CASE Study Challenge #175: Hello

Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Everybody is busy with their work and spring cleaning. So do I. No matter how busy I was, I never forget to make a 2-in-1 card (Birthday and Chinese New Year card) for my little god sister staying in Perak.

For this card, I got the inspiration from Donna Mikasa’s card in CASE Study Challenge #175.

Here's what I came up with:

I just loved the layout of Donna’s card, especially the slanted panel. Instead of embossing, I die cut a panel using Harlequin Die and layered it with orange flowery patterned paper. I followed the color scheme as well but I made a little twist on it. I liked my card to be in bright colors. I used orange as my base and black as an embellishment. To create the mood in spring, I added flowers and butterfly!  I die cut the sentiment ‘Hello’ and adhere it with foam squares instead of die cut it at the slanted panel. I dotted the outline of the sentiment to match the patterned paper at the slanted panel.

I made a small layout with 2 photos of us inside the card. I made a small panel with Chinese New Year mood as well. I didn't show the inner of the card because I was shy to show the photos and just to keep it for the two of us. Hehe…

I’m entering this card to

CASE Study Challenge #175

Happy Crafting!

Happy Chinese New Year for those who are celebrating!

Happy Holidays!

2014 14 GOALS

This is my first scrapbook layout of 2014 – 2014 14 GOALS. I came across the first challenge of My Mind’s Eyes which was to create a project about 14 Things in 2014. This challenge inspired me to create a goals page. I think I set them as my goals instead of “resolutions.”  I think of those that are more realistic; else I’ll give up on them right away. Hahaha…

I used 80% of MME products in this layout. I used the patterned papers from COLLECTABLE collection. I wanted to keep this layout simple, fresh and sweet. I chose everything in pastel colors. I started with a photo of mine; I was breastfed Baby Hang in a cafe and a name tag which I created not long ago. Initially I planned to stamp or write my 14 goals in punched circles or in flags. I changed my mind after I found this Unforgetable “You Are” Charm Paper. I wrote my goals in the Hexagons, one goal in one Hexagon. For the title, instead of putting double '14', I made it into one. You can interpret it as my "2014 GOALS" or "2014 14 GOALS". 

I’m entering this layout to

My Mind’s Eyes January2014 Challenge - 14 Things in 2014

Chic Tags January 2014challenge – Goals

My layout also fits the challenge in Chic Tags which is all about our goals. Bingo!

Hope you like it! Thanks for dropping by! Happy Crafting!

Reflection of 2013 and Resolution of 2014

Reflection of 2013

Although it was already 14th day of 2014, it is never too late for me to look through my life in 2013 and make some new resolutions.

2013 was a special year for me BECAUSE I finally started to blog the this and that about my life! My first blog was in August 2013. Blogging helps me captured the beautiful moment in my life in the fastest way compare to Project Life.

2013 was indeed a wonderful year for me. I would say I have a relaxing first half of the year. I enjoyed my 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters of my pregnancy after a severe morning sickness. I ate and slept a lot. I craved for cakes. Indulgence with a piece of cake before bed was a must. This continued till the a day before I delivered. I really slept more compare to my first pregnancy. I just ’shut off’ anytime anywhere. Of course I had a great time with my Little Ze. Little Ze was slowly getting better from his terrible 2.

We enjoyed our life just the 3 of us. We went for Sandy Lam concert, birthday parties, shopping, hopping here and there for food and so forth. Most memorable one was the trip to Singapore. I requested a short trip before I delivered Baby Hang. I wanted to experience flying during pregnancy. That was our FIRST time flying with Little Ze. We let Little Ze to explore all different kind of public transports. We had our FIRST and memorable experience such as dining and swimming at the rooftop of the 57-storey Marina Bay Sands.

For the second half of the year, I started my motherhood for 2 boys in my life. Being a mum of two was is definitely not easy, especially with 2 very active boys. All my time was given to both of them. I hardly had my own sweet time. However, I felt that was the best I can give to them. MOTHERHOOD is just AWESOME.

We grew as a family of 4. We were doing a lot of things together. We continued having the activities we used to have but added more. We attended events such as Starbucks Lantern Festival celebration, Halloween Trick-or- Treat etc. We participated in the Run For Peace 2013, World Car Free Day celebration and numerous breastfeeding events and talks. We even hopped on to friend’s car and traveled to KL to participate in the record breaking “Largest Group Simultaneous Breastfeeding” without planning in advance. So adventurous and fun!

There was one thing I’ve nearly forgotten to mention. I started my 2^nd breastfeed journey teamed with Baby Hang after Little Ze’s 28 months breastfeed journey. I’m proud and happy that my 24 hours milk factory production is ON again!

2013 was a great year for me. I was chosen to be one of the i-angel ambassadors. It was my first product review and I managed to accomplish 3 missions in 3 weeks’ time. I was glad and thankful that my effort being appreciated and I was being chosen as the Best Ambassador. I received a gift from i-angel. Thank you!

I learned to be more patient, firm and matured. I learned to control my temper (still trying to improve). I learned that life is indeed UNPREDICTABLE after my dad suffered heart attack. I was blessed that my dad recovered and he is doing well now. I learnt to appreciate every single moment with my love ones. I considered myself a lucky one as I had a very supportive beloved family and great friends who always care of each other.

2013 was a challenging but was a year full of INSPIRATION for me. Although I was occupied with my 2 boys, I was thrilled and delighted that my family and friends gave me the chance and inspire me to create. I learnt to arrange my time and challenge myself to CREATE and CRAFT which make me happy. I’m just a beginner who is still searching for my own style. Well, I will find my way one day. I believe that I can create more nice paper projects in future. Most contented was my first ever Layout created in my life being featured in one of the challenge!

I was blessed with lucky stars as I won a few giveaways and challenges. I hope I will win more in this coming year.

Overall, 2013 was a fruitful and delightful year!

So what’s next for 2014

14 things that I wish to have:

More SLEEP

More MUSIC

More NICE FOOD

More COOKING

More COFFEE

More BOOKS

More CREATING

More WALKS

More LAUGHTER

More HUGS

More TRIPS

More FUN & LUCK

More LOVE

More ORGANIZE

I will try to blog more so that I can keep track and be more up-to-date of my life.

CAS(E) this Sketch #59: Happy Birthday

I have quite a number of relatives and friends’ birthdays fall on January. Today, I wanted to show you the card I made for my cousin brother who just take off to overseas for his study. It was a challenge for me to create a masculine card. The cards that I created were more feminine with flowers and butterflies.

Then and there, I came across CAS(E) this Sketch #59 and being inspired by DT's creations. 

Here’s my card:

  

The outcome was in cute side but at least it looked a bit masculine. I decided to use the layout from CAS(E) this Sketch #59. I don’t have any feather stamps or dies. However, the feathers inspired me. I was thinking that I should include something related to nature with birds in my card. Yes, tree with leaves and birds.

Instead of ordinary solid base in the front of the card, I tried something I never done before. I die cut the front of the card and make it see-through the inner of the card. I added the sentiment and leaves instead of feathers. I replaced the button and twine with enamel dots. To cover the joints of the card, I added scalloped blue strips and clouds on top of the card.

For the inner of the card, I used distress ink (broken china, peacock feathers and peeled paint) with water. I dapped my acrylic block to the ink and transferred it to the white card base. Then I stamped the tree and leaves. Bird wood veneers were added.

I’m entering this card to

CAS(E) this Sketch #59

This is my first time playing in CAS(E) this Sketch.

Happy Crafting!

Jay's Birthday & 5th Wedding Anniversary

08.11.08. Another memorable date to remember. It was Hubby Jay’s birthday and our Wedding Day.

I know its already 2014 but I still want to backdate and blog about it. It was our 5^th Wedding anniversary.

5 years ago, we held our Wedding Reception in front of 520 relatives and friends, themed ‘In the Enchanted Garden’.

5 years ago, it was our Wedding Day. We had our wedding tea ceremony and we had relatives and friends witnessed both of us exchange rings.

5 years later, we had two boys to celebrate with us. They always keep us occupied .    

Imagine: 

5 years ago, our room was clean, organized and nice newly-wed room. Now, the room became a baby room, nappy change room, play room, store room, living room…… a multi purpose room.  However, our boys made both of us laugh and cry. They were so adorable and have enriched our life.

***

Recently, Little Ze keeps on watching our wedding video every day. He can memorized the whole video, what happen next and so forth. He made the money we spent on videography worth back in value. Oh my goodness, I was even skinny compared to the size I was during our ROM. Luckily Little Ze could still recognize me. While watching the video, he kept asking where he was. We told him that he was not born yet. Now, whoever come to the room while he watching the video, he will tell them he was inside his mummy’s tummy!

***

Well, we did not celebrate our 5^th Wedding anniversary because four of us fell sick. Initially, I planned to cook special meals from breakfast till supper as a unique way to celebrate our anniversary, instead of spending money to dine in restaurant. Well, I managed to prepare a birthday breakie for Hubby Jay. It was a healthy breakfast made with LOVE. The breads and eggs all served in Love-shaped. Salads, stir-fried mushroom, oranges and tomatoes were served as side dishes. 

After that, we were busy and also not feeling well so we did not manage to prepare other meals as planned.  However, one thing we did not miss is the birthday and wedding anniversary cake! Let's have some flash back before I proceed.

5 years ago

Wedding cake cutting during wedding reception.

I gave Hubby Jay a birthday surprise.

Birthday cake cutting during wedding reception. 

Jess and Bumble Bee gave Hubby Jay and I a surprise. 

They specially handcrafted some sweet treats for just the two of us!

5 years later

I ordered a special cake from Chantilly Cakes. Mango Charlotte – This cake was a very special cake. 

It was a cake with mango and rice. Rice? Yes, rice! You never heard anyone bake cake with rice, are you? Sounds weird! I never heard that before until Jess introduced it to me. It was like mango served with ‘pulut’ but it was a cake! Yummy! My Little Ze and Baby Hang stayed awake to wait for cake cutting and to taste the cake.

After that we were so busy and we did not plan for further celebration. Most importantly, no matter what happen, as long as we love each other more and more, understanding each other more and more, we will  have a happy and healthy family, that’s the greatest gift of all!

By the way, I just gave Hubby Jay his birthday present yesterday. Actually I prepared the present before his birthday but I dragged till now. 

I think it became Birthday + Wedding Anniversary + Christmas  + New Year present. One stone kills 4 birds! Hahahaha…  very economical too..  Hahaha, just joking.

Happy 5th Wedding Anniversary, my dear Hubby Jay!

Happy Birthday to you, Jay!

Just Add Ink - "2013" A Year in Review

Over at Just Add Ink this week the design teams are sharing their favorite project created in "2013". I’m joining the fun and share my favorite 2013 project as well. It was great to take time to look back and see my handy work for the year.

I had lesser crafty time compare to last year as I just gave birth to Baby Hang and most of my time was being occupied by my two boys. No matter how busy I was, I just can’t live without papers. By the way, I had 50 cards, 4 layouts, 1 mini album and other paper creations like paper Christmas tree, wrappings, tags, birthday cake toppers and so forth in 2013. It was very difficult for me to choose only one, as different ones appealed for various reasons. I love them ALL!

Well, I've decided on this one because it seemed that I successfully ‘grow’ a pot of nice flowers. This was my first attempt to make a flower pot card. It could be displayed in our home during the season of spring. I love the arrangement, the colors, the flowers, the wood butterfly and flourishes. I just love the outcome of this card. I made this card during my 30 weeks of pregnancy, before I flew to Singapore for vacation. Actually I specially made this card to my beloved god sisters who stayed in Singapore, as a thank you gift during my comfort stay at their house.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Crafting!

Little Ze’s First Celebrated Christmas

Christmas 2013 considered as a very special Christmas to my family. It was Little Ze’s first celebrated Christmas.

Little Ze learned the months of a year by remembering the birthdays of our family members. However, none of our birthdays falls on December. Little Ze wondered and curious when I told him Christmas falls on December. He had no idea about Christmas. Later, he came across a book talked about a cat look for his Santa Claus. From there and then, I knew it was time for me to introduce him about Christmas. Well, as what I mentioned in earlier post, I was super busy during Christmas season. In the very last minute, I tried my best to squeeze my time to think of some cute festive traditions that can keep the magic going but yet simple and easy to prepare.

Handmade and Decorate a paper Christmas Tree

First, I made him a paper Christmas tree. I let him punched the circles. After I completed the tree, he helped to ‘hang’ up the Christmas tree topper.

Write to Santa

“What you wish to get from Santa?” I asked Little Ze. “I want a little red car”, he replied. Funny! Red was not his favorite color. Later, I realized he actually make the same wish as the cat which mentioned in the book he read. 

I told him that he had to write to Santa Claus. I involved him to make a card. He chose a few washi tapes from my collection. I cut the washi tapes for him and he pressed down the washi tapes. A blue star was added at the top of the card. I helped Little Ze to write his wish and addressed it to Santa Claus, The North Pole, Greenland, and then I told him I’ll post for him. Too cute! 

Christmas Party on Christmas Eve

We had a last minute Christmas party invitation from a friend. We had a pleasant and wonderful Christmas Eve. We really enjoyed as well as Little Ze. 

My family turned to Christmas mode. 

We were in red and white.

Games for the kids

Baby Hang wanted to have some wine!

We had delicious and tasty food. 

We had quiz session after food.

Hubby Jay won 2 vouchers from the quiz.

Look at Baby Hang! Stand steadily in happy Koko's arm.

Gift exchange session after the magic performance by the host's children.

Ladies night? Mommies night? 

These mommies had fun while the others had their Karaok competition.

Fill the Christmas Stocking

I hung a Christmas stocking at the end of Little Ze’s bed after the Christmas party and filled it with a little red car so that he woke up to a delightful surprise. My aunty and cousin helped me to buy the stocking and little red car as I was busy and no time for shopping. Thanks, Ladies!

On the Christmas Day

Little Ze woke up in the morning. At first he was blurred. After we hinted him to look at the bedhead, he was surprised. He was happy when he saw the little red car. Now, whenever you ask him about who gave him the little red car, he will tell you “Santa Claus!”

During the day, while I bathed Little Ze, I suddenly wanted to listen to Christmas songs. You guess what my Little Ze replied when I told him that? “Mummy, I play ‘Jingle Bell’ by Micheal Bubble for you after bath!” Oh dear, he knew Christmas songs! I was thrilled and my heart melted. 

In the evening (after work), I indulged my Little Ze with his favorite, chocolate ice cream. I served the ice cream with Cranberries and home grown Mulberries 桑椹, banana nut crunch, waffles and stick biscuits. Yummy!

           

We got a few Christmas presents. We unwrapped the presents after Christmas. Thank you all for the lovely pressie!