~ New Year Eve ~

This year has been rather uneventful. On the family side, there has been some ups and downs. The worst was when we found out that 2 of our family members have cancers. We coped and we rallied together and thankfully, one is cleared now. We are awaiting news of the other so fingers crossed!

On the creative side, there has been ups and downs but mostly ups! In this month, I received quite a few happy emails that has made my day! Also I've signed up for another round of Art Journal Caravan 2013 so I'm looking forward to more art journaling. At the moment, I'm busily trying to finish up my December Daily (typical, did it late!!!)

However, the best is when I laid my hands on a new Macbook Pro with Retina Display. I waited a long time for it and so far, I'm so pleased with it. I'm looking forward to more creative activity with it. I'm still annoyed with the UK keyboard, mainly the 'enter' button (due to where it's placed, I keep hitting the "\" key instead! I guess I just have to stretch my little finger a bit longer.) 

Well, I leave with this message: 

TTFN!

~ The Lust Is Finally Over ~

Ever since the new Macbook Pro with Retina Display came out, I've been lusting over it. Actually I was already lusting over the previous Macbook Pro. Initially I was concerned about the lack of optical drive and the 256GB SSD size. But I realised that I hardly use my optical disk unless I'm burning DVD of my digi kits. As for the size, these days EHD of 1TB comes rather cheaply and I do store all my digi supplies on an EHD as well as photos too! If I have less space, then I need to do more housekeeping. Plus I do have a cloud storage of 3TB so what am I fussing about?!! With my mind made up and after a lot of sacrifices and saving, I took the plunge and got the 15" Macbook Pro with Retina Display! Hubby kindly contributed half of it too (partial Christmas gift). I was lucky that I could get educational pricing so that helped greatly.

Nothing like opening a new box!

I have to say, I'm so pleased with it! The screen is amazing! Having extra 2" screen to view is fab (the old one is 13")! I'm starting this laptop from scratch, i.e. not bringing over what was stored in my previous Macbook. Only the important files will be imported. As for not having an optical drive, well, I found out that I can easily use the one in my old Macbook. That was how I installed my new Photoshop CS6, using the optical drive of my old Macbook. Typical, Apple make it so easy to use their laptops!

I'm in the midst of setting my new rMBP (short for Macbook Pro with Retina Display).  I will certainly look forward to playing with this toy over the next few days and getting to know the new features. Top on my list is to get a cover for this new toy. My old MB was protected by a cover as I would hate a scratch to appear on the aluminium body. My only peeve is the keyboard. My old MB is a US keyboard. This new one is a UK keyboard and I dislike the enter button. Why couldn't it just follow the same pattern as the US one??? Apart from that, thankfully not a lot of differences between the two. 

This laptop will have to last me the next 2-4 years. I had 3 years of joy with the old one. I won't give that one up totally. Can't really upgrade too often, given the price of Apple laptops. But they really do last! Hub is probably on his 6th PC laptop since I had my MB. Not to mention how slowly it boots up as compared to mine!

I'm off to create... on my new rMBP! TTFN!

~ Maya de Groot: Fireworks ~

Maya brought out a few kits today:

Fireworks 

Paint N Glitter Clusters

Lace Doily Papers

Here's my page done using them: 

 Supplies:

Maya de Groot: Fireworks, Lace Doily Papers, Paint n Glitter Fireworks

Fonts: CM Cold Request & Cinnamon Cake

This photo was taken in low light and therefore was rather blurry. Hence, I gave the photo a watercolour treatment to mask the blurriness and to make it more presentable! Hard to imagine that a year has since passed! TTFN!

~ Woot! ~

Talk about a happy email today! 

As a paper scrapper, I loved her stuff. As a digi, still love her stuff and gotten a few of her digi papers! Here's one I did with her Tangerine Dream set, one of my fav paper sets of her. 

As I would play with mists IRL, added a brush to create the background.

Good to know I will be able to play with her stuff digitally! TTFN!

~ Traci Reed Designs & Jenn Barrette: Get Artsy-My Journey ~

Traci & Jenn did a collaboration and came up with this kit, Get Artsy: My Journey, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs.

I did a page journal with it: 

Might have to play more with this kit as there is so much fun elements in there! TTFN!

~ Pink Reptile Designs: Embroider Me ~

Mirjam released this kit, Embroider Me, and is available at The Lilypad.

Here's my page using the stitches. I also combined it with other kits of hers:

Kits used: The Kitschy Kit, Twiddle, Your Song, Embroider Me, Making Headlines

Luv those stitches! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 300 ~

The challenge is to either have candle or flame on the card. Here's mine: 

Used Anna Aspnes' ArtPlay Palette Night Before Christmas & Mr Whiskers' Midsummer Nights Dream kits for this card. 

TTFN!

~ Merry Christmas! ~

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! 

~ On Display! ~

I was just messing with some brushes & patterned paper and created this particular pattern which I knew I wanted to use at some point in time! So here it is:

Supplies:
Jenni Bowlin Studio: Tangerine Dream, Boy Bingo Card, Definition Labels
Splendid Fiins: Knockout - Birds Emerging
Amy Wolff: Winter Wishes
Anna Aspnes: Distressed Frames No4, ArtPlay Palette Classico
Captivated Visions: Captivating 2012 December
Pink Reptile Designs: Love Me Tender
Julianna Kniepp Designs: Project 365
Font: Pea Faith & Sidewalk

Kept it simple as I wanted the background to show. TTFN!

~ Pink Reptile Designs: I Believe In Miracles ~

Mirjam released this kit, I Believe In Miracles, available at The Lilypad. 

Here's my page done using the kit: 

Gosh I'm so missing this cute li'l babe! He's just too adorable! Wish I was living nearer to him and his mom! TTFN!

~ GIS: Using Tags On A Page ~

My page on using tags in a LO is out in Get It Scrapped article as seen here. I love using tags as one can literally embellish a tag and make it very attractive! Here's my page: 

Supplies

Anna Aspnes: ArtPlay Palette Christmas No1, ArtPlay Palette Red White Blue, ArtPlay Palette Authentic, ArtPlay Palette Retro Holiday, Christmas Word Transfers No1, Script Tease Winter No1
Anna Aspnes & Vinnie Pearce: ArtPlay Palette Love Life
Maya de Groot: Fond Of Fastener
Viva Artistry: Signs Of Times Pisces
Katie Pertiet: Counting Christmas Tags No2, Paper Strips Words Christmas
Pink Reptile Designs: Noted

Val C. Designs: Happiness, Never Forget
Karen Funk: Paisley Pop
Oscraps Collaboration: Journey
Crystal Wilkinson: The Room Collection
Julianna Kniepp Designs: A Little Bird Told Me, Project365 2012
Tumble Fish Studio: Journaling Freebie
Fonts: Pea Beth, Pea Bev & Oliver

This took ages to complete (lots of elements on it) but it was worth doing it! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 293 ~

Today's theme is 'Imagine This: Tinsel. The challenge is to have tinsel on the card. Here's mine: 

Used Viva Artistry's 12 Days kit to create this card.

My tinsel is on top of the lacy bit. TTFN!

~ Val C. Designs: My Way & AJC Itinerary #46 ~

Val has come out with a new kit entitled 'My Way', available at Oscraps. 

The kit is available separately as papers and elements too. Here's an art journal done using this kit:

Supplies:
Val C. Designs: My Way
Fonts: SondroAl & Scribble Box

This art journal also forms part of my Art Journal Caravan Itinerary #46 page. TTFN!

~ Sketchbook 365: January 2013 Challenge ~

There a new challenge out on Sketchbook 365 blog. Here's the sketch: 

Here's my page: 

Supplies:Cilenia Curtis: Believe

Anna Aspnes: Doily Edge Overlays No1, Torn Foto Frames No2, ArtPlay Palette Classico

Katie Pertiet: Scrolling Words Christmas, Vintage Blendables Christmas 6, Counting Christmas Tags No3, Letter Box Seamstress, December Foliage Tags No1

Captivated Visions: Captivating 2012 December

Gennifer Bursett: Kym's Washi

Jen Allyson: Vintage Findings Tags

Julianna Kniepp Designs: A Little Bird Told Me

Tumble Fish Studio: Nitty Gritty

Fonts: You are Loved & Pea Emma

Pop along to the blog as there's a prize involved for this challenge! TTFN!

~ Pink Reptile Designs Blog Challenge ~

Mirjam has started a new blog challenge, a template challenge as seen here.

Here's what I did with the template: 

Supplies:Pink Reptile Designs & A Little Green Frog: Nana & Gramps

Fonts: Xerography & Shark In The Water

The template can be downloaded at Mirjam's blog along with a few freebies. There are prizes involved as this is the first blog challenge! Have fun scrapping! TTFN!

~ Pink Reptile Designs, Studio Basic: You + Me = Fun ~

Mirjam did a collaboration kit with Studio 68 & Studio Basic and they came up with this kit called You + Me = Fun.

Here's what I've done with the kit:

Supplies:
Pink Reptile Designs, Studio Basic & Studio 68: You + Me = Fun
Font: Minya Nouvelle

Now that we got a new member, I have to document him too! The li'l pooch having a field time helping with the fallen leaves! TTFN!

~ GIS: Inspired By Patchwork ~

The latest article using patchwork as inspiration on pages has come out, as seen here. When I think of patchwork, making quilts comes to mind. Hence, that's how my page came about: 

Supplies:
Jen Maddocks Designs: Secret Indulgences, Smears neutral, Tooth Fairy Dreams
Anna Aspnes: Scout Word Art No1, Scouts Word Art And Transfers No2, Foto Wallets No3
Julianna Kniepp Designs: Comfy Home, Hello Beautiful
Crystal Livesay: Hex Shape V2
Mye de Leon: Mists
Font: Tangie AJF Oysters

I was lucky that my son's Scout group pose photos on their blog (obviously with a password for parents only to see). I got these and had to document it. Found a kit that fit the theme perfectly. The patchwork represents the badges that he usually get when he completes a task, which reminds me that I've got to sew a few on my sons' shirts!  TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 286 ~

Today's challenge is called 'Opposite Week' and my theme is Hot & Cold. Here's what I did:

A hot cup of cocoa amidst a snowing background! TTFN!

~ GIS: Journaling On Photos ~

Today's article is about journaling directly on your photos, as seen here. As a digi scrapper, not difficult to achieve as I can always wipe it away with the touch of a 'delete' button. Not so if you are a paper scrapper but then, always use a copy of photo instead of the original! Here's my page:

Supplies:
Simply Tiffany Studios: Modern Master Collection 3 (template 21)
Viva Artistry: Return To Oz
Fonts: QK Zelda & Roughage

Hubby and moi managed to spend a day in London on our own when the boys were in camp. Had a swell time and even caught the musical, Wicked. So glad I found this particular kit to document it. TTFN!

~ Pink Reptile Designs: I Kiss A Frog ~

Mirjam brought out a few new kits today entitled 'I Kiss A Frog', available at The Lilypad. 

alpha

elements

papers

Here's a page that I've made with this kit:

Supplies:
Pink Reptile Designs: I Kissed A Frog
Font: Pea Amy

Mirjam actually crocheted that frog! Isn't he cute! TTFN!

~ Traci Reed & Jenn Barrette: The Bad ~

I absolute love this kit, The Bad, a collaboration between Traci Reed & Jenn Barrette. I made a page with it after using it for an art journal. Here's my page:

When I saw the wordart, I knew I was going to use it as a title and somehow my page took shape based on the title! Weight is something I grapple with everyday! Obsessed would be a better word. Trying to stay slim while abstaining from calories-heavy food! A rock bun from Greggs contains about 400ish calories (yeah, I actually emailed to ask)! These days restaurants even put the amount of calories on their menu! Sure as hell make me choose the lower ones, just out of pure guilt! TTFN! 

~ GIS: Vignettes as Inspiration ~

The article on using Vignettes as inspiration for pages is out as can be seen here. When I got this theme, I wasn't sure how to approach it but after checking out Pinterest, I got an idea and here's my page: 

Supplies:
Anna Aspnes: ArtPlay Palette Bask, Children Quote No3, Antiquated Frames No2, ArtPlay Palette Crazy Life, ArtPlay Palette Metro Graffiti, ArtPlay Palette Concerto, ArtPlay Palette Family, ArtPlay Palette Mist, ArtPlay Palette Heraldry, ArtPlay Palette Find My Way No2 ArtPlay Palette Authentic, ArtPlay Palette Blossom, ArtPlay Palette Christmas No1, ArtPlay Palette Blooming Marvelous, ArtPlay Palette Bicycle

Splendid Fiins: Knockout Circle Explosion

Katie Pertiet: Cut Ups Everyday No2

Julianna Kniepp Designs: Craft Time (For Boys), Project 365 2012

Font: Pea Candice

The buttons act as vignettes. I seldom use buttons on my page but this page gave me a chance to play with them! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 279 ~

This week we are sponsored by Robyn Fetish Stamps.

Today's challenge is to use 'gingham' as a bold pattern. Here's my card:

Used gingham as the background patterned paper. Cup image is from Robyn Fetish, coloured using copics. TTFN!

~ Val C. Designs & Pink Reptile Designs: Cozy Christmas Day ~

Val brought out this Cozy Christmas Day kit today, a collaboration with Pink Reptile Designs, available at Oscraps.

My page was based upon the inspiration of two pages as seen here and here, a challenge set by Val. Here's mine:

Supplies:
Val C. Designs & Pink Reptile Designs: Cozy Christmas Day
Font: Pea Catherine

Had fun with this page! TTFN!

~ Courtney's Digiscrappin': Hide And Seek ~

Over at Scrap Art Studio, a new designer made her appearance and I almost swoon! Her kits are absolutely amazing! I just had to have this particular one entitled Hide And Seek.

When I saw the kit, I knew instantly what I wanted to create. I had this particular idea in my mind and I was searching for the perfect kit to create it. Here's my page: 

Supplies:
Courtney's Digiscrappin': Hide And Seek
Anna Aspnes: Hands Of Time No1, Warm Glows No4, Warm Glows No5, 12x12 Sand Scratched Overlays No1
Font: Pokemon Solid

Thanks to art journaling, I no longer feel the need to be angry. I simply let it out creatively! It's more fun and enriching to vent it on a digi canvas! TTFN!

~ Traci Reed & Jenn Barrette: The Bad ~

During the sales, I got this collaboration kit, The Bad, by Traci Reed & Jenn Barrette, available at Sweet Shoppe Designs. 

I came up with this page: 

I luv the quote! It's so true! TTFN!

~ December Already! ~

OMG! We have hit December! Where did time fly?

I had an interesting time last nite. Hub's company was celebrating 150 years of existence and held an event to host it. Together with invited guests, we watch a ballet on Cinderella at the Hippodrome and had dinner afterwards. Now, I've never seen a ballet performance before and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It was very entertaining albeit quite a long one. There was 3 intervals! Didn't quite like dinner. We had lamb shank, not something I would order. It was cooked well though. 

Back to December, I always do an album for December and this year, I plan to keep up to date so I'm gonna get started! TTFN!