My little cutie - Entry for MCS July contest

Finally, right before the submission deadline, I finished this layout for the July sketch contest.

The typhoon signal No. 8 was hoisted in Hong Kong yesterday and most of us gained a half-day holiday. Therefore I spared a couple of hours to work on this layout.

I picked a photo of my 2-year-old daughter, Hannah, when she was making a funny face during a lunch recently.

She's indeed my little monster and little cutie, a very active, naughty but smart girl.

This is a relatively simple and quick layout and I hand-cut our some flowers from various scrap pattern paper and match them with some fabric flowers and Prima flowers.

I punched a few butterflies using the MS Butterfly punch;

then used the left over paper pieces as "stencils" and spray over on the background.

Therefore you can see the shaded butterflies on the background of this layout.

Thanks for visiting!

Irene

The kissing sisters

This is supposed to be a last-minute submission for the March/April contest of My Creative Sketches. However, I was extremely busy on the day and finally missed the submission deadline. At the time I could do the upload, it is closed!

It's okay, and am still pleased to share what I've done on this LO.

This month's sketch is quite simple to follow, but, that's make it difficult for me to brainstorm what exactly I should do. Behind the scene, I've really tried different series of paper stock and couldn't find one that I'm really happy with.

Until one day, I saw a picture drawn by my 4.5 years old daughter, which has a rainbow on it, I thought that I should prepare a rainbow background myself, instead of using a pattern paper.

Therefore I used a stencil and inked some distressed ink over the background, layer by layer and the rainbow pattern appeared - and I got inky fingers too!

The picture I've chosen to feature on this layout is my most favourite shot of this month. I, just on my own, took my two babies one day during Easter, to Stanley in Hong Kong and spent 2-hours at the seafront. The girls were so lovely chit-chating with each others, looking at dogs, etc and they were very cooperative in posing for my photos.

They kisses and I captured the sweetest moment! How sweet is it?

The decorations on the layout were from everything, such as fabric roses, layered flowers but I dye them with colour spray; as well as some tiny accessories (i.e. the little birdies) I bought from a Japanese zakka store in Hong Kong; as well as the punches butterflies.

I really like the final layout and I am very happy with the background particularly - which was made ALL BY MYSELF!

Happy Scrapbooking!

Irene

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

The hand-in-hand Sisters

I confess I was too busy last month due to the change of domestic helper and missed the opportunity to submit an entry to the November contest of My Creative Sketches (MCS).

This month, I got a few days off in Christmas so I have been forcing myself to get one done for the December contest.

In early December, it was rainy in Hong Kong. I took a camera with me on a Sunday but did not go to anywhere fancy. We had to stay indoor so we went for a relaxing and some shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the tourism spots in Hong Kong.

While we were window shopping, my elder sister was so good to hold the hand of her little sisters. My little one started walking not long ago but she always loves walking on her own or hold my hand only, just for safely. That was the first time she allowed her elder sister to hold her hand.

I captured the scene and I said to myself I must create something out of this.

There are 1-2 sets of scrapbooking kits sitting there and I got no chance to touch them yet, I used the one I bought from HK Memory Chest November kit for my layout, Though I used only 1 piece of paper and a few alphabet stickers though.

Before adding anything to the page, I handmade a butterfly stencil by cutting off a a few butterflies using the Sizzix Movers and Shapers die; then I sprayed some colours on it. I love the effects on the background.

I also added a few Prima flowers and a two chipboard butterflies which I cut using the Sizzix Movers & Shapers die.

For the title, Sisters, it was cut by Sizzix Eclips Machine. I bought Eclips for almost 2 months but this is the first time that I really try playing with it... finally!!!

I used the ECAL software, chose the font type and type out the word "Sisters", added a Shadow, and it cut automatically. It's really amazing!

I used Cricut before and I sold it out because I seldomly use it, though I really like the cute graphics on most of their cartridges. Once I knew that Eclips enables to type and cut, as well as import an image and cut.... I made the decision and bought it, and I’m now happy with it.

Merry Christmas & Happy 2013!

Farewell Mini album for my domestic helper

We have recently changed our domestic helper.

Since my 1st daughter was 4 months old, my old helper Lani has been working with us. However she decided not to renew her employment contract with us as she is looking for a more relaxing job. So we took her for a farewell dinner at L Hotel Island South 3 weeks ago and presented her with my handmade album.

Since there has been lots of big changes within my family in the past 4 years, I feel so thankful and grateful for my helper's work and contribution in our family. She took care of my girls so well which make me safe to leave home sometimes to sort out other important matters.

I made this lovely house-shape mini album for her which contains some pictures of my two girls and the precious moments when she stayed with my kids.

Actually there are only a few pictures I've taken when my helper was staying with the girls. It is because I don't usually take my helper with me when I go out with the family. As I always want to take care of the kids by myself. Only a couple were taken last month in a occasion.

The MINI ALBUM is in the shape of a house, representing our family. It was die-cut by SIZZIX BIGZ DIE CUT, via Big shot.

I used the paper stock from My Mind’s Eye’sThe Sweetest thing,very clean and sweet series. The page size of the album is not very big, so I did not add to many decoration. But I used Kaiser Crafts 的 FINE & SUNNY COLLECTABLES,they have many choices of images like Sun, Flowers, Birds, etc. I stamped a few messages and I think they look great as a whole.

On her last day of service, I did not stay home but she reported to me over the phone that she's finished the handover with my new helper. However I still can't control my tear when I said thank you to her on the phone. 

I know she will be staying in Hong Kong and work for another family, but still.... am very grateful for her help in the last 4 years... keep in touch!!!!

September layout ~ Cute Hannah

We had a long weekend last week in Hong Kong to celebrating the mid-autumn festival (Full moon festival) and China's national day, which has given me a great productivity. I've been making 3 layouts over the week but one of them is still not 100% happy, so I'm only about to show you 2 of the layouts.

The following layout was done with reference to the September sketch contest hosted by My Creative Sketches. The sketch is basically comprising a few circles.

It's the first time that I trim my photos in round shapes, but they look really nice on my layout (I think!). I've picked 3 pictures of my little daughter, Hannah, which were taken at home few weeks ago.

Regarding paper stock, I used the series of The Sweetest thing (Tangerine) from My Mind’s Eye, I bought from HK Memory Chest, a well-known scrapbooking supplier in Hong Kong.

The sentiments and phrases in this paper stocks are relating to adjectives including sweet, adorable, beautiful... which are all ideal for any projects about girls. Personally I always think my Hannah is relevant to all of these adjectives. Don't you agree with me? : P

I added a few die-cut and punched butterflies in this project and I have embossed two of them.

Recently I'm in love with these flags

I put doilies and scallops behind each photos and they look perfect to go with round-shaped pictures.

The theme of this layout: “Do you know how cute you are? “ - I guess this is the feeling of every mothers towards their daughters, true?

August layout ~ 1.2.3. Smile

Being a new comer to scrapbooking, the quickest to get a great layout idea is referring to sketches.

Since my first layout was featured by My Creative Sketches July Contest, I'm encouraged to submit another layout for their August contest.

Again, not just for getting the prize but to motivate myself to do more nice layout!

1.2.3. SMILE.....!

This time I used a picture of my elder daughter, Anson, the picture was taken last year when I was still on maternity leave. She just woke up from bed, sucking with her thumb, but smiled to my camera.  I immediately pressed the shutter from the opposite direction, that's why the picture is up-side down, however, very adorable!

What a coincide! the concept match perfectly with my new, small, acrylic stamp set - Camera & the word "Smile"; I ordered this as well as various crafting tools from Joann.com earlier this month as my lovely colleague was visiting her brother in the States, she is so kind to help me to bring them back. 

I followed the Sketch of MCS' August contest, which comprises of 3 square-shaped in the background. However I did not put 3 paper square but creates those squares with different elements and textures.

One square was simply a paper square, I put it right behind the photo; 

the 2nd square on the top right hand corner was actually made of light molding paste, I applied the paste with the bricks stencils, so it gave an effect of 3D bricks background; 

the 3rd square was made of layers of lowers which I hand-cut from a nice pattern paper and it became a "Sea of Flower".   

I bought some nice decorating embellishments from Sham Shui Po, Hong Kong, where many crafting materials are being sold; I used a few pieces of sunflowers on this layout, as well as the wooden piece of die and leaves

This is from the 2 pieces stamp set - Camera & "Smile"

I love this so far and particularly I like the orange colour tone on this layout. 

Wish me luck for being the winner of the contest and thanks again My Creative Sketches to give me such a great idea to continue my momentum on doing scrapbooking. I think it's time now for me to work on another projects, SEE YOU!!

http://www.joann.com/

Really...my layout was featured?

Remember about 10 days ago, I posted my first ever 12x12 scrapbooking layout here, themed my two lovely daughters, Anson & Hannah.

I made that layout corresponding to the July contest of My Creative Sketches. Not just for the chance to win the prize, but to share my first piece of layout with other artists from around the world.

Finally, the result was announced ....I really can't believe my eyes that my layout was featured - http://mycreativesketches.blogspot.hk/2012/08/we-have-winner.html!!!!

I feel so proud and excited!!!!

I injured my neck yesterday and got serious pain till now. I read the result last night when I was on bed, I then struggled to stand up and show to my husband about the result. He was also shocked that my layout was featured : )

Thanks again everyone and My Creative Sketches for this big recognition and appreciation. I will definitely make scrapbooking becoming one of the important things in my life and will work harder to get more better projects done.

My 1st Scrapbooking layout ~ The sisters

Inspired by the July Sketch contest by My Creative Sketches, I have decided to do my first ever 12" x 12" layout. Not just because of the chance to win the wonderful kit, but to kick start my life in scrapbooking.

As a mother of 2 lovely girls, aged 1 & 4 respectively, I think I should start my first project with "The SISTERS" as the theme.

I picked a pictures taken last month when the elder sister Anson was carrying her little sister Hannah on her lap.

I've also combined a few different techniques including stamping and embossing, punching, die-cutting using Big-shot ~

These two hearts were die-cut using Big-shot + Hero Art Heart frame die; then stamped with the Hero Art Four hearts cling stamps - The stamps & die are compatible with each other. The hearts were then embossed in Champagne gold and Clear respectively.

I've also handmade a ribbon flower learned from a tutorial by Delaina Burns, Design Team member of My Creative Scrapbook. Plus, punched out two little sakuras.

The beautiful Silver glitter alphabets stickers from American Crafts.

I have downloaded a beautiful, vintage, poem printable from a website.

I've pretty happy with my first layout overall, though there are still room for improvement, what do you think?