Family day at Gardens by the Bay - a double page spread!

The recent purge of photos from my mobile phone (to free up storage space) meant an abundance of family photos to scrapbook. Like these from a family day at Gardens by the Bay back in July 2019.

The photo quality wasn't the greatest because of all the additional indoor lighting and it was really really crowded. But the Yam family (all 10 of us) had a lot of fun visiting both Cloud Forest and Flower Dome conservatories despite the long queues.

I went with a kraft base for this double page spread and repeated several elements across both pages to ensure cohesiveness. As with all my double page spreads, the pages stand as single page layouts if they ever got separated. ;)

I really like using banners to unify pages. And birds of course...*winks at Julie*

And other cute fussy-cut critters. :)

I captured some fun photos...like my mum and sister taking a selfie...and nephews #1 & 2 looking somewhat happy. *hehehe*

And the niece debuting her new fake smile...*LOL*

Family time is such a joyful blessing. :)

Playing along with More Than Words. 

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A doggy from my sketchbook

So I took a break from the self-portraits and eye drawings to draw a doggy. Isn't he cute? *winks*

When I first started drawing, I did draw a couple of animals but it has been a while. So it was a bit challenging...which you know is totally up my alley. I love going out of my comfort zone because that's when you really learn something new. :)

Of course I didn't do my preliminary sketch using a pencil. I went straight in with coloured pencils. *You know, living on the edge! Hehehe.* 

It took a while but I had fun.  :)

What do you think?

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Flashback Christmas: Let's get into Christmas mode shall we? *winks*

Yes my sweet friends! That magical time is upon us again. Last year, I shared Flashback Christmas....20 ideas to get you into Christmas mode...how about a little update with some of the newer (and really quick ) projects I've made to really help you ease into the holiday season? *winks*

The reworked Christmas tree

Sometimes, all you need to do is refresh your existing Christmas decor to give it a totally different feel. Like this old Christmas tree I've had for years. I removed the pink ribbon, painted the existing ornaments gold and added a few more handmade/upcycled ornaments and transformed it into a really classy Christmas tree.

How to make a snow globe - tips and tricks (a tutorial)

This could be the year that you attempt to make your own snow globe. This one I made last year survived the year in storage and has been incorporated into this year's Christmas decor. If you have kids at home, this is a really fun project to do. :)

The upcycled Pringles can (a tutorial)

If you have been hoarding containers all year long, it's time to take them out and make them into cute holiday packaging...like this upcycled Pringles can. 

Two more quick upcycled gift boxes

Or these upcycled cardboard boxes.

A superquick gift bag

Let's not forget one of the easiest and most practical projects - the upcycled gift bag.

Tuesday Tutorial: A Christmas scene in a glass dome

Or try your hand at creating a Christmas scene in a glass dome.

Make Stuff Monday: Quick Christmas gift-wrapping using stuff you have at home

Remember to dig into your holiday-themed stash for your gift wrapping too!

Hope these projects have inspired you to get into Christmas mode!

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Guest designer this month at Let's Get Sketchy

Hello friends! This month, I got to join the lovely team at Let's Get Sketchy as their guest designer. :)

I went a little bold with my colours to really draw the eye to the photos.

Yep...Nephew #3's birthday. :)

I went in with lots of stickers and diecuts.

In case you were wondering...the cake was chocolate with cream cheese frosting.

Hope you can find time to play along with Let's Get Sketchy this month!

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Another Yam family birthday layout...:)

So I interrupt the Christmassy projects to share another Yam family birthday layout. Just a few more to go...;)

It was my brother's birthday on March 1st but we celebrated on February 28th because the baker (aka me) wasn't free on March 1st. Clearly if you want cake, you have to accommodate the baker's schedule right? *LOL*

This was the niece's "I hate taking photos" phase. *shakes head*

I really wanted to use this background paper so  I went in with many pops of colour to create visual interest.

I had some leftover bits of yellow cardstock from a previous project and I really liked the fun shapes so I incorporated them as they were...

Just 3 more birthday layouts to work on. I have another done for a guest designer gig next month. Will I be able to complete them before the end of 2019? Only time will tell. *wish me luck*

Playing along with The Studio Challenges.

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Tuesday Tutorial - a Christmas scene in a glass dome

So this project was totally inspired by a Christmas scene in a glass dome that I saw last week when I went festive shopping...

The price tag was a whopping S$49.90! Of course, the crafter in me thought that I could totally do this for a whole lot less. *winks*

Even though I was tempted to buy the glass dome base at Ikea, I decided that I probably could find stuff in my house that I could use. Like this glass dome with a cute birdie...and this metal candle holder that I've had for years.

I gathered some Christmas cake decor pieces and a brush tree...

And just hot glued them on the candle holder.

I added some LED lights and I was done! 

What do you think?

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Make Stuff Monday - a decorated Christmas tree

Hello friends! Meet this year's decorated Christmas tree! It's a gift for my cousin.

It was hard to find an undecorated small Christmas tree this year...they were way more expensive than the decorated ones. In the end, I went with this slightly adorned flocked Christmas tree. It had a couple of pinecones, berries and ball ornaments.

I added some fun felted reindeers...and some red leaves (from an old faux poinsettia plant) for a little more colour.

Then I incorporated this fun little "scene" as the center of attraction. Yep...those are Christmas cake decorations. *winks*

It looks really pretty lighted up....so tempted to keep this for myself....hehehe.

P/s: Sorry I couldn't get any photos in daylight. It's been rainy and gloomy here the last few days.

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