ChiNeSE neW YeAR - TaKe 1

This year, we celebrate the beginning of the Rabbit year on 3 February. This gives me an excuse to try my skills at oriental-themed cards. :) Also, it is nearly impossible to buy adorable Chinese New Year (CNY) cards in the UK.

Previous attempts at CNY cards have always ended in tears. Hopefully, this year will be better. Let me know what you think.

So, I have decided to use cherry blossom as my main theme this year. This is because cherry blossom always remind me of CNY. Additionally, it was used to decorate my wedding banquet recently. So there is an extra sentimental value. :)

(Image taken by Jenn of http://www.stormfront.org/)

 My cherry blossom flowers are hand-folded according to origami, as shown in WonderHowTo. The papers used have been a present from a great friend. I finally manage to use the papers appropriately. ;) I think the cherry blossom flowers turn out quite well. What do you reckon? I have glued a button as the pollen center, adding an extra dimension to my flowers.

 So, my first CNY card is very simple. I stamped my stem using Hero Arts 'Thank You Flourishes' stamp set in Memento 'Bamboo Leaves'. Then, it's all about sticking - the cherry blossom flowers, my scalloped wish card and a red wire butterfly for extra oomph. Tada... Pretty and simple...

The second CNY card is even simpler - more dashes of red (just like the spirit of CNY) - keeping it elegant yet a hint of difference. :)

So that's all for today. But, don't worry. There are more CNY cards to come - as I do send a few out each year to the special people in my life. However, unfortunately, this year it'll be arriving late as I am behind schedule. Oops! :) But, better late than never, right? :) Hope you enjoy the post! Happy CNY! Gong xi fa cai!

bOyiSh BiRthDaY...

I find card making for boys/men a great challenge, cause my cards never seem manly, or bloke-ish enough to me. A colleague celebrated his birthday yesterday. He loves football and cars. So, I decided to go with the football theme...

I had some paper (from American Crafts Page Kit Baby) left over from a scrapbook project last year. So, I rounded its corners and used it as a background on my A6 blank white card. I recently bought a set of sporty clear stamps (by American Crafts Champ) - which would go well with the football theme in mind.

The trophy (stamped with Memento Tangelo), winner foam hand (in Clearly Better Lilac) and football (in Memento Bahama Blue) were elevated using foam stickers onto cream cardstock. The 'happy birthday' sentiment (in Memento Tuxedo Black) provided a double birthday cheer - in line with the sporty cheer theme. The whole arrangement was then accessorised with a satin yellow ribbon (from Dovecraft Creative Ribbon) and large midnight blue button (from Whirligig Bag-O-Buttons) to finish off the sporty look.

I think the card turned out quite well - definitely boyish. It is a working progress... one step at a time and... perhaps one day, there will be a manly card being made... :)

GeeKy girlY BiRthDay...

Yesterday, a friend had a birthday celebration with a geeky theme. She loves 'Big Bang Theory' and all things princessy. So, I made her the following...

I used my Cuttlebug "Happy Birthday" embossing folder to emboss birthday wishes onto a yellow cardstock, which I then adhered to a A6 blank white card.

Then, I tied a polka dot ribbon (from American Crafts Premium Ribbon) around the centre of the card, followed by a stuck-on scalloped circle (cut using Go Kreate Concentrics die).

Finally, on goes the geeky owl. The owl was cut using Go Kreate (Owl #2) die and possesses joggle eyes (from John Lewis). The glasses are hand-made using floral wire to finish off the geeky look.

Tada... What do you think?

The 1st pOst...

Hello... and welcome... This is my 1st ever online post... Highly exciting... yet a bit unsure...

When I first moved to UK a decade ago, I was looking for a hobby to keep me entertained. Had a few knitting and cross-stitching projects, as well as played with origami and jigsaw puzzles. Even tried marshalling at car rallies... I know - a bit random. :)

But last year, I found my passion - papercrafting. Quick projects which challenges my creativity each time - allowing me to share them with my family and friends. So, ever since then, my papercraft kit and collection have been growing and growing. And now... I decide to take the next step... to share my stick n' stuck passion with the online world. 

Hope you'll like it!

Gracey :)