A Mother's Pride & Joy

This is my latest therapeutic layout. I've been working on this layout throughout the night for about 5 hours. Things just don't seem to slow down and going in the right way at my end. Therefore, as a therapeutic measure, I've scrap this page hoping to dedicate it to all my readers who are moms or moms to be. Most importantly, it is also dedicated to my mom. She had been hospitalized with an emergency bypass surgery. It's just such a sad moment to be having all these things happened when Mother's Day is just round the corner. Anyway, I do hope that all mothers could feel at least a little love through this page.

Anyway, here are the steps t this layout.

1) I've used various stitching techniques to stitch on this page. As mothers do reminds me of one who always stitched up old clothes or quilt for their kids, I've decided to go all crazy on stitching in this page. I've used the two-tones zig-zag and cross-stitch stitching techniques here. I've added glass beads to it too.

2) I've also create a masking of a semi-circle on the bottom of the page.

3) I've used a grungeboard letter "a" on this page. I've first inked it using my sponge and later use a black soot distress ink pad to directly rub on top of it to raise the textures.

4) I've used some cranberry, oregano, expresso, meadow alcohol ink to create a marbled effect alcohol inked glossy paper. Later, I've cut out flowers out of it in two sizes. A good and kind friend of mine had cut the flourishes using her cutting machine and sent them to me. I've lightly inked them before attaching them onto the layout.

5) I've used the scissors technique and some inking to distress all the tags, photograph and the pattern paper.

6) I've attached a piece of inked paper doiley underneath the flowers and flourishes.

Lastly, I wish all mothers a very Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Sources: Card stock: Bazzill Basic Papers, Pattern Papers: Basic Grey, Ink: Ranger Alcohol Inks, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, ColorBox, Stamps: Making Memories, Autumn Leaves, Stickers: Phrase Cafe, Brads: MakingMemories, Others: Grungeboard, Zig pens, uni-ball signo gel pen, vellum.

How to Mask.

This is a post that had been requested by a friend of mine. She wants to know how to avoid ugly smudges or marks when doing her masking. First of all, whenever I do my masking, I always used a sponge. The sponge that you see in the above photograph is a cosmetic sponge where we would normally use to apply our wet foundation. It's triangular in shape. I've always dab the sponge on one edges into the ink. To mask, I've hand cut a self made simple template, place it on my card stock or paper with temporary adhesive. (I would advise that if your masking template is huge, use a temporary adhesive to hold it in place) (Tip: simply use a normal sticky tape and roll it in circle to create your own temporary adhesives)
To start masking, place the inked edge of your sponge on top of the template. This is to avoid too much ink on the masking. Using the portion after the edge to do the masking instead. This will soften the look of your masking and you will avoid any ugly marks. (Tip: Do not over dab your sponges with too much ink too.) I hope this will help any of my readers who also had the some problems while doing masking.

"Just for You" Phone Strap

This is just another little altered phone strap for a good friend of mine. The teddy bear , butterfly and the tag are actually "stamped images" sent to me by some of my friends. I just print them out onto card stocks and vellum and later cut them out. I've coloured the bear using my distress ink and add some embellishment and glitter to it. This is a very easy and fast project. Hope she likes it!

Boyish Girl

This is a layout about Chloe being always mistaken as a boy. Well, I could totally understand that as she has very little hair and is always so cheerful and boyish in character. The inspirations for the colours of this layout came directly from the photograph itself.

Here are the steps to this layout.

1. I've used quite a number of "stamped images" on this page which I've printed on vellum. I've added lots of glitters and details to it using doodling and embellishing it.

2. The circles on the left are actually "stamped images" printed on green vellum. I've masked a few sizes of circles too to do my journaling.

3. Instead of using chipboard or stamped flourishes around the flowers which I normally do, I've added some ribbon and rick rack. And I've also stitched part of the rick rack down just to add some colours there.

4. I've tried two different two tones stitching here. Firstly, I've done the zig-zag two tones stitching in white and green. Secondly, I've done some two tones cross stitching which I've use the "Add Little Beads on your Stitching" technique here. It's so much fun to hand stitched your layouts. It's not difficult at all. Here are some simple tips. Before to stitch, place a soft crafting foam underneath your layout and use a twizzer or needle to poke some stitching holes in advance on your layout. Then later you can easily stitch on your layouts without the hassle of having to poke through thick layers with a small needle.

5. I've added a hand drawn butterfly on some alcohol inked glossy paper to the layout too using some foam adhesives for dimensions.

6. I've used some chipboard brackets and alphas for the title which I've painted. I've doodled on the brackets and I've added crackle accents on the alphas.

To accentuate the meaning of how she is always a princess and so beautiful, I've added a tiara and quite an amount of glitters and bling everywhere.

Sources: Card stock: Bazzill Basic Papers, Pattern Papers: Scenic Route, Basic Grey, Ink: Ranger Alcohol Inks, Tim Holtz's Distress Ink, ColorBox, Stamps: Autumn Leaves, Chipboard: Fancy Pants, Basic Grey, Others: Zig pens, uni-ball signo gel pen, acrylic paint, crackle accents (Ranger Ink), vellum, sequins, flowers(Prima).

Add Little Beads on your Stitching

In the past weeks, I've received various emails on requesting ideas on using these small beads on layouts and projects. I've actually used them quite a few times in my work. I've tried using them to make small frames for a necklace, embellishing on flowers and etc. In my latest layout, I've tried to add them into my hand stitching work. I love the effect. It gives a more detailed look. I've also tried the two tones cross stitching technique here.