12x12 Layout | My Amazing Hero

Hello dear crafty folks! Soon it will be July, and we will all approach the second half of 2018, how fast does time flies!

A while ago, I have shared a Father's Day layout as Made with Love DT, and I had some papers left over, so I thought I would make another layout (or 2 or 3. you will see.)

This is the layout I came up with, using the papers leftover from the Pink Paislee Paige Evans - Pick Me Up Collection. I think you really might see another layout really soon. After all, I can't be biased and just post layouts of my dad all the time right? *grins*

Fun stuffs really happen when my dad is in the house. I find him very cool, doing things people his age generally do not. Then again, my dad's surname is Koo so how can he not be cool? (Silly joke with my surname because it rhymes *LOL*) He is always so obliging, no matter how odd it might be. This photo was actually part of a video, and in that video, we were asking my Dad to hang on to the bars and hold still for that few seconds.

I also did some random grid stitching, just weaving straight dotted lines in the midst of the embellishments. I wanted some irregular texture to the rigid grid layout I was doing.

I am not a fan of writing on layouts. Usually I whip out one of my typewriters and type a message. This one I did it on the pattern paper before attaching to the layout. Honestly, my memory is quite bad. Even though this was taken in Taiwan in March, I had already forgotten about the date or place. I had to go through my gallery of photos and view the date and place it was taken. If you really don't have anything to say, just a date and location will do wonders when you flip through your album 10 years later.

Hope you get inspired, get your materials and some thread, layouts are that easy to make (and enjoy!!)

Materials used are available at Made With Love.

Made With Love B2-08, 313 Somerset, Orchard Road Tel : 67337630 Facebook |  Instagram

Supplies Used:

Pink Paislee - Paige Evans -
Pick Me Up Collection

WRMK Typecast

MR DT: Cards | Celebrate and Thanks

Hello roadies! I am on the Mayaroad blog today with 2 cards to share. These 2 cards are inspired by this gorgeous Mayaroad die - Geometric Hexagon Die. 2 cards with 1 die - how awesome is this die!

Here is the first of the cards, using the positive die-cut. I cut several pieces of the die-cut with white cardstock and arranged them in a geometric fashion.

Each of these hexagons are actually a layer of 2 pieces of die-cuts to enhance the texture of the background. Since I was going to be using white on white cardstock, I needed the background to have some form of texture.

Then I added the silver foil die-cut on top of the existing white cardstock die-cut. The silver foil star came from the die-cut, I just cut along the edges so the background does not look so plain. 

To complete the card, I added some wood shaped star buttons and a sentiment from one of my favorite stamp set, Rose Garden Sentiments using silver ink on black cardstock for contrast. Finally, I added some printed vellum sheet and attached the card front to the base with adhesive foam. 

This really excites me, especially when 1 idea leads to another. Before I know it, 2 cards are done with 1 same die.

This card was lovely to make. While making this first card, I found a second idea to use up the negative of the same die. Instead of throwing them to the bin, I decided to work with them, and here is what I achieved.

For this card, I picked up my distress ink and colored the background piece in peacock feathers color. Then I added some temporary adhesive to the postive side of the die-cut, and stuck it on the card base. Then I went ahead and pasted the negative portions with permanent adhesive. Once that was done, I removed the positive piece, arranged it next in place and repeat the same process again. 

Here was what it looked like after I was done. Then I went ahead to trim off the sides and matted it with teal cardstock.

I really loved how the shades of teal contrast with the white negative die-cuts.

For the decoration, I added some die-cuts from the floral die set. The florals act as a base for the wood tokens. I matched 2 different wood tokens layered one on top of the other and added some leaves acting as fillers and contrast from the base. The die-cut leaves are from the same floral die set and the stamped leaves are from Rose Garden Sentiments. To complete this card, I added some frosted transparency and banners peeking out from either side of the decoration.

Hope you get inspired with Mayaroad, have a great week ahead!

Mayaroad Supplies Used:

MWL DT: LO | LOL

Hello hello! I am posting as Made With Love DT today, sharing a stitched layout this time. It was Father's day yesterday, so today's post is really dedicated to my hero. Happy Father's Day, daddy! You are always my hero and first love *kisses*

When I started out this layout, I knew I wanted it to be in a geometrics theme. My dad is an engineer, he is also the one who had inspired me to be one. So when I laid eyes on Paige Evans' Pink Paislee Pick Me Up collection, I immediately got inspired by one of the papers.

Pink Paislee - Paige Evans - Pick Me Up Collection

What do you see from this paper? I literally saw diamonds jumping at me! So I took out my trusty scissors and immediately cut those shapes up, knowing they would well fit onto my layout. In addition, I did have them matted onto another pattern paper in the same collection just to give it a boost of contrast on the layout.

Oh, but I really had to add some more texture to the entire layout. Of course there had to be stitching! I decided to use another geometric design as the background, hence deciding to fill it up with a hexagonal/diamond pattern. Adding stitches adds a whole new dimension of texture and outlook to the entire layout, so I really love to add these stitches to my layouts.

Journal on your layouts! This is such an important part of layouts, but most commonly neglected. Most are afraid to write, but documenting memories really means recording the thoughts of the photo or layout. I use my trusted WRMK typecast for my journal purposes. It can take in 12" papers, and that is one big bonus for scrappers! In this case, I chose to cut them out in strips and adhered them with adhesive foam.

The title meant a lot to me. While acronyms are part of our lives, my father is trying to decipher the acronyms that commonly arise during our Whatsapp conversations. While the official meaning of LOL is "laugh out loud", my father really thinks otherwise. On one occasion, he asked what is the meaning of LOL, and he thought it was "lots of love"! Creative for sure! That is how LOL got its new definition and definitely something special between my dad and I.

To create the alphabets, I turned to my WRMK Mini Alphabet Punch! It provides me with easy access to title making, and also covers a good area on my layout, making it prominent.

I must say, I am really a fan of fussy cutting. I added dimensions on the diamonds with smaller diamond/triangle pieces from the same pattern paper. As the word fussy suggests, cutting papers in rough fashion, so there is really no stress about it. Trust me, even if there was an over-cut in the paper, no one will notice! That is really the beauty of scrapbooking!

Another element I love to add are vellum. They are translucent, so they create a whole new detail without over emphasis. To adhere, simply use glossy accents where the glue dries clear so the glue stains will not be apparent.

Nowadays, we are also lucky to be able to use foil and glitter paper onto our layouts! That little bit goes a long way, and it helps to highlight the details on our layouts!

Finally to complete the layout, I added some clear and blue dew drops. They fill up the empty spaces without over cluttering - that's why they are my favorite! (And I really must add, MWL has just recently stocked many different colors of dew drops!)

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there! Hope you have enjoyed the walk through of this layout! You can learn more about stitching on layouts at Made With Love, we have a new workshop "Stitch and Sew" coming right up in July!

Materials used are available at Made With Love.

Made With Love B2-08, 313 Somerset, Orchard Road Tel : 67337630 Facebook |  Instagram

Supplies Used:

Pink Paislee - Paige Evans -
Pick Me Up Collection

WRMK Typecast

WRMK Mini Alphabet Punch

The Robin's Nest Dew Drops

Sizzix: LO | Paradise

Hello everyone! How has the summer been? It has been really hot in Singapore, and I really feel that the temperatures are hotter this year compared to the same time last year. I found myself crafting more during this time (and of course in an airconditioned craft room!)

However, I did spent some time on my birthday/ our wedding anniversary with my husband, walking down the beach in Sentosa before dinner. It had been a while since we last stepped foot in Sentosa, and it was a nice lazy afternoon walking along Palawan Beach.

As usual, I like to document the important events in my life, and this photo was one of those special memories. I could not feel like it was paradise, and this Sizzix die-cut - Tropical Bird #662544 immediately came to my mind!

This die is such a beauty. I love how it came about as 1 piece, yet allowing me to layer multiple die-cut pieces onto one another. For this layout, I have used several diecuts with different pattern papers / cardstocks.

One way of showing dimensions is to layer a darker piece below the lighter piece. Here, I layered the dark brown die-cut below the green die-cut. It creates a shadow below the die-cut piece and helps lift the element of interest.

For the tropical bird body and florals, I merely followed the shape and cut them out. Then I re layered them on top of the green base.

This die-cut also features very lovely tropical leaves around the bird. I am always looking for leaves dies. They are the best things to layer, and they fill up spaces beautifully without over cluttering. Here you can see the layers where the tropical leaves peek out from the pattern papers.

Even the florals are a beauty to layer!

For the title, I decided to go with the Sizzix Thinlits - Celebration Words-Block. I just picked out the words containing the alphabets in Paradise and cut them in black glitter paper to match the tropical bird. I also love to stitch on my layouts. Here, I am using an altered stab binding as the background to my title. That does look a little like the roof of a house doesn't it?

This layout came about pretty quick, and it was easy because I had the right tools on hand. I really love the Sizzix multi tool and the paper sculpting kit. If you hadn't already gotten these tools, you should! They are my best friends when I craft!

The Sizzix Multi Tool with interchangeable heads complements a wide variety of making activities. It includes a rubberised dual end handle with ergonomic grip allowing use of two heads at the same time. The Multi Tool comes with a distress head and craft knife and an end cap is also provided if single ended use is preferred. Simply twist and lock heads into place. I bring along my multi tool when I go out. It is always connected to the distress head, and this tool also acts as a thread cutter! (Also a great tool to bring along on the aeroplane! The blades are not exposed, so it is safe for flight travels.) 

My paper sculpting kit is always in use. Be it sculpting florals, piercing for stitching work, or fussy cutting, there is just always a need! Of course, having the right combination of colors is an added bonus!

Hope you have enjoyed the walk through, and that it inspires you with ways to use your dies! Do check out the Sizzix UK blog and instagram for more ideas! While you are at IG, also check out #mymakingstory for even more inspirations!

Sizzix Supplies Used:

12 x 12 Layout | Prima Havana Collection

A while ago, we (Jasmine, Aida and myself) had a gush of ideas with the Havana collection by Prima Marketing, and we thought to do a layout with the same papers. All 3 of us has very different styles and it was so much fun to come together and attempt this!

Instead of just one layout, I did have my "gotta-use-up-all-the-papers" moment, so I went for 3! It was therapeutic to just go with the flow and using what I have. Creating layouts give me much relaxation and inspires me to move further on.

Here are the 3 layouts:

This was fun, and I look forward to more soon! (Perhaps after I clear my craft room!)

Supplies Used:

1. Prima Marketing: Havana Collection