Wednesday 13 February 2013

Splash time... in Phuket

It's my 5th participation in the monthly contest organised by My Creative Sketches.

It's a really good drive to encourage myself to get at least 1 layout done in a month.
After seeing the January sketch, I thought it is quite simple but actually not!



We recently came back from our annual family holiday in Phuket and the weather was amazing, sunny and clear sky everyday. We have therefore tak en many pictures and some are great for doing layouts.



Seeing there is an unused kit I bought at the end of 2012 - Amy Tangerine Sketchbook, designed by American crafts, and being inspired by Kelly Purkey, who visited Hong Kong in end Nov 2012 and hosted a class for HK Memory Chest. I've decided to use the kit for this layout.

The Amy Tangerine Sketchbook collection features splashing colour, I love the contrast while putting each piece of paper together. 


I love the Indian-style pattern paper and I use it as a background. I sprayed some colour over the background, though the paper got a few colour drops originally.

In Phuket, we went swimming in pool. The picture I chose was taken from there and  a big portion of marine blue, which matches perfectly with the paper pad collection.


I cut out a few piece of textured paper and spray some blue ink over them, cut them in semi-circles and they became the splash... !


The Sun on the top right hand corner was from KaiserCraft's Fine and Sunny collectables, and the "Bring on the Sun" clear stamps set, by Ali Edwards also works perfectly with this layout.


I love this layout so much. By seeing this I can still feel the "Sunshine" and our happy time.

Thanks for passing by and visiting and I hope you like it too. 

Feel free to leave me with your comments too.

Cheers.

Irene

Thursday 7 February 2013

Handmade Chinese Red Packets




For Chinese, we have Chinese new year according to the Lunar (Chinese) calendar.
It's a tradition that all of us who are married to give away red packets to friends and relatives who are still single, as well as children. Each red packet usually carries some cash money.


These red envelopes are usually given away by shops or banks, but for me, it's the 4th year to make some handmade, personalised ones.




Red packets are usually given away in pair, i.e. we give away 2 envelopes to each recipient as we are in couple and both are still alive. 

I tried to be more creative this year on making these red envelopes, Besides embossing, I also applied other techniques including stamping, inking, etc.

I've also placed an order from Taobao, a China-based online shopping site (like eBay) for a few customised stamps. The one in the middle of the picture is "Wong", it's my husband's family name.

I have a funny thought that I wish recipients focus more on the art of handmade, rather than on the money inside! : )