Quick Christmas gift bags

Well, it's that time of the year again. When I go "shopping" in my cupboards and start wrapping up my Christmas gifts. Yep, I'm one of those who does my shopping for gifts throughout the year, rather than during the holiday season. 

This is also the time of the year when I clear my inventory of boxes that I've collected during the year (from consumer packaging). If the gift fits in a box, it gets wrapped up in the box. If it is odd-shaped, I have these upcycled Christmas gift bags handy. :)

This year, I'm sticking to traditional Christmas colours because I really want to use up these Photo Paper Play patterned papers. I did jazz this one up with washi tape, ribbon...

And glitter paint!

Of course, a little "bling" for the other bag.

Have a great week ahead friends!

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Chocolate spells love in any language...

So we celebrated yet another birthday in the Yam family. Nephew #1's birthday. Notice the same banner in the photo as when we celebrated nephew #2's birthday last month? Yep, it has been up for a whole month! *hahaha*

Since chocolate spells love in any language *winks*, I went with a chocolate cake. Evidently, the right choice judging by the beaming birthday boy. :)

Of course, the first thing the Gangster Gang (aka nephews + niece) asked was, "Where are the pigs?"

That's because I had previously showed them a picture of the Pigs in Mud Kit Kat Birthday Cake. Yeah, the fave aunt kinda "underperformed" here. *hangs head in shame*

But you know me...it was no basic cake - it was a 3 layer chocolate mousse cake! The kit kats were just there to hide my lousy icing skills. Seriously, icing a cake is really hard...so I always describe my cakes as rustic-looking. *LOL*

Well, the rustic-looking cake was a hit! *high fives all around*

And I did finally get a decent shot of the Gangster Gang using the classic works-all-the-time trick...."no chocolate cake for you if I don't get a nice photo!" 

Yep, always works. With chocolate. And cheese. 

Playing along with Stuck?! Sketches.

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The pile-it-on card

So this was one of those cards that started out really simple....at least in my mind...*LOL* But then I kept piling stuff on it.

Like at first I just wanted to incorporate the deer but then I thought it might get lonely so I added a bear (it's vegan!...hehe).

Then I added the twine and it called for some buttons...and then lace trim. You know how it is. *winks*

I tried stamping and totally screwed up so I added the wood token to cover it up. *Shh...don't tell on me.*

So there you have it, my pile-it-on card. ;)

Happy week ahead friends!

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22 ways to rock the grid-style format

A grid-style format  is my fave go-to layout format styles especially when I have to fit in a bunch of photos on a scrapbook layout. It is composed of a series of intersecting vertical and horizontal lines that help guide the eye across the layout in a natural way. We see this format in a lot of print advertisements and web pages.

Here are 22 ways to rock the grid-style format on your  scrapbook layout....

The one with a lot of brads

How to scrap the not-so-great photos

Someone got a new friend

One minute photos

Fun monsters

Follow the signs

A challenge to not get my hands "dirty"

Rice only?

The one about the shy guy

On a bus adventure

Want to win a shopping spree at Top Dog Dies?

Meet the master of disguise

Projects for Made With Love

Never a dull moment when these two are around

Happy miss sunshine with her milk-drinking pig!

The story about the cable car ride

The one about the clay dinosaurs

The story about the star tortoise

Funny story

The new playground

I love hanging out with the boys!

That sweet smile and flat nose

So there you have it, 22 ways to rock the grid-style format on your scrapbook pages. I know I cheated a little by tilting some of the photos to create more interest but for most part, you can "see" the grids. It is one of the most versatile layout formats you can use on scrapbook pages and it looks even better double-page spreads.

What about you? Do you enjoy the grid-style format?

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When I listened to a gold shiny object...*winks*

So the other day I was clearing out my old makeup and dropped a Guerlain travel-sized pressed powder on the ground. The gold shiny metal cover stared at me and pleaded, "Use me on a project...don't discard me!"

Now you know, when your art supplies start talking to you, you pay attention and do exactly when they tell you, right? *winks*

Plus, it's gold and shiny. You know I have a thing for gold. And shiny things. *LOL*

Of course, I have a stack of already precut cardboard tags all ready to go (yes, I'm guilty of online shopping *hangs head in shame*).

I adhered the houndstooth patterned paper to the cardboard base and distressed the edges for texture. I also used watered down gesso to tone down the colour.

I added a gold button and some Golden gold mica flakes to tie in with the focal point. I also worked in some of my Echo Park Paper letter stickers. The ribbon with the pearl was reused from retail packaging.

P/s: Do your art supplies speak to you??? 

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