryoid=8&productoid=350">Moravia</a> range, although the <span style="border-bottom: 2px dotted rgb(54, 99, 136); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1276316774_1">color scheme</span> is not my usual cup of tea (being the self-proclaimed girlish design addict). Regardless, the designs and color moods just go well with mature and sophisticated looking cards, especially if you're making one for a grown-up.<br /><br />I made the card below for my father-in-law's birthday. The background paper is <a href="http://www.qbaroo.com/shopsei/largeImage.cfm?heading=0&cat=8&sub=350&product=2803">SEI Moravia Vevcie</a>, which comes with a beautiful die-cut edge.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLti91LJSNVJotHsN0e6g4AJBla7Rpd32PIl44CkUks1kDZw3ekU1uc1W_lKmIHfY7JvkT7XtLnxSBE8oFl8N3Aq7gaKzSSY8biRuVkp2a90k2SweLngE_hNDPnMFx7madVVMOW5RqltkB/s1600/MoraviaVevcie_1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLti91LJSNVJotHsN0e6g4AJBla7Rpd32PIl44CkUks1kDZw3ekU1uc1W_lKmIHfY7JvkT7XtLnxSBE8oFl8N3Aq7gaKzSSY8biRuVkp2a90k2SweLngE_hNDPnMFx7madVVMOW5RqltkB/s400/MoraviaVevcie_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484369835573313778" border="0" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.qbaroo.com/shopsei/main.cfm?heading=0&categoryoid=8&productoid=325">Mimosa</a> range is another one of my personal favorites, and this range really portrays the inner me! The patterned paper are both pretty and fresh at the same time, with a playful combination of guava, mango and key lime colors. Love, love, love!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTDLBXrEMi-uO0uIvyONZqVo65jyAE3eelE6C6q2iw8sb4u5074HyvNzWfUDDb5OocPs6PFsNXo2TJJqKjtQqhstsXq_h0EyO_45MYrd9MuQQBC8Q_In8eG7jMBtcjYMIZeL7FdtyjXkN/s1600/FloralSeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTDLBXrEMi-uO0uIvyONZqVo65jyAE3eelE6C6q2iw8sb4u5074HyvNzWfUDDb5OocPs6PFsNXo2TJJqKjtQqhstsXq_h0EyO_45MYrd9MuQQBC8Q_In8eG7jMBtcjYMIZeL7FdtyjXkN/s400/FloralSeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481739750707754466" border="0" /></a><br />I made the card above with Mimosa stamps, and the paper is <a href="http://www.qbaroo.com/shopsei/largeImage.cfm?heading=0&cat=8&sub=325&product=2549">Sangria</a> glitter paper.<br /><br />I still have a few more cards made with SEI's collection, but I'm gonna keep it for later as I really have to get out of bed soon and get some shopping done :). I'll be back tomorrow, hopefully with a new card for the CPS challenge!<br /><br />'Til then,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-48782664129743287452010-06-08T06:18:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:49:23.308-07:00I'm Back :)Woohoo! If you noticed that I've been MIA for the last month or so, it's because I have just got home from a holiday in Europe (which was sadly preceded by a one-week episode of flu and fever). It was truly an amazing experience as I got to meet many of my husband's wonderful relatives that did not make it to our wedding in October last year.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipveaKJt3y9zNQ-dorOwoq_8qHDXNUKJHxMfFxDu73B6T03jNXuPw_A06Xx11r4ZmYEJLFtIzj3IBgLp4WMHGVOYotlN8U3Z-k1MsvytWigT5Obsl_i18OA2BfflR_x4DQ7J4hcHtMHFck/s1600/Blog_01.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipveaKJt3y9zNQ-dorOwoq_8qHDXNUKJHxMfFxDu73B6T03jNXuPw_A06Xx11r4ZmYEJLFtIzj3IBgLp4WMHGVOYotlN8U3Z-k1MsvytWigT5Obsl_i18OA2BfflR_x4DQ7J4hcHtMHFck/s400/Blog_01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481477341396062594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Hubby and I at the Triumphal Arch, Parc du Cinquantenaire, Brussels</span><br /></div><br />It was definitely refreshing to go somewhere new, although to be truly honest Europe was not exactly what I expected--or rather imagined--it to be. For instance, being <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> celebrated fashion capital of the world, I had this naive picture in my mind that Paris would be all about the pristine, modern and crisp window displays of an endless array of high-end frocks. But it's not.<br /><br />Also thought that London was just another concrete jungle that boasts dozens of skyscrapers and gadgety-looking offices that sells, well, gadgets. But guess what? It's not. (Note to self: What <span style="font-style: italic;">have </span>I been reading all this while?)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgdAQJ1sbWi7b5CcgSbW71RGaXhE940Ltz410ZraO6qRYSdCbUf5oJtcqMS9DGdVvm0mcCSE3UHP8HLc9xkNS6tdQSBWrmhanSG6IDXR769VOXYbqMgfY-eW0uTWJ_Uv8CkeHEBWLF-CE/s1600/Blog_02.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgdAQJ1sbWi7b5CcgSbW71RGaXhE940Ltz410ZraO6qRYSdCbUf5oJtcqMS9DGdVvm0mcCSE3UHP8HLc9xkNS6tdQSBWrmhanSG6IDXR769VOXYbqMgfY-eW0uTWJ_Uv8CkeHEBWLF-CE/s400/Blog_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481477443378857474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >The incessantly-photogenic Eiffel Tower, Paris</span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span><br />Anyway, it was a very, very interesting journey and I am now happy to know that Europe is perhaps one of the most beautiful, artistic and well-preserved places that I've visited.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs0Fbn5yUZDxbxfSHolTk2xM2fM3Hw7xyUdbgSjQD-flI4NfZZvCRvHdK6HztPsmR54-r1IwVC1WzDHLTJpV69htLX8yTXIUi3ODBJXFAtAcJgaQtgJcp3Pzrigan85lXSDP7Mjlp0Qfo/s1600/Blog_03.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizs0Fbn5yUZDxbxfSHolTk2xM2fM3Hw7xyUdbgSjQD-flI4NfZZvCRvHdK6HztPsmR54-r1IwVC1WzDHLTJpV69htLX8yTXIUi3ODBJXFAtAcJgaQtgJcp3Pzrigan85lXSDP7Mjlp0Qfo/s400/Blog_03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481477767951879906" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >On board SS Sir Walter Scott, Loch Katrine, Scotland </span><br /></div><br />So still in the spirit of Victorian slash Georgian slash Tudor Revival, I created this antique-looking card, which is topped by a stamped image of a cherub. Yup, definitely not my usual style; if you've seen any of my other cards I won't be surprised that you'd most likely judge my taste as rather muted, whimsy, or shabby.<br /><br />Well not anymore!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv63zpc-1x5lg7HdR2J2DSNQObU-o_8lKYd-BbbyZyMskYhA-0V1u7h99kvYF0JVUHGEfAwIWEfE1RgEv5pv7CHfG39_rqNxMcLFJLostnDAkB_wOsNYrrqP_mOpEBXxwnlVsPrCmwlkF/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirv63zpc-1x5lg7HdR2J2DSNQObU-o_8lKYd-BbbyZyMskYhA-0V1u7h99kvYF0JVUHGEfAwIWEfE1RgEv5pv7CHfG39_rqNxMcLFJLostnDAkB_wOsNYrrqP_mOpEBXxwnlVsPrCmwlkF/s400/AngelSeries_BestWishes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481477991109755666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6RcUZLUrvEN0SXajWxA2NZRLkjfggVVUxnIBf5Wxw5v9eTe39GZLQVw5eD3-_mY-YYUxU80TPMktjQDGWXJpFezun7oUcXuMJ0aB8UH-ejXrMDrh5FwNwLr9cDMTtkXkHRy_uDdz0QIN/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes.jpg"><br /></a>This card was made with dark red textured cardstock, embellished with 3D stamped image of a cute Cherub from <a href="http://www.primamarketinginc.com/">Prima Marketing</a> (in crimson red ink). As always, square foam pads are always handy to give a face-lift on any topper and create a 3D feel on them.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz0q7Nx0nb1gvkr6bSvgGW4MmamqEs1jVQrv_KZ1BUas02btKkYbXlXs-OrnCkapp6VzyxM4VKFKhLlwg_FCs1BPTuNpnQquW-4c_unlA_CT5W7yLFl5_ymHGXHamt5CZ4om187nzzqHC/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtz0q7Nx0nb1gvkr6bSvgGW4MmamqEs1jVQrv_KZ1BUas02btKkYbXlXs-OrnCkapp6VzyxM4VKFKhLlwg_FCs1BPTuNpnQquW-4c_unlA_CT5W7yLFl5_ymHGXHamt5CZ4om187nzzqHC/s400/AngelSeries_BestWishes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481478087497405426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGxjishWwejEg8_VURd65GKXGzY8ZorbClYGSvWeGxG56IYt8zu6VTWJ1JGpeQpq06Ao8bmE5Wxo8fa-n4mk10nBaoIGom1KOgqN0DX1KVoo4StXN0kf77R_HZrjlrRTjvx3PJNfveMxr/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes2.jpg"><br /></a>I further embellished the topper jute strings (my newly-found puppy love, more on this later) and a brown-colored button. Sentiment stamped on recycled paper on hand-cut tag in crimson red ink, adhered on same cardstock and tied to a 0.48" eyelet hole with jute string.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nEnH99_Wof9wV7aCeyJE6cHvOHQQO1aI1MTSCpHgAfIB0EfiGw3VJuhyphenhyphenCeStc401E4r8g0xtjxNOv7bWH5ExHJC5unm2g-_H1KEDEwDXRzcosDHlLJFiA8WeKDD_KoQjtP2f-0nK4OiX/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nEnH99_Wof9wV7aCeyJE6cHvOHQQO1aI1MTSCpHgAfIB0EfiGw3VJuhyphenhyphenCeStc401E4r8g0xtjxNOv7bWH5ExHJC5unm2g-_H1KEDEwDXRzcosDHlLJFiA8WeKDD_KoQjtP2f-0nK4OiX/s400/AngelSeries_BestWishes3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481478270075240066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PFQO7aIjZovoNuKX99S5aE_1Tvc2J-Qh9bI2YdhU_eKjjiXCI4lvyUmpoZTfQ213g_WD_CvX64c_HgwKTCN0EjARZ6pkIybtTHbSIPSxjhwzbL0dZ9Vl3OlIFBZUWPYwjmlljwKh9pnt/s1600/AngelSeries_BestWishes3.jpg"><br /></a>The background paper is not patterned cardstock; it is actually recycled paper stamped with more Prima Marketing stamps (love these guys for their amazing classic designs).<br /><br />That's all for today, gotta go to work, but I will be back with a post on my newest, hottest new crush!!<br /><br />Love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-75778956241482090232010-05-06T06:01:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:48:59.823-07:00Float, Flutter, Fly!For no apparent reason, I have recently developed an unprecedented fascination of butterflies.<br /><br />Well, it's probably not for no reason at all, actually.<br /><br />It all started one sun-stricken day when a few of my colleagues and I ran out of lunch options and decided to go to a Chinese fast food restaurant a few blocks away from my office. The food wasn't great (which was a given counting there was barely any crowd at lunch time, which in turn is usually a bad sign), but the wall behind the serving counter caught my eye.<br /><br />Yep, it was covered, top to bottom by tiny little paper butterflies. Handmade, accordion-fold, paper butterflies. Apparently, as and when the waitresses were free (which is probably quite often, judging from the non-existence of any type of diners that day), they gathered in a corner and folded scrap papers--used receipts, brochures, leaflets, and other tiny pieces of colorful papers, to make these dainty, little charmers.<br /><br />Needless to say, once I got home that evening, I Googled "accordion paper butterfly" and found a handful of links that gave me the step-by-step instructions of how to make it.<br /><br />This was the first card that I made that very evening:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlPSRp4gJ0Yk_iiKj7eyr2nbpmqPzavwuR9rfRbhnMLay7I0QfBtFFH0xfO4RfE80QPsGxDd66WNFKHttNhXDCWpbIZMe1DwmSGtDugYFEKdfrWJ94wnx4pCTmBOq-N2vH9T9uQW6zR77/s1600/ButterflySeries_Thanks3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlPSRp4gJ0Yk_iiKj7eyr2nbpmqPzavwuR9rfRbhnMLay7I0QfBtFFH0xfO4RfE80QPsGxDd66WNFKHttNhXDCWpbIZMe1DwmSGtDugYFEKdfrWJ94wnx4pCTmBOq-N2vH9T9uQW6zR77/s320/ButterflySeries_Thanks3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468537050009517618" border="0" /></a><br />I made the butterfly from leftover wrapping paper that I found in my studio and used florist wire to make the body and antennae (PS: If you're making one too, be sure that you use thin or low gsm paper as it makes the crease look sharper and you'll get a more streamlined shape). Shaping the wire was unexpectedly difficult, though! Note to self, I really should buy smaller diameter wire next time.<br /><br />I adhered the butterfly onto a piece of white cardstock and placed this topper on a violet pre-folded cardstock, and I also found some leftovers of my most favorite, beloved <a href="http://www.diecutswithaview.com/">DCWV</a> Spring 2009 paper stack. As a finishing touch, I embellished the card with three dainty jewels from <a href="http://www.primamarketinginc.com/">Prima</a>.<br /><br />Another photo of the card:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UdG47kugd_EeitIjG8YwaDh1ZgLYiLu5S_A1iM0Ps0vRRaJ0qBRrDWJ4aUKO6TVn4xuGOl9c9b5DqKLml5uZq8NV0_4uMCYNPswF1rHOIeppa_JXPn3ycBhnW_tTbiGel8bCRhCVdHyc/s1600/ButterflySeries_Thanks2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UdG47kugd_EeitIjG8YwaDh1ZgLYiLu5S_A1iM0Ps0vRRaJ0qBRrDWJ4aUKO6TVn4xuGOl9c9b5DqKLml5uZq8NV0_4uMCYNPswF1rHOIeppa_JXPn3ycBhnW_tTbiGel8bCRhCVdHyc/s320/ButterflySeries_Thanks2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468538810922475890" border="0" /></a><br />As with what happens every time I get fascinated with anything new, come the following weekend; I found myself with a new Carla Craft butterfly punch. I was quite excited because that was the first craft punch that I'd bought in a long, long time!<br /><br />I forgot where I saw the inspiration to make this card, but I remembered that it was a framed image of three butterfly collages that gave me the idea for this design. I actually intended to send this card for a friend's birthday, but somehow I didn't send this card and ended up making another one.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLg19Hscm6LuQgCkvnq0qlJzcqCu35wmPqqnQVap3G4jNCBFWlI-JZ-KL-j-BvPsRHpnkZrJZzwa0NflDnBnbDTtCtWO31VylSQjtlJfetmAynlT7syYJ9lktXsP-g5ispaCjvohNlvH8/s1600/FloralSeries_HappyBirthdaySquares3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLg19Hscm6LuQgCkvnq0qlJzcqCu35wmPqqnQVap3G4jNCBFWlI-JZ-KL-j-BvPsRHpnkZrJZzwa0NflDnBnbDTtCtWO31VylSQjtlJfetmAynlT7syYJ9lktXsP-g5ispaCjvohNlvH8/s320/FloralSeries_HappyBirthdaySquares3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468540688709791938" border="0" /></a><br />By the way, the button that I used for the embellishment was rather 'special' because I bought it in Cebu, the Philippines. Yep, even when I was having a holiday with my hubby I managed to scour a few scrapbooking shops and bought a few bits and bobs, LOL ^_^.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O0IVDNXU0AGEbq9Rf8N_ttwPmxtvS6AG5ySUlz8ZCBu0YG6sBYwlNCfpsHhrmFww0HdSYF9OLjWfTFgYFoRbA-J5J4NeQp2yKyYEuq_WlG_WBuoQh1-iw5DlGxEcEdimtY1eTxJb4QUN/s1600/FloralSeries_HappyBirthdaySquares2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-O0IVDNXU0AGEbq9Rf8N_ttwPmxtvS6AG5ySUlz8ZCBu0YG6sBYwlNCfpsHhrmFww0HdSYF9OLjWfTFgYFoRbA-J5J4NeQp2yKyYEuq_WlG_WBuoQh1-iw5DlGxEcEdimtY1eTxJb4QUN/s320/FloralSeries_HappyBirthdaySquares2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468541749572666514" border="0" /></a><br />The last card in the butterfly series is a simple birthday card with a cut-out shape of a butterfly, which was made with one of the papers out of my <a href="http://www.diecutswithaview.com/">DCWV</a> Spring 2009 paper stack.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHuez9Wq6cUItzfezNXtaCBffZkEYtbLzlKnhi0Tzrzw6nCOB5n8AhyphenhyphenZ794ixRf_5JMqJz1pSoXAH2sDm42X_AB36sm3eQLYisP0fGCqxqaYfGBHGT1Pe1KzZ86Lk1794TvqUCcsCkeA5/s1600/ButterflySeries_HappyBirthday3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHuez9Wq6cUItzfezNXtaCBffZkEYtbLzlKnhi0Tzrzw6nCOB5n8AhyphenhyphenZ794ixRf_5JMqJz1pSoXAH2sDm42X_AB36sm3eQLYisP0fGCqxqaYfGBHGT1Pe1KzZ86Lk1794TvqUCcsCkeA5/s320/ButterflySeries_HappyBirthday3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468542273094575058" border="0" /></a><br />Unfortunately the paper was a bit too thin for this shape, so I had to stick quite a few pieces of tiny craft foam squares at the back to support the form. As I was out of the violet cardstock, I used a shocking-lime-green colored pre-folded cardstock, which is a color I'm not typically in favor of. But it works out quite well at the end I think, thanks to the light green elements on the wrapping paper that I used as a base.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamJPfXb2FfX6LI26YwiGG8ac-RbCtfCo0MAE-ZSEeiW9i45jWHRlZq1jOup0pB8BwsRd-mHgpuOmxkZhhnzn8X3hHLDPI2g38CbsdCRwxvqp40FLmOcBgu1V0botikSQIUTJ6VrW6F9vC/s1600/ButterflySeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiamJPfXb2FfX6LI26YwiGG8ac-RbCtfCo0MAE-ZSEeiW9i45jWHRlZq1jOup0pB8BwsRd-mHgpuOmxkZhhnzn8X3hHLDPI2g38CbsdCRwxvqp40FLmOcBgu1V0botikSQIUTJ6VrW6F9vC/s320/ButterflySeries_HappyBirthday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468543194187747970" border="0" /></a><br />I've only created three of these butterfly-themed cards, but surely I'm still anticipating more to come. I am thinking of experimenting with felt... needle-felt... tissue paper... crochet... OMG! The possibilities are endless! I'd better get crafting now!! Bubye!!<br /><br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3123495144717415860.post-4898664250876427942010-05-02T05:18:00.000-07:002010-06-18T10:45:33.865-07:00Hello!Hi there!<br /><br />This is my first post on this blog and I am sooo excited about it ^_^. I have been intending to publish my own blog forever and a day, and being the lazy gal that I am, well, it dragged on for months on end :P.<br /><br />I have always loved arts and crafts since I was barely a teenager, and have been selling my own handmade stuff since I was in Junior High. The first 'art' that I sold was a handmade journal, or, to be overly concise, a journal with a handmade cover (I literally just scrapped off the cover and replaced it with a jute cover that I made) and sold it to one of my besties for about $1 because I wanted to buy a new pair of baggy jeans (which were very much in trend back then, I swear).<br /><br />Anyhow, my crafting pursuits carried on for years, ranging from paper crafting, sewing, painting, sketching to loads of other stuff (I christmas cards, crafts, digital paper, digital scrapbooking, hello cards, Jute Cardseven hand sketched my best friend's portrait for her birthday gift, lame as it is), until I went to university.<br /><br />I majored in Architecture in uni, thus my 'crafting' endeavors or any part thereof, became--shall I say--an 'obligation'. Never in my life have I seen so much crafting needed to be done in one day, as with my days in Architecture (and I am sure my uni friends can vouch for me on that). Studio hours were endless, handmade modeling of buildings kept us awake for forty eight hours at the least, and watercolor lessons were 'recommended' in order for us to pass one of the studio subjects. Even I, being much in love with crafts in the beginning, became desensitized to its daintiness and started to see arts as an industrialized course, if nothing else.<br /><br />That was ten years ago. I started working not long after my graduation (ironically not as an architect, pheeww), days come and go and I was far away--million miles beyond doing anything crafts-related.<br /><br />And there was I, about a few months back, preparing for my wedding. Yet in the midst of an excruciating episode of planning three different weddings in two different countries (with one man, mind you! But don't ask, I'll save this story for another time!), the one thing that I had in mind was to get DIY everything for the wedding(s). I was overwhelmed with the invitation samples, favor samples, patterned papers, etc., etc., etc., and I must say that I was so astonished at how the craft industry has changed so much in a decade.<br /><br />I mean, some ten years ago, I created patterned paper by sticking a dried leaf on a foam block and stamping it on recycled paper in green acrylic ink. Now, you can go to virtually any shopping malls, find a scrapbooking shoppe, and get all the patterned papers in any design you can imagine--all on the cheap. And it's not only limited to brick and mortar businesses, go Google 'cardmaking' or 'scrapbooking' and you'll find hundreds, if not thousands, of resources to back you up in your crafting pursuits.<br /><br />Then, a few weeks after we came back from our honeymoon, I realized that I was craving to do something creative again. So I went back to those scrapbooking and craft stores, and went on a maddddd shopping spree for papers, stamps, ribbons, punches, and just about anything that I could get my hands on without my hubby scowling at me (:P Luv ya hunny).<br /><br />As it was a few weeks before Christmas, the first cards that I made after the long crafts-hibernation-episode were, of course, Christmas cards that we sent to friends and family (so I had an excuse to spend on supplies as I was saving us the price of a few Christmas cards, LOL). I wasn't so sure that I made, well, 'presentable' cards, but surprisingly I received positive responses from the people whom we sent the cards to.<br /><br />These are the first two cards that I made in Christmas 2009:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFjXVxCWeW3UbAaMKJbrN0Ubexicoc453ABzi1qWMKl97p9zRmuVZ6XF91oNMrOVjEJw0j5_w4oAnTNqNe7XMlnoifE6N-9QCUor2an2_ZVJ4snHDOijAWTQ7GuiBMEeQcoLkcpUsq2kC/s1600/IMG_0847.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFjXVxCWeW3UbAaMKJbrN0Ubexicoc453ABzi1qWMKl97p9zRmuVZ6XF91oNMrOVjEJw0j5_w4oAnTNqNe7XMlnoifE6N-9QCUor2an2_ZVJ4snHDOijAWTQ7GuiBMEeQcoLkcpUsq2kC/s320/IMG_0847.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466695295926267890" border="0" /></a><br />I made this card for my beloved hubby. He always likes scruffy, vintage looking stuff and I was browsing around some digital scrapbooking blogs for this kind of theme when I bumped into <a href="http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/">Summer Driggs</a>' website. I think she's one of the coolest Digital Scrapbook Artist ever, and all her kits are available for free on her blog. I printed some of the papers and elements from her <a href="http://summertimedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/12/believe-kit.html">Believe </a>kit, and it worked very well on recycle paper, giving me the exact vintage look that I was looking for. I inked the edges with Tsukineko Coffee Bean ink for the extra 'aged' look. Thanks a bunch for your kit, Summer!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFx6CvtXN6G1capJ1ZoAENz50Wt6VuwLQ8t-CErdtRdmYBwfUFI0uCv7sGrokIlfH5WoielpYvdUDSgcFp5jyFBhnMN5jP5k47zDawt7bzjTIfuz7JCGvl9TW1UN1eoLo4JdR6mmRizV65/s1600/IMG_0779.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFx6CvtXN6G1capJ1ZoAENz50Wt6VuwLQ8t-CErdtRdmYBwfUFI0uCv7sGrokIlfH5WoielpYvdUDSgcFp5jyFBhnMN5jP5k47zDawt7bzjTIfuz7JCGvl9TW1UN1eoLo4JdR6mmRizV65/s320/IMG_0779.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466695229293535106" border="0" /></a><br />Another one of the initial inspirations for me in the first weeks of my cardmaking crave was <a href="http://www.practicalpublishing.co.uk/completecardmaking/">Complete Cardmaking Magazine</a>. Its Christmas 2009 edition was indeed a treasure chest for a beginner cardmaker like moi! This magazine always comes with a free CD with loads of designs and themes, and the paper and card topper that I used for the card above was printed from that very CD. I sent this card to my parents in law :).<br /><br />Lo and behold, four months on and a few more cards under my belt, I pulled myself together and am determined to get my crafting endeavors underway once more. I recently opened up shop on Etsy called <a href="http://februarylane.etsy.com/">February Lane</a>, and I am hoping to list new handmade cards and some craft supplies for fellow crafters very very soon.<br /><br />I must say at the moment I am very, very lucky to be living in Asia, where craft supply wholesalers are a dime a dozen, and that I have a very, very lovely mum who's always happy to help me source some strange materials from the corners of my hometown in Indonesia :). And have I mentioned that my office is a stone's throw away from the biggest textile center in Singapore, where fabric, beads and ribbons galore? Now, go figure how blessed a crafter I am!!<br /><br />And what could say a simple hello better than my own, handmade card?? ;) This is one of my mixed-media favorites: hessian (aka. jute aka. burlap) fabric topper that I bought from a fishing shop two shop houses away from my office, embellished with a needle felted applique. I needle-felted the daisies myself, and it was supposed to be a 3D daisy. But at the end I was too distracted by the new episode of 24 that I managed to skip the next 2 layers and made it into a 2D applique (LOL). I hand-shaped the word "Hello" myself using florist wire and ouch, did it hurt my fingers! But it was super worth it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2dZO1M_9mmyyl5yGnqUdX9BQIWk24GLu7sTOgc9mcmqAKVG17oz2XW1rVHW0IwhqOild6zUIzpcxicste32T5VdCnp4xdFYe3nkFHYeHw9BuWxIfD3OqhtZz4z0KEdDHX891x16zfmvQ/s1600/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2dZO1M_9mmyyl5yGnqUdX9BQIWk24GLu7sTOgc9mcmqAKVG17oz2XW1rVHW0IwhqOild6zUIzpcxicste32T5VdCnp4xdFYe3nkFHYeHw9BuWxIfD3OqhtZz4z0KEdDHX891x16zfmvQ/s320/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466697435959602322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02bJNPr1Xh06AWtdZjxmLao6ENpj755Ex61_pPIsa22I-mTvsIIP6YytnbOOJEk-9FckzYYeAmG3UFkcIrGW4XtNntPLo52SJDk2UePzPv1cweQd-s828D285mgCuN9XN_VE9-D16Dauk/s1600/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02bJNPr1Xh06AWtdZjxmLao6ENpj755Ex61_pPIsa22I-mTvsIIP6YytnbOOJEk-9FckzYYeAmG3UFkcIrGW4XtNntPLo52SJDk2UePzPv1cweQd-s828D285mgCuN9XN_VE9-D16Dauk/s320/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466697580982756674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWCsHFWgWE8_x7jrLelJHtk8FOz32T4-EIHaISnCl66jWdqu6FbSFnqJRA-IWjojU_J7aDG5x80JwEr-4htDy0Wvyc7Yqz9uiKL25411ZclJr8W1sEas-mkzU1C_sdLmH8MWn_4x9whFG/s1600/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWCsHFWgWE8_x7jrLelJHtk8FOz32T4-EIHaISnCl66jWdqu6FbSFnqJRA-IWjojU_J7aDG5x80JwEr-4htDy0Wvyc7Yqz9uiKL25411ZclJr8W1sEas-mkzU1C_sdLmH8MWn_4x9whFG/s320/DaisiesNeedleFeltSeries_Hello4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466697804737561026" border="0" /></a><br />So this card brings us to the end of today's post... I will try my best to post new stories in the upcoming week, to share with you a few of the cards that I made in the past few months. But as I do have a full time day job, please pardon me if I don't post regularly at times!! ;) See you!!<br /><br />Much love,<br />FFeby N. McCannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11945290874320704415noreply@blogger.com1