MWL DT: LO | Singapore

Hello! I am back, posting as Made With Love DT today!

This time, I am sharing a layout done with Singapore as the theme. Afterall, National Day is coming right up, and amidst the celebrations, I wanted to do something for this special day!

I am proud to be a fellow Singaporean. No, it is not perfect, but Singapore has provided me and my family a safe place to live in. It has given me stability which I yearn for and a place I can call home. Being a regional engineer for most years of my working life, I have experienced many outstation visits, where life was hard and many systems not in place. It always made me appreciate home very much and never take anything for granted.

These 2 very beautiful drone photos (amongst the many beautiful shots) were taken by a very good and talented friend of mine. Eugene has taken so many nice shots of Singapore, inspiring me to get this layout done! Thank you Eugene for lending me these photos!

I started doing up this layout with 3 important parts - a flag, Vanda Miss Joaquim and of course the crescent and stars. These signifies our country very much, and I wanted to have these signatures in my layout.

For the flag, I die cut the Sizzix Bigz Die- Mosaic #661194 multiple times (4x4 format). Then I grabbed some white cardstock and embossed them with the Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder - Botanical #662716. If you have not tried the 3D embossing folders yet, you should! They give such delicate and pop up details! Our flag comprises of the red and white elements, so for the top half, I used a red pattern paper as the backdrop.

Vanda Miss Joaquim was all fun to play with! I must say that I felt really "allergic" to the color purple ha! However our Vanda Miss Joaquim does really deserve to be colored in the correct tone. I used Distress Makers and a thin paint brush for this. Check out this helpful Sizzix video on how you can make your own orchids for your layouts or craft projects! Instead of using the same dies as mentioned in the video, I chose to use the Sizzix Bigz w/ textured impressions Butterfly Embellishments #662442. They work the same wonders, have fun experimenting!

The crescent was cut using 2 circle dies of different size. The framelits are my most used dies. Basics are so important to any die-cutters - got to have some in your collection! To further enhance the white foil crescent, I ran it through with a swirl embossing folder. Textures are important for me on my layouts. One way to add texture is having embossed images. For the stars, I used the Sizzix Bigz Die - Stars #656339.

I have a few of the Alphabet XL dies in my collection, and I truely appreciate the ease of use for them. Today I am using the Sizzix Bigz XL Alphabet die - Typo in Upper Case #661198.

For the subtitle, I decided on a smaller font. I love this set - Sizzix Thinlits Holiday Block Words #660057 - the alphabets cut out individually, so you can always mix and match whatever titles you want! I use my xyron sticker machine to add adhesives to these small letters, and then adhere it onto a strip of cardstock. This helps me plan where I want to place the subtitles easily, instead of moving the small little pieces!

Have a great week ahead leading up to National Day! (P/S: We all look forward to that public holiday don't we? *wink*)

Materials used are available at Made With Love.

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

Supplies Used:
• Sizzix Bigz Die- Mosaic #661194
• Sizzix 3D Embossing Folder - Botanical #662716
• Sizzix Bigz w/ textured impressions Butterfly Embellishments #662442
• Sizzix Bigz Die - Stars #656339
• Sizzix Bigz XL Alphabet die - Typo in Upper Case #661198
• Sizzix Thinlits Holiday Block Words #660057
• Xyron 1.5" Sticker Maker

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

MWL DT: LO | Love

Hello crafters! Happy 2018! I can't believe it, 2017 has wheezed past so quickly, and I am writing my first blog post of 2018! Here's wishing all of you a blessed, happy and healthy 2018 ahead!

Today, I'm am inspired by the pretty Crate Paper - Good Vibes collection available at Made with Love! Just a walk around the shop gives me great inspirations!  

The elements and vibrant colors in this collection are gorgeous! I was so excited and nearly fussy cut 3 pieces of the pattern paper! Adding elements of fussy cutting does give me much joy. I find that the layout becomes less rigid, and the variation of shapes makes the layout look more alive. Here's a couple of the fussy cutting. I do them while watching TV or waiting for my food to arrive. After all, it's a much better activity to do than using the handphone all the time!

Another inspiration I got off from the collection was to use some thread / twine and hook them up so that they look like tassels all around my photo. To do this, I made use of the Sizzix Framelits Die Set 9PK - rectangles, dotted and die cut a rectangle. Then I used the dotted markings to pierce a hole and attach the thread.

Adding layers behind the photo helps to enhance it. Here, I've cut some tags from the collection and randomly added some fussy cuttings to accompany the layers.

Lastly, to finalize the entire layout, add journaling. I tend to forget the details of the photo after some time, so I make sure to add some details. Sometimes, the photo says it all, and in that case, I would add the date. Journaling is one of the most important detail for a layout, yet also the most commonly forgotten by a lot of people. I make use of my WRMK typewriter to do my journaling. It is not only a pretty sight, but also my favorite tool for layout journaling.

Supplies used are from Made with Love:

• Crate Paper - Good Vibes Collection
• Sizzix Framelits Die Set 9PK - rectangles, dotted
• WRMK Typewriter, Mint
• American Crafts Thickers

Thank you for joining me on this new year, hope you have enjoyed the walk through. Have a blast in 2018 and stay creative!

MR DT: Album | Joy

Hello! End of the year means joy to me as I start to prepare some gifts for my dearest family and friends! This is also the time I start humming Christmas Carols while I work on my projects ha!

Today I am up on Mayaroad, and would like to share a mini album of Joy, having a dear friend in mind. She has kept almost every vintage Christmas postcards and photographs, a collection she loves dearly. I thought it would be nice to make an album for her.

This album is covered with leather, then hand bounded together with secret belgium binding. This mode of binding is my favorite, because it can look vintage or fun loving depending on the thread you use. This time, I am using the jute craft string as the main element in this project. Gotta love this roll of jute craft string, I have to add some of these to almost all my projects!

The main focus on the album cover was the jewel center burlap blossom. I really liked this flower piece, it is grunge and elegant all at the same time! The only difference was that I used a plier to remove the jewel centre, so I could use them seperately as a splatter around my centerpiece.

I have used the KO vintage trims on this album. Since it was too white to my liking, I decided to add some coffee stains to it. It is really easy, just add coffee powder (no instant coffee mix, just plain grinded coffee beans) to water. Soak the trim until the color appeals to you.

I added the trims to the background in rows of different lengths, and also to the center of the burlap blossom. Just run a running stitch at the straight ends of the trim, and then tighten to form a rosette trim. To top it up, I added a snowflake metal charm. To add a title to the album, I started out with distressing on the remains of the shipping tags I had used previously. Then I stamped the word Joy and happy days with silver ink pad. These words are from the Homemade Holidays stamp set. Just for fun, I added a scroll tied together with the jute craft string and accompanied by the gold star pins.

For the pages I kept it simple yet with a little fun! These pull out tags creates interest for the receiver. I used the Manila shipping tags as a base, distressed with shades of brown for contrast. You can use these tags too! On a few pieces, I stamped the snowflakes  from the Homemade Holidays stamp set randomly on the tag. I have also added some jute craft strings here and there, and at the top of the shipping tag.

When slided, the shipping tag raises and disclose the photo that is behind it. I like this element of surprise for the receiver! At the base of the shipping tag, I have also added the coffee dyed trim and a row of the pearl center trim.

Here is how the slider mechanism looks like!

Hope you get inspired for Christmas projects with Mayaroad products!

Visit Mayaroad for more inspirations!

Website / Blog / Facebook / Instagram

MR DT: LO | Lucky

Hello roadies! I am Stacy and back on the Mayaroad blog with a layout to share. This month at Mayaroad, we are celebrating the love for twine.

As most of you already know, this is my staple product so I am very excited to share this layout today!

The first thing which inspired me was to crochet a flower for my layout. Any stitching work inspires me for layouts, be it crochet or stitching patterns. In this case, I made 2 flowers with a crochet hook and the jute cording twine. Then, I added some pearl buttons as flower centers to complete the flower. 

The pearl buttons comes in different sizes and patterns. I love them all! So I decided to add in some of the smaller ones as well. They fill in the empty spaces and gives a glamour to the page. Beneath the layers, I have also added some jute that hangs my layers and photo.

The photo and layers are clipped onto the jue string by the bulldog clips. Easy way to add a decor piece onto the layout.

Don't forget to finish up the layout with the wood hexagons! These are another must have - I am addicted to using these little ones!

Hope you get inspired to use up those Mayaroad twines you have in your possession and add a few more to your collection! There is so much more reason to do so when there is a 30% off for all twine purchases using the code "TWINETIME". Check out the twine collection here.

Have a great week ahead!

Supplies Used:

KO Jute Craft String

Jute and Twine Cording

Bulldog Clips

Pearl Flower Trims

Pearl Button Trims

Wood Hexagon