Birthday Cards

These are some of the birthday cards that I've been working on a my friends.

I've cut open a window in the center of the first birthday card and I've used a transparency to cover it. The words are written inside the card.

On the second card, I've used the masking technique to create a border frame all around the front and the back of the card. All the words are hand written.

Meaningful Confetti

This is actually a post that's inspired by one of my blog reader. I was asked through an email about "how I chose my confetti for my ornament shaker boxes?".

I know that a lot of times scrappers just used confetti that suits the theme of the shaker boxes ,the colour choices or simply what they have in their stash.

But in my ornament shaker boxes, I've chosen those confetti based on a different concept. These shaker boxes are for my christmas paper clips project and it's designated for some very dear friends of mine. Therefore I've designed the shaker boxes to have a hidden message in the combination of confetti I've used.

If you've read about my post on the ornament shaker boxes, you will know that I've used some red beads, some white stars and some gold hearts confetti in the shaker boxes.

The red beads represents "love", the stars represents "star" and the gold hearts represents "my heart". The hidden message is actually "Love you for being a star in my heart".

That blog reader of mine were surprised to find out about that and totally love the idea and thought that I should post it for everyone to read. Therefore, I hope with this post, everyone could put a little love or meanings into your choices of confetti and have more fun in creating your shaker boxes.

Confused

This is a layout of Chloe when she is ten months old. The inspiration for the title are actually from the reactions from everyone around her during that day. She was dressed kind of "tomboyish" and had sort of create some confusions on others of her gender. That's why I've named the layout "Confused".

In this layout, I've created a ghost clock flower. (Refer to "Using your Ghost Clocks to Layer your Flower" in my tips and tricks section)

I've hand drawn a large circle clock to create a kind of chronograph look. To accentuates the existence of the large clock, I've used the "Washed Layered with Masking" technique, to create some interest on the edges of the large clock. (Refer to "Create a Washed Layered Look with Masking" in my tips and tricks section)

I've hand cut the title and the monogram in this layout. The title is cut outs from a thin cardboard while the monogram is from a mounting board. I've covered all the cut-outs with various pattern papers.

In this layout, I've also used some corrugated papers to add some dimensions to it.

I've used a notebook paper to do my journaling this time. I've left the rings tear out edges on. I think it gives a more distressed look to it. I've used the crinkled and inked technique to distress the notebook paper.

I've not done a layout for almost more than three weeks and I hope I've not lost my touch here. Hope you all like this layout!

Create a Washed Layered Look with Masking

I've actually used this technique in one of my Halloween card and now it's on my latest layout titled "Confused" in my baby gallery. I call this the "Washed Layered Look". It's sort of a distressed layered look.

To create this effect, simply create your own masks from unwanted scraps of papers. In my layout, I've teared out a quarter curve mask where I will have a quarter circle teared edges to mask with.

Then using some distress ink or pigment ink with a rubberish cosmetic sponge, I've dabbed on the edges of the mask and slowly moving the mask as I'm progressing on the overall circle design that I'm working with. The masking on the teared edges gave it a "washed" look. In my layout, I've done three layers of such masking. This will give you that "layered" look.

It's such a fun technique and gives so much interest and depth to the layout! Try it!

Using Ghost Clocks to Layer your Flower

This is inspired by one of the clock that I saw on the new Window Vista. I love how they've designed the clock to be a flower. So I've thought of using the ghost clocks by heidi swapp to do this.

In my latest layout title "Confused" in my baby gallery, I've included a clock flower as above.

I've used a cheap fabric sunflower and stamped on it using a butterfly stamp to create a more sophisticated look. Then I've put a ghost clock on top of it. To create more dimensions to it, I've use a cut out circle from corrugated paper and a large polka dot brad.