How to scrap the "not-so-great" photos...

So I had these "not-so-great" photos of the nephews playing a board game with grandma. The bright yellow board game was really very distracting. *winks*

Well, you've heard the expression, "Fight fire with fire." right? So I threw on more bright colours!

For instance, the bright red patterned paper mat gave the photos an "insta-lift" and made them appear a tad more interesting, right? [That's my story and I'm sticking to it! *hehe*]

Then I finished with a mix of different textures to add to the illusion of interesting photos. Did it work? *LOL*  

Playing along with My Creative Sketches.

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Exploring the "what ifs"

It is easy to slip into one's comfort zone and just work with elements that one is accustomed to. I, however,  love to make things "difficult" for myself by continually pushing boundaries and exploring the "what ifs". *winks*

Like working on a different colour palette. Or picking out the "core" elements and then exploring ways to tie a design together. "Forcing" yourself to do just one thing different each time you work on a project is a great way to grow artistically. :)

Hope you find time this busy season to nourish your artistic soul. Happy weekend my friends! :)

P/s: This mixed media canvas was created for The Crafter's Workshop.

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Food confession...

I have a confession....my phone photo gallery has more food photos than people photos. Seriously. *winks*

They get their 5 minutes of fame on my Instagram account...but I thought it was about time they get scrapped. So that when I'm old I can reminisce about how food used to taste like when I had teeth! *LOL*

Notice the strategically placed brads [the round ones and the ones with words] in the main photo? 

They are there to form a "pocket" so that I can pull out the top and bottom photo. :)

Playing along with Let's Get Sketchy.

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Someone's got a new friend...*winks*

So my sister got herself a new "friend" - a scooter!

Of course I was excited about documenting this only because I have been hoarding this scooter fabric badge for the longest time! It would have been perfect if my sister got a pink Vespa but she's so not a pink person. *LOL*

And yes, these photos were staged. Check out my sister's facial expression in photo #4. [Yes, a scrapbooker's family member always has to re-enact a "scene" right? *winks*]

Playing along with Stuck?! Sketches.

P/s: Have you entered my gift box giveaway and my mixed media canvas giveaway?

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This black box filled to the brim with embellishments is for....[insert your name]

I love the classic black boxes I get with corporate gifts because I get to reuse the boxes and redecorate them the way I like. :) [Okay, sometimes the gifts inside are quite nice too...*winks*]

I applied Liquitex black lava medium with The Crafter's Workshop stencil. This medium dries glossy so it adds a subtle sheen to the finished product.

It got a little too dark for me so I added chipboard butterfly in silver with a pop of green from the satin bloom.

I've filled this box to the brim with my fave embellishments....[stuff I've been using on my mixed media projects this year] and would love to give this away to one lucky person. Just leave a comment on this post by Tuesday December 16th.

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A Christmas gift box using a packaging box and Christmas cake decorations for Xyron.

One of the best things about the holiday season is the gift-giving. I love the sheer delight on the recipient's face when they receive a Christmas present. Today I'm sharing a simple gift-wrapping idea using a packaging box and decorations from last year's Christmas cake. Read on for the quick tutorial. :)

I started by measuring and cutting American Crafts glitter cardstock to fit the top and bottom of the Clinique packaging box. The pieces were then ran through the Xyron 9" Creative Station for an even application of adhesive.

Next I gathered my embellishments from last year's Christmas cake along with some gauze and adhered to the box with Xyron/Teresa Collins Clear Hold Adhesive.

Can you tell that the gauze is supposed to be snow? *winks*

Of course, it wasn't glittery enough so I had to add some Golden gold mica flakes! *LOL*

We're celebrating 30 days of awesome holiday projects at Xyron! :)

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Thanks Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine!

As you may have heard, Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine is shutting its doors. :( A group of published paper crafters and manufacturers are participating in an epic blog hop to say thanks and bid adieu to the magazine.

I still remember the excitement of receiving the acceptance email from the editor Susan R Opel about my card being published...because I couldn't believe how lucky I was to have made it on my first try.

Here is the card. Bet you can't tell I made this card right? Haha...I spent hours poring over a Paper Crafts and Scrapbooking Magazine to "determine" what kind of card I should make to increase my chances of being published. *winks*

That was 2011. And this is 2014. Totally different eh? *LOL*

If you want to be inspired by a huge group of paper crafters, please check out the following links for the cards made to thank the editorial group behind the magazine.

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Happy siblings mixed media canvas for Made With Love

So I finally found the stack of photos of The Gangster Gang [aka nephews + niece] that I printed back in August when I decided that I would use my fave photos on my mixed media canvases ...errr...better late than never right? *winks*

As I mentioned previously, I love the popup look so I always fussy-cut the silhouette and pop them up on 3D foam. 

I prefer to use black 3D foam to really maximise the shadow effect.

I did some stamping and stencilling on the background to add a little more interest to the Blue Fern Studios patterned paper.

I really wanted to use my red Petaloo blooms so I coloured the blooms on the patterned paper with Wink of Stella glitter pens to match.

I addd some subtle sparkly bits by using The Crafter's Workshop stencil with Golden Glass Bead Gel.

The supplies used on this 12x12 mixed media canvas can be found at Made With Love Singapore.

P/s: Have you entered my mixed media canvas giveaway?

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The one about Frankenmouse

So the other day nephew #2 took one look at the Santa Mickey Mouse container and declared, "Frankenmouse!"

Gotta love a kid's imagination, eh? Check out the photo of him pretending to eat Frankenmouse's brains! *LOL*

Still trying to get the hang of doodling....*winks*

Playing along with Let's Get Sketchy.

P/s: I was travelling last week...playing comment catchup this week! :)

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