>>> Check It Out! <<<

Just found another new challenge blog starting up on 1st April ...

They feature Stampin Up stamps. Will be checking it out once April hits!

Check out GCD blog too. They are having a party next Monday to announce their new DT members. Anyway, up for grab is a set of papers called Eye Candy. Luv their papers!

TTFN!

>>> 365 Cards Day 31 <<<

Found this card blog today. I believe a challenge is issued everyday. Will be following with interest. Anyway, today's challenge is 'Rounding the Corner'. So here's my take on it.

Created using scraps from Crate Paper Mia collection and stamps from Pink Paislee (owl & branch), ScrapGoods (crackle finish) and Unity (thanks). Image coloured using Promarkers.

Yup, on a roll today and did 3 cards. I'm in need of more so will be checking out more card blogs soon. TTFN!

>>> Inspirational Card Sketches #10 <<<

Came across this card sketch blog and liked the sketch.


So here's my take on it!

Using scraps from Little Yellow Bicycle Love Letters and stamps from Hero Arts Four Dolls (ohhh, luv those dollies and can't help using them. Anyway, had coloured a handful of them so they gotta be used!) and Purple Onion Designs (thanks). Image coloured using Promarkers.

I'm starting to do my 'thank you' cards for the boys' teachers. I know it's still early but knowing me, I always run out of time somehow! I've chosen the Four Dolls as a theme for the 'thank you' cards so there are more to come! TTFN!

TTFN!

>>> Card Patterns Sketch #8 <<<

Found another card blog to play with. Here's a sketch they came up with:

Here's my take on it. I turned the card the other way round so as to fit my design:

Used scraps from SEI Lovebirds and Hero Arts Four Dolls stamp set. The Chinese characters is from a stamp set I bought second-hand and comes from Book of the Month Club. It's written in long form but doesn't bother me... adds to the vintage charm. The embossed patterns are painted with Shimmerz Blingz. Image of Japanese gal coloured with Promarkers.

TTFN!

>>> Unity March Challenge <<<

Angela of Unity Stamp Company issued a challenge to use March kit on a project. As soon as I got my March kit, I lost no time in creating and came up with a card and a LO. Here's what March stamp kit looks like:

Here's my LO which also ties in with Butterfly Crafts challenge #7.


Here's a card that I create as well.

I had stamped 'Sending you happy thoughts' in the background but unfortunately it can't be picked up the camera.

I absolutely adore the images in March set. I'm buzzing with ideas and now to find the time to create with them. TTFN!

>>> Butterfly Crafts Challenge #7 <<<

I didn't get a chance to complete this challenge but upon reading the rules, there's still time to play so here goes! The challenge is to create a layout based upon a favourite book as an inspiration.

My LO is based upon this book, Burnt Shadows by Kamila Shamsie. I took inspiration from the colours used on the front cover.

Here's my LO:

Made use of Scarlet Lime March 09 kit and Unity KOTM March stamp set.

TTFN!

>>> Fourth ... <<<

and final concert of the week!

Today marks the end of their Suzuki violin workshops and as usual, it always ends with a concert and a party! The kids are expected to perform a series of songs which they have already learnt. The boys were more exited about the party after! Here's some shots of today's event:

TTFN!

>>> Unity Blog Hop! <<<

Since subscribing to Unity Stamp kits, I decided to participate in their activities and today marks an interesting event called Blog Hop. Basically you hop from blog to blog filled with eye candy using Unity stamps.

Well, I signed up and the challenge is to create a project using Unity stamp, indicate supply used, add quote and link to the next blog. Here's my project:

I did a slider card (instructions can be found on the Splitcoaststamper resource site).

Supplies used:
Patterned paper: Pink Paislee Spring Fling collection
Stamp: Unity February 09 kit: beginnings and endings
Inks: Memento
Pens: Promarkers
Quote: If friends were flowers, I'd pick you

This will be flying its way to a dear friend of mine whose birthday is around the corner!

Blog Hop
If this is your first time, your initial blog hop starts here!
However if you have been blog hopping, than you would have come from here!
Your next blog hop is here. Happy blog surfing! TTFN

>>> Third ... <<<

Concert of the week, held at St John and St Peter's Church in Ladywood, Birmingham. It's a beautiful church and the acoustic in there was fantastic. So the boys performed as a group. Thankfully, they have gone past the beginner's stage and as a result, got to play a few songs. The beginners had to sit thru' a while before they could join in the finale! I supposed it does encourage them to learn faster! :) Here's some shots of the evening.

The ensemble of violinists!

TTFN!

>>> SLYMI #13 <<<

UKScrappers Forum have been coming out with a challenge each week and will continue to do so for this year. I've been keeping an eye on it but this week's challenge got me playing along as it's theme is Scrap with Stamps! Hey, that's totally up my street and here's what I did:

Sprayed the background with a bit of glimmer mist. Then stamped one of Ali Edwards stamps. As usual, can't help cutting out the flower from a patterned paper. Played with SL Oct 08 and Mar 09 kits. Stamps from Ali Edwards, Banana Frog and Scarlet Lime.

TTFN!

>>> Tiring! <<<

I'm so looking forward to next Friday, when school term ends! This running around is wearing me out... seriously, how tiring can it be to be a SAHM as opposed to a working mom. I'm sure the latter doesn't run around as much as I do. It's Thursday, and as usual, I'm completely knackered! Doesn't help I've got another two more concerts to worry about (although it doesn't faze the boys one bit!)

I've been sorting out my stamps for the past two days. I had a bagful of altered images stamps to sort and decided to do it. Now need to sort out the new stamps that were acquired over the past few month. I've got such a weakness for them.

Will try and get creative later tonite! Hands getting itchy.... TTFN!

>>> Second ,,, <<<

Round of concert, held at the Junior school. It was their musical evening and a total of 22 kids turned up for it. We were treated to an hour of music. Both the boys performed in the group as well as solo too. Their new headmaster was so impressed. It's his first time since taking over the school in January and I'm hoping he does more to raise the music level in the school. I leave with some photos of the event!

First up, Zac, in his solo performance, playing Minuet 1.

Then Oliver, in his solo moments, playing Andantino.

Finale: the violinists/violanists playing Mary had a little lamb! Noticed that there's no stand involved! The kids have to learn to play by hard and not look at music sheets.

TTFN!

>>> First ... <<<

Concert of the week!

Today marks the end of the boys' String orchestra practise which accumulated to a concert at the end. They start practice again in Oct. This concert marks the beginning of a series of concerts for this week. One down, three to go. Tomorrow is their music evening in the Junior School where both of them will also be performing solo on top of their group performance. Last minute, both decided to change the song they wanted to play. Thankfully it wasn't a problem with their music teacher. I leave with images of today's concert:

Zac is the youngest in the group. It's good practice for him as he has to learn to read the notes. They both performed well.

TTFN!

>>> Butterfly Craft #8 <<<

In honour of St Patrick's Day, the challenge is to create a LO about luck! So that was easy... had a picture of my boys and used them:

Been a while since I did 8.5x11". Anyway, made use of Scarlet Lime March 09 kit. Added Ali Edward stamp on the background.

Making good progress with my SL kit... need to create more as there are still a lot more to be used! TTFN!

>>> Caardvarks Hero Arts Challenge <<<

I'm a follower of this card blog challenge and they are having a Hero Arts sponsored challenge. Here's the sketch


and you need to include stamping. Here's my take on it:

Stamped the cupcake using Banana Frog That Takes The Cake stamp set and coloured using my Promarkers.

TTFN!

>>> Basic Grey Challenge 27 - Texture <<<

Another card blog I came across and since I do possess a fair number of Basic Grey stuff, decided to give it a go. The challenge is to use texture on a card and of course to include at least one Basic Grey item. Here's mine:

Made use of Blush and Aviary stamp set. As for texture, embossed the card with Allegro embossing folder and used lace.

Will definitely be keeping an eye on this blog. Great way to use up BG stuff! TTFN!

>>> OMG! <<<

It's finally done! Ollie's Egyptian project is done and dusted! After weeks of tedious coaching and coaxing, we finally finished the project tonite. Although I'm not sure what's the objective behind it as there is absolutely NO way he would have been able to do it by himself. I attended an IEP meeting with his teachers today and was told that some kids aren't able to write out full paragraphs so if that is the case, how on earth will they be able to do the Egyptian project? That involves research into Egypt as it asked for background info, then planning a trip to Egypt including an itinerary and also other extra info such as preparing for the trip. Tell me that doesn't require loads of writing?!!! This is for Year 4 (8-9 yrs old) kids. Some kids have not even been out of the country let alone write out an itinerary! Oh well, Ollie's teacher will definitely know he had help but there was no way I'm gonna let him falter through this project! I'm all for them to do projects but make it more suitable to their level! And I'm certainly not the only parent helping him as a chat with other moms revealed their involvement as well. So I sure would like to know the purpose of this project, apart from forging a bond between mom and son!

Time to get creating... I need a stress reliever! TTFN!

>>> Dreamgirls Challenge #24 <<<

Here's my take on Dreamgirls Challenge #24 where we had to use the title "If I were a rich girl" and have green and bling somewhere in the LO.

Made use of Scarlet Lime March kit. Cut out the large flower from SEI paper and coloured it with my Aqua Promarkers. The bling is found on the butterfly and at the top of the birdcage.

This LO also ties in with the informal challenge that I set on UKScrapper forum in the SL kit section. The kit subbers are supposed to take inspiration from Picasso's painting:

I chose to focus on the flower!

TTFN!

>>> DoubleDutch Challenge #13 <<<

Came across this blog while blog surfing and thought it was such a great challenge. I've been saving up the loo rolls (as I had a plan to do something but never got round to it yet) and decided to give this challenge a go.

Here's what I created:

Covered the loo roll with a piece of patterned paper from one of the SL kits. Used my Hero Arts Four Dolls stamp set. Images were coloured using Promarkers.

An overview of it. Decided to make it a Mother's Day card for my MIL. The pocket came in handy to put in cash for my MIL.

A closeup view of the tag itself. Used Tim Holtz' distressed inkpads for the background.

Luv it so much I might just make more of them in place of cards! Now to save up those loo rolls for future use! TTFN!

>>> Happy Mother's Day! <<<

Only in England! Not sure why but we kinda celebrate Mother's Day wayyy earlier than most countries! I've to remember to wish my mom her day when May comes.

Hubs was nice enough to let me have a lie-in while he brought the boys to see his mom. Then he woke me up later so that I could get changed to go out for lunch. Lunch was a dim sum meal at China Court restaurant in B'ham town centre. We were lucky we got in with plenty of table space for 20 mins later, it was full to the brim and there was a massive queue. That is one heck of a good restaurant as many Chinese go there to eat (and you know it's good when their own kind go there to eat!)

Prawn dumpling

Shark fin dumpling ... yum yum!

For my Mother's day gift, I got my Promarker pens from the boys! I decided to go for them instead of Copic as the latter is way too expensive. I went for the 3 Manga sets and will see how it goes from there. Have to say, those markers have taken my colouring to a new level! TTFN!

>>> Solo Moments! <<<

So the boys played solo today at a concert. Zac was 3rd on the list and he played Allegretto, accompanied by the piano played by his music teacher. He had a nervous start and missed the opening bit but as soon as he got into the flow, he was perfect.


Oliver was 14th on the list and he played Minuet 1 by Bach. He played well too although I thought his violin squeaked a little (somehow, your ears become tuned and you can spot sounds that doesn't sound right!) His teachers noted down comments of the kids played, constructive ones and both of them had good report, right intonation. So pleased with them. I leave with some photos of them...

TTFN!

>>> Not Enough ...! <<<

Time in a Day!

The days are passing by so quickly and I feel that I'm losing control of it! I'm so busy with the boys' schedules these days. I'm now trying to even find time to scrap so as to give me some sanity. You try your best to help them with their school work and by the time you're done, it's almost bedtime for them. I now have to think ahead to try and maximise time and to plan what to do as well so as not to waste time. All I can say is time is just running past so quickly!

On a happier note, my Scarlet Lime March kit arrived yesterday and it's filled with yummy goodies. Luv the colour scheme for this month, not much yellow (dun know why but I find yellow hard to scrap!) My challenge is to try to use as much of the kit this month.

Took my colouring to another level and invested in some Promarkers by Letraset. Bought the manga colours to play with. I had a sample pen from a goodie bag a while back and dig it out to try. Luv the effect of the coloring and decided to give it a go. I had my eye on some Prismacolor pencils but somehow never got round to getting them. Let's see how these markers go. They are an alternative to Copic markers which are quite expensive.

The boys are having their first violin solo concert this Saturday (for this year!) Oliver will be playing Minuet 1 while Zac is tackling Allegretto. Next week, the boys have concerts on Tuesday afternoon (the Strings orchestra), Wednesday nite (Junior school music evening), Friday nite (their music teacher's concert in a church in Edgebaston) and Saturday afternoon (Suzuki workshop concert). It's good confidence building for them and since they started playing, they have attended so many concerts that it's now second nature for them. It will be a dream if they ever end up in a Symphony Orchestra! For me, it's photo opportunity time and time for me to practise my shoots! Dont' get much chance to use my camera a lot.

On a creative note, check out Sally's blog! She's a Stamping Up demonstrator and does great cards! Well, I'm off to tackle a page with my new kit. TTFN!

>>> Mojo Monday Week 78! <<<

Been surfing for more card blogs and found this one, Mojo Monday! Had to have a play. You had to create a card based on this sketch:
Here's my take on it:

Played with my new stamp set from Hero Arts Four Dolls. Gosh, they are so delish! I'm no expert at colouring and I'm slowly learning and I used Marvey Le Plume II pens to colour in the images. I can definitely see myself over-using this stamp set!

TTFN!

>>> UKScrappers March Challenge! <<<

I'm on a card roll and did another one for a challenge I spotted on UKScrappers forum. The challenge is to use any three of the elements mentioned:

• Buttons
• Bows
• Bling
• Birdies
• Blooms
• Bunnies

So here's what I came up with:

My three elements are buttons, bow and birdie. Made use of Unity Feb kit stamp set. Luv that kit!

TTFN!

>>> Caardvarks Challenge - Critters! <<<

Since I'm into doing cards lately, been checking out some card challenge blogs and found Caardvards blog. Their current challenge is to do a card on critters! Fab as I've got loads of images of them. Here's a recent one that I created:

Made use of Unity Feb kit stamps.

TTFN!

>>> Dreamgirls Challenge #23 <<<

Here's my LO based on Dreamgirls challenge #23: Ad it up. It's based on an advert and had to use a safety pin as well as a non-scrapbook item.

Here's my take on it:

Took inspiration from the title. I used a vintage music sheet as a non-scrapbook item and a safety pin is attached to the lace, where there's a charm hanging from it. Papers are from Graphic 45.

A closer look at it. Use a horse as I'm born in the Year of the Horse (the chinese zodiac).

TTFN!

>>> GCD Studios! <<<

Check them out! I love their papers and Scarlet Lime's kit usually contains a couple of sheets from them. Their new collections look fab and I'm sure they will appear in upcoming SL kits! :)

>>> Comic Relief! <<<

So both my sons' schools celebrated Comic Relief in a different way. The Infant School told the kids to come in something funny or in red. Majority chose to be funny and we saw them in their jammies, red wigs etc. The Junior School told them to wear something red. Both schools held fun activities to collect funds. All I can say the mood in school was jolly. Even the Infant teachers joined in and dressed up as kids! One of them resemebled Britney Spear in her video, Baby Hit Me One More Time.

On a slightly sour note, a particular doctor is suggesting that the govt tax chocolate .... why, 'cos it causes obesity! WHAT?!! Granted, it may be a contributing factor but certainly not the only factor. Do they seriously think that taxing chocolate will stop the people from being obese? Educating people about overeating and eating junk food might help! This country never cease to amaze me sometimes! The insane logic that make up the laws! TTFN!

>>> Natter Natter! <<<

Wednesday

Happy Birthday to my MIL! Spent the morning baking cupcakes for her and the afternoon rushing around (as usual, the mundane routine). Anyway, dropped in with the boys to celebrate her cakes with her.


In the evening, had a meeting with Oliver's potential piano teacher. He has expressed interest and I wanted to make sure he would be trained in the Suzuki method which he is currently doing with his violin. Now not all piano teachers are trained in this method so after a few enquiries, found this particular lady in Sutton Coldfield. Now come the chicken and egg scenario... lesson will go ahead when we have a piano at home for him to practise. Makes sense as he can't simply attend lessons and not practise! Had a hunt around the net and found 2 piano stores that we will be visiting this Sat!

Thursday

It was World Book Day and Zac's school had a Peter Pan theme so the li'l one was dressed up as a pirate (that pirate outfit was certainly worth buying as it has been worn so many times). It was equally cute to see all the kids & teachers dressed up as characters in Peter Pan.


TTFN!