Closing 2008 with a Confession...

This will be my last post for 2008.
I had a good year. Learned plenty of things along the way.
I have had no regrets.I had a few major achievements this year which I am proud of.
I should thank God for giving me a good year. I will do it tonight.
I am closing 2008 with a Confession.
Yes, I am a self confessed scrapbook addict.
I am happy with it. No worries at all. Lol!!
Here is a layout I made confessing my addiction. Lol!
But I have included SB.com's "Got to love those flowers" challenge too in this layout.
3 or more flowers and a torn paper are the rules of the challenge.

I received my parcel from 123scrapbook.com
and I loved the Bo Bunny Beautiful Life collection papers.
Just love the blend of colors and the distressing.
I decided to use 4 of the papers in the Beautiful Life collection for this layout.

The 123 scrapbook blossoms flowers also coordinated very well.
Thus I gathered all the stuff that would go well with my layout,
while watching Mission Impossible III last night.
I should say, I like Tom Cruise in MI series.
Today, I am going to watch a new bollywood movie staring Shah Rukh Khan.hehehe!!
I am getting distracted.Lol!!
I wanted something new in this layout. Something I haven't done previously.
As I was going through my stash, I found graduation stickers.
I saw the certificate scroll and stuck with making a scroll idea.
I made the scroll by tearing a paper and distressing
using Tim Holtz's Brushed Corduroy and Spiced Marmalade inks.
Then rolled and tied it with jute. I curled both the edges.
Ta Da.. the scroll is ready!

Here is the closeup

I also liked the punch distressing Irene Tan had done in one of her new layouts.
I decided to give it a try. I did not want it stand out but blend with the other papers.
Repeation will draw our eyes to it anyway!
I have therefore done two punch distressing, one below the other.

Here is the closeup

Here are the list of materials I have used in this layout:

1. Base is Brown cardstock from Bazzil
2.2nd paper layer is from Bo Bunny Beautiful Life Paper
3. Bo Bunny Beautiful Life Blessed Paper
4. Bo Bunny Jardin Poppy Paper
5. Bo Bunny My Darling Blooms Paper
6. Flowrs from Green Tara and 123 Scrapbook Blossoms
7. Silk leaves from Green Tara.
8. Prima Say it in Crystals Small Black.
9. Lace and the flower ribbon from my stash.
10.Title diecut alphas from stash.
11. Kindy Glitz Slick white.
12. Bo Bunny Beautiful Life cut outs.

Although it is stinking hot here, I like the warm colors in the layout.
Journalling is me confessing I am a self confessed scrapbook addict.
Yes I am!! Not a day goes by without scrapbooking.
So as well confess.lol!!


Ok then its New Year Eve here.
So I would like to wish you all a Very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009.
Have fun and be safe.
I will catch you all in 2009.

Bye

I am not bossy....., I have better ideas.

Made this layout today using a sketch by Krista from SB.com.
Once a while I like to make bright cheerful page. This is one of them.

"I am not bossy..... Sid, I have better ideas".
I heard my daughter say this to my son recently during an argument.
I mentally noted it. Ok!! definitely to be scrapped!!lol!!

Materials used in this layout are:

Scalloped Green cardstock from Bazzill
Autumn Leaves Rhonna Ferrer paper.
Pink Paislee Pop Fashion Bell Bottoms paper
Pink Paislee Tinsel Town 34th street paper
Pink Paislee Pop Fashion Accent Black Press ons
Pink Paislee fashion Script Alphas
Heidi Swapp Flowers-Black and Pink
Bella Chipboard flower black.
Kaisercraft Corner wooden flourish
Prima Say it in crystals black small.
Kaisercraft Green Pearls
Versacolor Pink, Green and Black inks for distressing the edges of the paper.

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I am not feeling well. Feeling weak after couple of visits to the loo!
Yup, diahorrea.I think it is because I had coffee and mid morning tea.
I usually do not have the mid morning tea. Lactose intolerance...
Hope it stops now!
I got to clean my pantry today. My DH said he will help me out.
Can't afford to fall sick when such offers are provided.
Rarely does such things happen.
I can let him do eveything but I cannot find what I want!!
Am being cheeky here!! Lol!!

Weather is hot here. I mean HOT.
Don't feel like venturing out at all.
But so boring sitting at home all the time.
There are some nice bargains happening in the stores.
I have to buy some baby stuff for my brother's baby due early next year.
Got to move.... that is if I can!!!
Otherwise not much happening.

Have a good day everybody
Hugs

A SPECIAL AWARD

Shell has created this award and presents it to blogs which stands out. This award also comes with a RAK. I received it along with Nat and Sharon. OMG!! I am honored, truly. Thanks Shell.
I will treasure it always.

What a great way to start the New Year. I am over the moon. lol!!! Very happy.

Shell also gives RAK for people who subscribe to her blog. So pop in and subscribe.

Hugs

My dearest Sweety Pie.....

I have noticed it.
Yes, it is in my father, I have seen it in my FIL as well.
Definitely in my husband too.
All these men share a special bond with their daughters.
Whatever things their daughter do is admired and rationalized.
I am happy lol! My father does. I have a special bond with him.
"Nothing is dearer to a father than their daughter".
I wanted to scrap this for a long time.
Finally I did after I got a nice photo of my DD with my husband.
When i go home mid next year, I will take a photo of myself and my father
and make another layout.Lol!!

I also received Pink Paislee Tinsel Town papers, from Aussie Pub Calls.
They are so pretty, love the colors and non traditional christmas papers.
What I like about Pink Paislee papers are that the strip
where the details of the paper are written is actually on the top of the paper.
So actually you do not have to cut it off. It will stick out in the album.
Perfect, to pull it out or by keeping them you know what paper they are. Lovely.

I do not celebrate Christmas. But I wanted to use a few of them.
Anybody willing to swap couple of Tinsel Town Christmas papers (ones with snow flakes and christmas trees) with non Christmas papers?
I am happy to do. Let me know.

I used a sketch from SB.com to make this layout.
All papers used here are from Pink paislee.
Pink Paislee Tinsel Town, Office Lingo, Vintage moon.
Flowers and leaves from Prima
Bling from Kaisercraft
Stamped images are from Autum Leaves Single Stamps.
Black Ribbon from my stash
Oh!! don't you love the pom pom ribbon. I love them. They are from Bazzill.
Tag was from our Tag swap at Debs
Alphas are from Rosa Moka

Here are some closeups:

Hugs

Happy New Year 2009

Hi everybody,

Lazy weekend and it is very hot to go out and enjoy.
Poor kids, they had sunburn yesterday when they went out and played.
So they are stuck inside the house, playing Wii.
I am on a creating spree sitting at home.
I have made another layout which I cannot show you right now.
But will be displayed in Tanyah's Blog next month.

Since New Year is approaching very soon, I wanted to make a card.
I was intrigued with this new technique called Shaker Box. Many of you would know about it.
I wanted to give it a try and use if for my New Year card.
I read about this Shaker Box in SB.com

So, here is my first shaker box card.
My stamping on a transparency is not very good.
A bit blochy!! But I still like the idea of Shaker box.
Those sequin inside will move!!



Wishing all of you and your family a Very happy New Year 2009.

Hugs

ATC cards...

I made this ATC as an example for trading ATC at Debs. I basically love the idea of ATC collection. A great way to make friends and own the cards made by them.

Many of you know what ATC ( Artist Trading card) is!
But for others who do not know what it is?
It is basically like the sport card collection.
The size of the card is 2.5 inches to 3.5 inches
and you write your name, blog and email ID at the back.
What you create is upto you but you use a theme and make a set of cards.
You call them Editions. You can give them number or name and write it at the back as well.

Anybody interested?
If so can you email me using the contact envelope on the right hand side of this blog.
Once we reach atleast 5 interested persons, we can start it off and people can join in as when they are interested. I will email details after I get 5 interested persons.

Hugs

Another Blog award

I received this award from Kath Parker. Thanks Kath. I am honored and really appreciate it.
I have already spelt out my addictions!
I would like to pass on the award to

1. Lexie
2. Tracey
3. Shell
4. Kirsti
5. Mandy

Blogs of these people are fantastic. Love to read them and very talented scrappers too.

Hugs

A general card and some sneak peek....

This is a card I made using Basic Grey Stella Ruby paper and a vintage photo of a girl. I have distressed all the edges of the papers using Heidi Swapp edge distressor and inked with Versa Color Pinecone and Camelia inks. Ribbon from my stash.

I experimented making a vintage style card. Not too bad I think.lol!!
I would like to use watercolor and stamps next to make cards.

I have done couple of layouts and cards as part of my Guest DT for Tanyah. It will be up in her blog next month.There is a step by step for a layout too.
I am so excited and looking forward to it.

Here is a sneak peak..





Thanks for stopping by

Hugs

Wishing you all Merry Christmas 2008

Blog Awards

I have received another Blog Award from Heather. Thank you Heather. Appreciate it so much.

I would like to pass this award to 7 of my favorite bloggers from Challenge Chics.

1. Sharron Dalton
2. Chris W
3. Skye
4. Angie
5. Vicki
6. Nat Williams
7. Elle

All these ladies blogs are fantastic. Love reading their blogs. Check it out. Trust me, well worth it.

I also received an award for the 4th time. This time from Sharron Dalton.

Thanks Sharron. So honored.

Hugs

Gayatri

Pigtails...............

On the weekend I had the chance to visit Scrapbook from the heart-the shop in Canning Vale, Perth.It was huge and to see so many papers and embellishment, I was lost.
I was overwhelmed to be honest. But I managed to pick up few papers.
One of them is from Creative Imaginations-Marah Johnson, Voyez en Arriere.
I so loved the colors in the paper.The crown in the corners were beautiful.
The other paper is also from Creative Imaginations-Signature Collection, Style page.
I loved how it had the old wornout look to it.

The photos are of my DD with her pigtails.
I was going through some old photos with her.
She wanted to have pigtails done like how she had it on an photo!
So these are pictures of Aditi with pigtails.
She was so happy posing and felt special.


I made this layout for Deb's challenge #4.

THE CHALLENGE IS TO CREATE A LO USING A THEME OF SOME SPECIAL EVENT THAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER THIS YEAR 2008!-A BIRTH, A WEDDING, A SPECIAL BIRTHDAY- TURNING 18, 21, 40 ECT.

YOU MUST HAVE STAMPING FEATURED ON YOUR LO AS WELL AS FLOWERS!!!

THERE ARE NO OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON THIS CHALLENGE..SO GO FORTH & CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU ALL COME UP WITH!!

Other papers used are from Basic Grey-Timeworn, Precious,Fossil and black paper.
Flowers are from Bella, Green Tara, Maya Road and Prima.The leaves are from Petaloo.
I have also used Kaiser Green Pearls,Rhinestones and golden ribbon from my stash.
Stamps are from Kmart and stamped images on green and burgandy paper are cut
and inked on the edges using Versa Color Camelia and Pinecone ink.
I have also stamped on either side of the title. I so love those stamps.
Alphas for the title is from American Craft Vinyl Thickers.
I have sanded the edges of the photo.

Some closeups..

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs

Gayatri

Tough Love........

Its Friday today. Nearly end of the week. But past middle of December. OMG! time flies!!
Its end of the year already!!! I just can't believe we are heading for a new year.
Wonder! what new year brings?
I have a few things planned for new year, some goals to be achieve.
I am not the one who takes any resolutions, because it does not last very long for me!
Many of my friends do and they keep it up too. They are very determined persons.

Anyway, I was going through my kid's photos from previous years and saw this one above.
I still vividly remember, Siddarth was very happy to have a younger sister
and will all the time cuddle and kiss her. This was 4 years ago.
Aditi, on the other hand, would just runaway because its all rough and tough cuddle and kisses.
As you can see in the photo.lol!!

Now its taken a reverse turn, Aditi loves to cuddle and kiss Siddarth.
And he, is 9 years now, has this "girls stay away from me" attitude.
Its very funny. He loves to play with her, chases away big boys who pick on her at school
and misses her when she goes to her friend's house to play
but will not cuddle her or give her a kiss.
It is very nice to see them grow, change and bond with each other.
This is definitely the photo I need to scrap. Journaling is very important.

I have used the December Basic Grey Sketch to make this layout
and used Basic Grey papers Archaic-Rusty, Timeworn, Fossil,
BG Urban Couture ratine paper and Ambrosia Chip Sticker Shapes.

Other materials used here are Green Tara flowers,
Paper doily from my party supplies at home,
Versa Color Pinecone Ink, American Craft ribbons, Bella Heart shape,
Pink Paislee black alpha stickers, Kaiser Rhinestones and A-z Scraplet word "tough".
I have used double sided foams for all the top layers to bring 3D effect.

Here are some closeups for you.

Well, I am off to Perth on an urgent trip to buy some Indian groceries.
In the town I live, there is no way I can get any such thing.
I have to drive 630kms to buy Indian groceries.
I have runout of many stuff. I need to stock up. See you all on Monday.
Have a good weekend. Drive safe. I know I will.

Hugs

Gayatri

My way, slow and sulky!

This is something I wanted to record for my DD's album.
Her being slow and sulky. Not all the time but at times. When she is in this mood, it is difficult. Thats all I want to say!!!. Most kids will have their difficult time as well I guess!

I have used fancy pants Papers for this layout.
I love the background paper. Its fancy Pants Crush Devoted paper.
The photo does not do justice to the paper. It is much more antique linen color.
The other paper I have been using is Fancy pants True Pure paper both the sides.
Some black paper from stash. All distressed using Heidi Swapp edge distressor
and layered using double sided foam.

Actually I wanted the 3D effect as I was doing one of Deb's 3D challenge
but I decided to add a smaller photo. T
he challenge requires only one photo either B/W or color.
I decided I will still make it for the album.

There is a flower from Green tara and rest of the flowers are stamped images
cut out in circles or as a flower and distressed using Versa Color Pincone and Camellia inks.
I have used one FP's ribbon under the photo and the ric rac,
diecut flourish and the fishy button are from my stash.
I have added Kaiser Green pearl in the centre of the flowers.
The glitter alphas are from my 2$ shop. I have made them darker and
therefore able to see clearly by dabbing some Brilliance Dew Drop Pearl Purple ink.
I do not remember which company the smaller frame and the tag belong to!
I think it is HeidiSwapp?Thats what happens when I throw away the cover.
Let me know if anybody remembers which company they are from I have to tag the box.

Here are some closeups

Ok, I have been awarded thrice with the "Your blog is Fabulous" award.

Thank you Chris and Mandy.
I have already passed it on to 5 other fabulous blogs and wrote about my expensive addictions.
No repetitions. But I am very grateful to Elle, Mandy and Chris. their blogs are all superb. Love reading their blog too.

School holiday started. I have got some kids at home to play with mine. So off I go. Will catch you all later.

Hugs

Gayatri

Special Bond

I made this layout, primarily using Pink Paislee papers. Harvest Moon from Vintage Moon range and Bottom Line from Office Lingo range.
I have then used black card stock and some white card stock for drafting the embellishments.

Deb has a drafting challenge in her forum. So all the embellishment in the layout should be drafted. Basically, tracing the pattern and cutting them out and using as embellishments. I have drafted the flowers, the hinges and the swirls on a white card stock, using negatives from Bella chipboard shapes and cut it out. I then used Tim Holtz's Distress inks-Brushed Corduroy, Spiced Marmalade, Worn lipstick and altered the cutouts.

Photo of my children with their grandparents (my in-laws),
taken in San Jose during our recent trip to US.
I love this photo because, they are seeing their grandparents after 2 years
and there was no hesitation upon seeing them.
They just went spoke to them as if they see them every other day, sat on my MIL,
hugged her, asked for food, went to the local park with them.
I was surprised. I think they do share a special bond
with their grandparents in spite of living so far away.
The first year of my DD and 2 years of my DS, we lived as a joint family.
The special bond they had formed then is very strong.
Love it. I am so happy.
We miss not having any family here for us.
But going to see grandparents is only a 10 hour flight away
(including the stopover at KL or Singapore).

Oh got carried away.. I punched holes on one side of the photo and distressed them.
I have distressed all the edges of all the papers using Heidi Swapp edge distreser.
I have layered all the embellishments using doublesided foam.
I have used Kindy Glitz white to highlight the flower and Prima black centrepiece.
The semi circle on the left top is also distressed on the edges
and Black kindy Glitz is used to highlight the circles.
The centre small circle is from Pink Paislee Harvest Moon paper
highlighted with a Black rhinestone.
Alphas are from American Craft Vinyl Thickers,
also altered using Tim Holtz's distress ink.

Here are some closeups.

Thanks for stopping by

Hugs

Gayatri

Blog award....

I got his award from Elle. I am so honored. It was a surprise actually. Thanks Elle. I love to read Elle's blog because, she just writes everything that happens day to day. I like the simplicity in her posts and her photos are lovely.

so for the award:
1.You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs.
2.You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions.
3.On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link back to their blog.

Now coming to the hard part, 5 fabulous addictions.

1. Shopping: I cannot come home without buying something when I visit a shop. Most of which is useless or I just treasure inside the cupboard!! Shoes especially flats I cannot resist.
2. Love diamonds: I have a set made out of 22ct gold from India. I wear the ring and earring everyday. I will definitely buy more during my next India trip.
3. Coffee: I cannot live without good aromatic coffee in the morning. It just does not kick start my day without a strong aromatic coffee. So I have recently bought an expensive coffee machine.
4. Cooking: Love to cook. Try different recipes but vegetarian one only. I do not like to eat leftover food, even the ones cooked in the morning. I make 2 meals everyday from scratch and the breakfast and afternoon tea as well.Spicy food is my favorite, be it Indian, Chinese, Mexican.... whatever.. Even pasta I got to make it spicy.
5.Crockery: Yes, I love collecting old crockery and I love spice set and racks. I have some 4 different spice sets and rack that I do not use. I have a small cupboard full of spice set crockery which is being used.

Expensive addictions hun!! Gosh!! I just realized it too!! lol!!!

The 5 fabulous blogs I like to present this award to are

1. Irene Tan
2. Sasha Farina
3. Leeann Pearce
4. Jolene Pienaar
5. Tanyah Payne

I found all of them blog hopping. They are great inspirations and I regularly read their blogs. All of them have different styles and their work are all fabulous. I adore all their work.Tanyah's blog has plenty of step by step by and beautiful layouts from her designers. Love the whole idea.

I am cleaning my house today. Halfway through the cleaning.
Got to go back. Will catch you all later today.

Hugs
Gayatri

Nintendo DS....................

Nintendo DS......, I guess, most of the kids' favourate. My son is also hooked to it.

Its like, if my son is on DS, my daughter burried in books and my husband in cricket,

they will never know if the house is on fire or even if I collaspe!!!!!

You can see from the photos that he did not even know I am taking photos of him!!!

I had to scrap these photos.... Definitely!! lol!!!

I wanted to make a double layout as I had 5 photos like a series

and I hate crowding photos in a single page.

I took a sketch from Basic Grey.

Here is the link to the sketch is here.

I also wanted to used Basic Grey papers for this layout. I love Basic Grey papers.

I wish they had double sided papers. But I still love their papers.

Anyway, I have used BG, Erroneous, Delicious and Timeworn papers.

Flowers from Heidi Swapp, Petaloo, Bella and Prima.

I have also used chipboard shapes from Basic Grey Wassail and Ambrosia.

Large alphas from my stash and the small one from Basic Grey Recess Nanoset alpha stickers.Lace and ribbon from my stash.

Just a simple double layout focusing on the photos and journalling.

Here are photos of individual pages.

I am waiting for the school holidays to start. Today is the last day of school and my last day at work too. Then I am off (a huge grin on my face!!).

My son has kindly accepted to swapp his 5 draw tall boy to my cube shelf. But I have to rearrange his room thats the deal. I want to hide my scrapbooking stuff because my place is always messy. So I will be cleaning massively tomorrow and then time to scrap. yay!!!

I have been doing paper work for the whole of 2 months at work sorting out other people's mess. I have just completed it and everything sorted. Guess what? my department gave me surprise morning tea and a thankyou address for my work. Wow!! I was very surprised!! Did not expect so much. Anyway, nice to be recognised at work.(smiley face).

Ok,Will see you all in a day with something new.

OH! sorry, Although I do not celebrate Christmas, I would still like to wish all of you and your family a Merry Christmas. Be safe, have fun and eat a lot Hey!( eat for me too!!).

Hugs

Gayatri