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

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: 12x12 LO | Joy

Hi everyone! I am on the Mayaroad blog today sharing a layout using my favourite resin products!

I had an impulse to dye my hair a different color. It was something on my bucket list, and I knew I had to jump on it one day!

Here I documented my journey of a loud teal blue hair colour. It was indeed a joy when I decided to be brave and give it a try.

I find it easy to decorate my layout with resins on my page. They come in many colors and patterns! First i selected the resins of my choice, then I started to assemble my layout.

The ornate resin frame comes in different colors and shapes, I do like to pair it with the resin flowers, or simply a wood token. 

New found favourites - cool grey resin diamonds! These are rather important in my crafting. They help to highlight interest yet simple so they do not take away too much attention. These beautiful resin diamonds are a must have! I used this to highlight my photos by placing them in row of 3s just below my photos, and it also helps to link to the journalling that I have right below them.

Another important element - turquoise sea resin mums! They too really deserve a mention! I must have used them across multiple of my projects; they can be used to highlight phrases, fill up empty spaces or used as a tiny flower resting in empty spaces between larger flowers.

Last but not least, I have used the geometric blossom diecut as a base and then layering the snow white nesting bird on top of it. Flowers, diecuts, wood all goes well with the resins. Oh yes here you can see another color of the resin mini mums! 

Today is the last day of the special deal for resins! If you have not yet top up your resin supplies, you should now pop over and make use of the promo!

MR DT: 12x12 Layout | BFF & a little home decor

Hello Roadies! I am back again on the Maya Road Design Team Blog [here] sharing a layout, a sweet floral deal and a little home decor which I had been tempted to work with!

For starters, I would like to share a layout on my best friend. I wanted to scrap this photo quite badly. We have been friends since schooling days and no matter how often we meet up, we always have something to talk about.

I chose a natural selection of colors in my layout, with one of my favourite tulle flowers as the main embellishment highlight.

The tulle flowers are soft and easy to match. I like to add some jute and the MR diecut leaves to layer with the flowers. Flowers are the main staples for me, they add a flowy and dreamy feeling to the layout, and can be used for a variety of themes.

To complete the dreamy look, I added some MR fabric trims and pearl trims to hide the edge of coordinating pattern papers. 

Layering paper flowers with resins are a favorite too! Try cording the stems around a piercer, and shape the stem as if it was the vines of the paper flower. I love adding this trick to my paper flowers, they give an added vintage look to it!

The kraft doilies gives a good background in this layout, and I later added a variety of Maya Road products for the layering! I have a feeling that you might see this cute envelope die cut and the resin diamond quite often in my layouts! These are absolute favourites, and they go hand in hand with the flowers in this layout! 

Hope you have liked the layout so far! Check out the fun items Mayaroad have on sale this month. Save 30% on flower products in the flower collection! Shop happy today! Be sure you use the FLOWERPOWER code at checkout!

Just because I got hooked with the flowers I was working with, here is another home decor project:

This is quite easy to accomplish, and the floral decor can be really used as a bag brooch as well. I first started by gathering the supplies:

Grab your glue, and start to build them up! I started off with the shimmering pointed petal flower as the main highlight, and layered the other items according to my preference behind the flower. Last to go on is the clip!

Next, I worked on doing some crochet with some crafting jute cording and the jute and twine cording.

Adding 2 different jute cordings give it strength and color shading. I always love a little hand crochet basket on my desk, holding my project embellishments or little items lying around.

I hope you like the layout and the home decor project today! Now do not forget to check out the flower deals at Mayaroad.com

Thank you for joining me today!

Supplies Used:
[Layout]

• https://mayaroad.com/products/geometric-leaf-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/small-vintage-paper-flowers-pink
• https://mayaroad.com/products/tu-tu-tulle-flowers-ballerina-pink
• https://mayaroad.com/products/tulle-mini-blooms-milk-white
• https://mayaroad.com/products/ken-oliver-vintage-trims-rick-rack-edge
• https://mayaroad.com/products/die-cut-kraft-doilies
• https://mayaroad.com/products/diy-mini-envelope-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/framed-sayings-kraft-pieces-white
• https://mayaroad.com/products/kraft-vintage-butterfly-pieces-black-bulk
• Made with Love Wood Buttons
• Diamond Resin
• Pearl Trims
• Jute

[Basket]

• https://mayaroad.com/products/mixed-mini-wood-slices
• https://mayaroad.com/products/shimmering-pointed-petal-flower-mauve
• https://mayaroad.com/products/embossed-metal-leaf-embellishment
• https://mayaroad.com/products/vintage-crafting-tassels-gold-cap-milk-white
• https://mayaroad.com/products/crystal-circle-buttons
• https://mayaroad.com/search?q=crafting+jute
• https://mayaroad.com/products/jute-twine-cording

MR DT: 12x12 Layout | Enjoy

Hello! Today I am on the Maya Road Design Team Blog sharing a layout & a really good deal in March for Maya Road Dies!

There are so many things you could do with the dies, be it cards or layouts or altered projects - and you could do that again and again! Dies are really fun, they give a different outlook with different materials too! This month, Maya Road is featuring dies and there are amazing deals for purchases of dies on the online store! 

Today, I am sharing a layout using Maya Road dies! 

Enjoy

Most friends who know me, know I really need that coffee in the morning before I start off the day. That cup of coffee in that photo is almost my schedule every day! 

I started off the layout with one of my staple dies - the Geometric Diamond Die! I really love all the geometric dies - these are super useful! In this case, I used it repeatedly lined on the background of my layout, then machine stitched them in place.

Do you have those wood tokens? Try adding them to the circular wooden embroidery hoop - that creates a good layering and a new embellishment look. Gold bulldog clips are a must have, it also acts as a good directional embellishment, creating focus to the photo as well.

I was very inspired by the Maya Road Enjoy Coffee die set! I can see endless possibilities to this set! Here, I chose the colors red, white and gold in association with the photo. Then I added the Ken Oliver Vintage Mini Arrow Charms on top of the cluster of stars in the centre of the cup. It gives directional focus to the picture! Next, I layered with some coordinating flowers, mixed mini wood slice, cup clip and resin mini mums. 

The title "Enjoy" was die cut from the same Enjoy Coffee die set! I cut it twice, once with gold foil, and the second time with foam sheets. Then I glued the foil piece onto the foam piece. This helps to raise attention to the title, and gives it a slight shadow all around the alphabets! I also used a key charm to direct the attention to the journalling in this layout.

Now, wait no longer! Be sure to check out the Maya Road dies today! They are 25% off with coupon code DIESOFMARCH - only valid up to 31st of March 2017. 

Thank you for joining me today! 

Supplies Used:

• https://mayaroad.com/products/enjoy-coffee-die-bundle
• https://mayaroad.com/products/geometric-diamond-die
• https://mayaroad.com/products/medium-vintage-paper-flowers-red
• https://mayaroad.com/products/felt-roses-princess-pink
• https://mayaroad.com/products/ken-oliver-heart-key-charms
• https://mayaroad.com/products/stained-wood-star-buttons
• https://mayaroad.com/products/wood-daily-grind-tokens
• https://mayaroad.com/products/wood-embroidery-hoops
• https://mayaroad.com/products/22mm-bulldog-clips-gold
• https://mayaroad.com/products/resin-mini-mums-sand

MWL DT: Products I love & 12x12 Layout | Stay Lil'

Aida & I are on the MWL blog today!

How has the Chinese New Year been for you? Chinese New Year has always been one festive season I have loved since I was a kid. In the past, it used to be for the food and red packets, but it has much more meaning to me now. Seeing my nephew grow up over the years, I can't say how much it made me feel older. It is also this season where I see the other members of the family. Yes, it is a tiring affair, having to need to visit every single household in the family ( I have a large family of 7 households). But nothing beats the family bonding sessions and the jokes my uncles crack over a game of cards. 

Yes I love the CNY season, though now it means I have to give red packets. But I enjoy every visiting session and the laugher it brings.

Today on MWL blog, Aida and I are sharing our favorite products this week! 

I am inspired by a recent scrapbook basics class I taught recently in Made with Love and the beautiful products to come up with a layout. The pattern papers are from Amercian Crafts - Shimelle Little by Little Collection and the background is colored with Tim Holtz distress crayons.

Oh how I wished my nephew would stay forever little and always hugging me close like this. This sweet young man is always making my heart melt away.

First I started the page by doing some prep work. The white cardstock is primed with gesso, and later colored with Tim Holtz Distress Crayons. It helps to enhance the background cut piece which I laid behind my photo. Love the colors which fade below my background in unison.

Afterwhich, I have done quite a bit of fussy cutting, most of which was done on a bus ride. Well, I figured better doing fussy cutting than looking at the handphone in the 40 minutes of bus ride right? The hearts are sewn on with a sewing machine to the layout. 

I have also done some zig zag machine sewing to the matting of the background.

In that 40 minutes ride, I have also managed to fussy cut these critters! Ain't they super cute? (In fact, i did the fussy cutting for the entire 2 pieces of pattern paper on that 40 minutes bus ride) Was not sure which element I would use on my layout, but since I enjoy fussy cutting, I might as well prepare all for later use. Who knows? I may have another layout soon!

Here I layered the embellishments up around my photo. I used to fear writing on layouts since my handwriting is awefully square and small. But I realised over time that the writing is also part of documenting the story and I overcome the fear quite soon. In fact, I almost always insist on documenting on all my layouts, because it warms me to read it 5 years or 10 years down the road. 

Hope you like this layout, and inspires you to experiment with your own style. 

Supplies used from Made With Love Sg:

• American Crafts Shimelle Little by Little Collection
• Tim Holtz Distress Crayons

My second favorite product has to be the Simple Stories 6x8 paper pack.

It is versatile enough for use with almost anything! This size is wonderful!

Document your stories in the 6x8 Binder with the 6x8 paper pack. It is that simple. Life documentation need not be complicated. On another note, you will need this paper pack for home decor. Just use it as it is! I am looking forward to decorating my room soon with the collection!

Needless to say, the collections are taking my breath away. Faith and Domestic Bliss collections are now available in MWL. (Hang in there! Emoji love and Say Cheese III are coming to store really soon!)

Hope you have enjoyed the products so far, and keep feeling inspired for more crafting!

Made With Love Singapore

B2-08, 313 Somerset, Orchard Road.

Tel : 6733 7630