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

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:

Sizzix: Card | Hoot

Hello! This week I have been blessed with Sizzix UK dies and I can't wait to get my hands working on them! First thing I had to work with was the Sizzix UK bigz die - owl.

This sweet little owl has taken my heart away! The assembly of this owl was simple, all it required was the correct tools and it is done in a matter of seconds.

Yes, this set of Sizzix accessory is my best friend when it comes to paper crafting. The right tools can really help save tons of time in the assembly and glueing process.

I decided to go with a sliding panel card, so the owl will pop up when the receiver slides the card panel. This owl does deserve a good limelight with a pop up mechanism!

This card also stores flat for mailing so I don't have to worry that the elements get flattened during mailing. Working on this card took a short time, and sometimes card making is easier when you have the right elements right in front of you.

Thank you for joining me today, and be sure to check out the Sizzix UK blog or Sizzix Lifestyle Instagram for more ideas!

For my local friends residing in Singapore, the dies are available at Made with Love  whilst stocks last!

Supplies Used:

MWL DT: Album | Dream & Explore

Hi everyone! How has March been for you? I am feeling refreshed after a week long holiday with my family, and now catching up with my work. Before I went on this holiday, I thought of making an album for my parents as we rarely get to go on a trip together.

I wanted to house as many photos as it could in one album, and I was right to think of that - we took over 1500 photos in this trip! Gosh, thank God we are living in a digital era. Films would have been expensive!

After some experimentation, I made some adjustments so a pivot swivel card could be used in an album format. What do I mean? Well, I will be getting to that soon.

Here is the album I have made as Made With Love DT - a paradise and travel themed album using Kaisercraft Havana Nights Collection. This collection is gorgeous! Not only does it have the bright elements, it also has the geometrics to match up!

Now let's flip the pages! I am always intrigued with albums with some moveable elements, and this pivot swivel mechanism was the fun thing to make! As the pages open, it unfolds a series of pop up page in a swivel motion.

There you go! Each page consists of this special swivel element, and I bet my parents will not only be thrilled to see the photos but also play around with the album!

Here is another page with the same construction. I left enough space for some journalling, and still debating if I should add more photos!

Materials used are available at Made With Love.

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

Thanks for joining me today and hope you have enjoyed the walk through for this project! Time to get your hands working for a travel album! 

MWL DT: Workshop | Scrapbook Basics

Hi everyone! Today I am up as MWL DT member, sharing about one of our workshops - Scrapbook Basics. This workshop is very close to my heart. It is also what got me hooked to scrapbooking and documenting my daily life right now.

14 years ago, I was attracted to a beautiful shop named Made With Love. On my first visit, I remembered feeling lost, because I did not know what to buy nor how to get started. The projects on display were so pretty and I really hoped one day I could do something like that. So I took the first step to attend a workshop - Scrapbook Basics (previously known as Just Getting Started).

Yes, stepping into the workshop then was probably the best choice I ever made. That was the start of one project to another, and it led me to where I am now, teaching the very same workshop which got me started. I am a true believer of 2 things - foundations and practise. Foundations provide a base of information, and practise brings one to greater levels.

Scrapbook Basics covers 3 important sections to aid your journey into scrapbooking. 

Firstly, introduction of tools and essential scrapbooking terms. How did scrapbooking come about, and why we scrap? What is the difference between a scrapbooking shop and a stationery shop? What do we need to start making a layout? In this first section of the workshop, we will cover the necessary terms and items to get started.

Next, how do we get started with a layout? What makes a layout? What styles bring out the photograph? How to highlight the story you want to tell? In the second portion of the class, we discuss composition guidelines, and how to get started on a 12" x 12" page. 

Last but not least, the workshop isn't complete until you give it a try! Nothing beats having to try out what you have learnt, and the hands on practise will allow you to understand the theory learnt.

At Made With Love, we prepare you for what comes next. Be it scrapbooking layouts, mixed media work, altered art or album making, this first step will help you embrace your next part of the creative journey. 

Scrapbook Basics Workshop costs $45 for 2.5 hours of informative and fun experience! Products and supplies are provided for this workshop, just bring along 2-3 4R photos.

Check out the workshop samples which are on display in the store! Made With Love is located at B2-08, 313 Somerset, Orchard Road Tel : 67337630 Facebook |  Instagram

Thanks for joining me today and have a great CNY week ahead! 

MWL DT: Dreams~ [Secret Belgium Binding]

My upcoming workshop Made With Love has gotten me thinking. The experiment with a variation of the secret belgium binding had been so fulfilling, so I really wanted to vary this method of binding again! Today I am sharing a new hand stitched album on Made With Love blog, after exploring this secret belgium binding a little further!

I wanted to make this album for my little niece Sophie; she is growing up way too fast! Seeing her on the day she was born warms my heart. The first collection which came to my mind was the Pink Paislee "Oh My Heart" collection by Paige Evans! This collection has packed a lot of fun elements and I totally can see how Sophie would love these colors!

Now that I have the stitch and papers in mind, the next thing to decide was the album structure. I commonly get inspired by Sizzix dies, and of course, this was no exception! This time I chose to use the Sizzix Eileen Hull's Scoreboard XL Die - Caddy Bag. Sure, it was meant to be used as a caddy, but who says it can't be turned into a pocket album? Eileen Hull has a great collection of dies which can be used in different ways, check out her other Scoreboard XL dies in Made With Love! (Another of my personal favourite is the Flower pocket XL die. That's another die which could possibly turn into another album!)

Here is a closer look at the secret belgium binding. This binding method is beautiful. This time, I altered the front stitches so they look like a branch out / arrows, just to add some fun element to the front cover. 

How can you not love this collection? There are a number of puns in this collection, and I love how witty they sound! This was one of them, and I had a good laugh over it. Most first time parents would know how their weekends and weekdays are fully booked! It always seems that there is no time except baby time~

Each of the pages had a pocket, where I filled them up with tags. Additional photos and journaling goes onto these tags - you could use both sides of the tags if you wished.

This is my best friend for making tags! The We Are Memory Keepers Tab punch board has made our scrapbooking lives much easier, just a few steps and viola, you get the tab all punched out! 

This was how I assembled the pieces from the die-cuts - using the Xyron Creative Station Lite. I am using the 5" refills. Album making just got a whole load easier with this machine! The added benefits - running the pattern papers through the machine gives an awesome sense of satisfaction as well!

I had fun with this album, and hope you enjoyed the walk through! All products used are from Made With Love, thanks for dropping by my blog today! 

Products Used:

Pink Paislee Paige Evan
- Oh My Heart Collection

Xyron Creative Station Lite

Sizzix Eileen Hull
- Caddy Bag

We Are Memory Keepers
- Tab Punch Board