~ The Start Of Concerts! ~

Drove up to Liverpool today to attend my boys' Suzuki graduation. Basically they have completed Book 1 and as a result, they recorded the last song of the book for grading and this graduation was the result! But it wasn't just merely receiving certificates but they had to take part in a concert as well. 

We arrived an hour early and managed to sneak a quick getaway to visit The Beatles at Albert Dock. We didn't have time to go into the museum but we did spend some time at the souvenir store. Not really a Beatle fanatics but it was interesting to see what was on offer!

At the concert, we were told that no photos were allowed (how could they!) but nothing was said about not taking video so I did with my iPhone. Fortunately, I found an app called Camera Duo which allowed me to simultaneously take video and photo at the same time! So I did manage to snap a few key shots. 

This was taken by the camera while the video was shooting. Ok, so the quality isn't great but hey, it's the memories that count!

I didn't managed to snap my wee one but I did managed to cut this particular image out from the video. 

Quite chuffed to find an app that combines both applications.... taking video and photo at the same time! It's hard to do both when you are the sole person capturing all these memories! The only setback is that the quality isn't that great but I'm not complaining! I did manage to print the above photos out and they were ok (about 3.5x2.5" photos). Time to do something about them. TTFN!

~ Christmas Cards All Year 'Round: October's Challenge ~

For October's challenge, it has to be a card that has stitching (real or faux) and distressing the card in some way. Here's my card: 

My stitches appeared on the Noel bingo card with the edges distressed a little! Patterned paper from Basick Grey Wassil and tree is a stamped imaged from Banana Frog's Winter Wonderland.

Have to say, I'm sadly slacking in the Xmas card department. So much for wanted to get ahead. I think I need to do at least 24 cards to make up for the last few months of creative inertia! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 219 ~

This week we are sponsored by Character Cafe, a digital stamp company.

Today's challenge is to take inspiration from candy corn, a traditional sweet during Halloween. Being in the UK, where Halloween is just beginning to become popular, I had no idea what candy corn was, so a quick google lead me to this: 

Mmmm, looks delicious! My youngest would be salivating as he luvs sweets! Now looking at the shape of the sweet and colour, I came up with this card. I just had to use this particular image as I've just finished reading all four books of the Twilight saga and my head's just swimming with vampires images!

Well, the shape of the sweet represented vampire's teeth and the colours, just perfect for Halloween! The patterned paper is from Echo Park, a digi pack that I bought from Jessica Sprague site. The image was coloured using Copic markers. Now did I try to make him look like Edward Cullen??? LOL!

And talking about Halloween, I've been assigned the task to organise a Halloween party. The whole of hub's relatives will be descending upon us to celebrate it! Oh the joy!!! Once again, the net has been an invaluable source of inspiration and I've got my games sorted out (hubs is in charge of food). Just need to decorate the house now when the time comes! TTFN!

~ So glued.... ~

to these books in the last few days:

Ever since I discovered them while app surfing, I downloaded all four books and started reading the first one on Thursday last week. Boy, was I hooked! When it first came out, I didn't show much interest as I was in too deep with scrapbooking and had no time to read. Now that they are apps on my iPhone, reading is such a breeze now. Best of all, I can now read in the dark, as opposed to a traditional book!

The next thing is to hunt down the movies! I'm off to devour the last book... TTFN!

September's Banana Blog Hop!

Welcome if you have come from talented Michelle!

I recently received the 3 new Christmas stamp sets and set out to have a play! I love Xmas cards and I've been making them since the beginning of the year, just so I'm not stressed at the end when I've to give out that many! Anyway, today's post is to show you how you can 'dress up' your stamp images. 

I love the tree image from Winter Wonderland. There is so much possibilities with that particular image. It can look pretty plain when stamped on a sheet but with some glitter, you can give the tree a different dimension:

Here, I played with sticklers and glitter pen to transform the tree into an embellishment.

On the same stamp set is a rather cute snowman. Here's what I did to him: 

He was coloured with Copic markers and I added buttons on him. I created a topper out of him which I will later put on a card or even a tag!

Finally, I played with a tree in Christmas Elegance set: 

Another topper but this time I dressed the tree up. I added buttons to represent them as baubles and added a bit of glitter around. Then I grounded it by adding grass around its base. 

When I'm short of time, I usually create something fast and simple like these. They are then later used either in cards or projects that I may be involved in. Here's a example of how I used the embellished tree: 

I used it on a tag. 

With Christmas only 91 days away, these little toppers/embellishment will come in very handy later for Xmas projects! These Christmas stamp sets are fabulous. I've not played enough with them yet. And if you fancy a chance of winning any of them (or others), drop me a comment. It might just be your lucky day! 

Your next blog hop is Annlouise. Have a very' hopping' time! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 212 ~

This week, we were sponsored by Sparkle Creations. I received a lovely red rubber stamp named Cruisin' Chole. Today's challenge focus on the 3 Gs, girl, green and glitter. Here's my card: 

 Patterned paper by Cosmo Cricket Togetherness. Stamped image coloured using Copic markers. 

On the subject of cards, just found out that one of my card made it to Top 5 here. What a bonus! :) TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 205 ~

This week we are sponsored by Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps. 

Today's challenge is 'Sweet Smellin', which is to let the card be inspired by my favourite smells. I've chosen mulled wine. Luv the smell of it and currently, very appropriate for the weather we are in now! Here's my card: 

The papers used here were digitally printed as well as the fairy (courtesy of Robyn's Fetish), which was coloured using Copic markers. The colours of the papers was inspired by the spices used in mulled wine.

TTFN! 

~ Get Sketchy: Sketch 56 ~

I was in a mood to create a card and looked around and found this sketch from Get Sketchy: 

Here's my card: 

Patterned paper from Cosmo Cricket Togetherness. Stamped images from Unity's July 10 KOTM set.

Here's the inside of the card. The sentiment is from Elzbells while the journaling box is from the same set as above.

This card came in handy for a friend's 50th birthday although I doubt very much she would want a mega '50' on the card! TTFN!

~ Nesting Instinct?!! ~

No, I'm not pregnant but have developed a sudden urge to spring clean! Started at work (now that I've been promoted) and cleared the drawers and lockers and arranged everything so that it's much more organised! Today, it was the pantry that I tackled! Chucked out outdated food stuff (how they accumulated that long I do not know...) and re-organised the shelf. Told hubby he had better keep it neat as typical man, he simply stuff food items anywhere without realising that each shelf has a certain category! I then sent him to clear the side of our house as this particular area has been hoarding boxes of electrical equipment that we have bought. Why they have been kept is beyond comprehension but hubs cleared them out and took them to the dump. However, he only did halfway and there is still a large mess on the floor (which I suspect are stuff toys). I think a trip to the car boot sale is required as I'm determined to de-clutter before the weather gets too cold!

Speaking of cold, I think summer has come to an end. We have turn on the heater as it's get way too cold at nite now. In fact, read the news that it will get even colder soon! Urghh!

We have been busy attending Open Days in Secondary Schools as we have to fill in the form by 1st Oct. All I can say it's stressful! At least my eldest now has an idea which school he wants as his first choice!

Here's him trying on a helmet used in a war. Well, it's the history department!

The next room that I'm gonna tackle will be my craft room! It's due for a spring clean and a lot of stuff have to go as they have been sitting in there for years, untouched! Think I'm gonna be brutal and really clear out as my priority is slowly but surely shifting and I need to clear the space for future use! Where I'm gonna start clearing will be a good point..... TTFN!

~ Banana Frog ~

Well, it was my day to showcase on the Banana Frog blog and I made this canvas: 

The butterflies were created from transparency and coloured using Copic markers and glittered using sticklers: 

The flower embellishment were stamped and I added dimension to them by shading with Copic markers: 

Finally, I replicated the vine images at the side of the canvas: 

This canvas will be winging its way to my mom as her birthday gift. Having not done much creative work lately, it took me a while to get into the flow again. Can't say I have much time in the coming few weeks as I will be extremely busy (lots of things have come up and I don't have a lot of spare time these days). Until then, TTFN!

~ Chrismas Cards All Year 'Round: September's Challenge ~

Oops, forgot to post this!


The challenge for September is going to be a card that is any shape other than the standard 4 1/4 X 5 1/2. It can be suare, rectangular, curcular, big, small, whatever, but not the standard size. The card must also have gold, silver, crystal or pearl on it too!

Here's my card: 

Card is made using a transparency sheet. The centre of the poinsettia is dotted with gold sticklers. Patterned papers from Basic Grey Wassail collection. Poinsettia is from Unity.

The inside of the card. Stamped images from Unity's Bright & Merry Winter Wishes. 

Have to say, it was fun making this card but quite challenging too! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 198 ~

This week we are sponsored by DRS Designs Rubber Stamps.

Today's challenge's is 'Busy Background'. Here's the requirement: Use 3 different patterned papers to fill the entire background of your card, leaving no blank space. They do not have to be the same size, as long as they cover the background. Here's my card: 

Patterned papers by Basic Grey Offbeat collection (luv their 6x6 pack!) Stamped images by DRS Designs (cocoa cup & swirls). Images coloured using Copics.

TTFN!

~ Blockleton ~

Spent Sunday nite, helping the older one pack his stuff for his residential retreat to Blockleton for a week. He's going with his school mates. He has been on Cubs camp for 3 days but to be away for 5 days is gonna be a testing time for me! 

He couldn't contain his excitement and why not, 5 days away from home and with school mates!!! How fun!

The kids have to carry their own bags to the buses!

It will be weird not picking him up from school later! Well, the wee one will, no doubt, be getting a lot of attention this week! TTFN!

~ 365 Cards: Day 191 ~

After a 3 week hiatus, I'm back to creating! Took me a week to settle in after arriving home (laundry and unpacking took considerably time, not forgetting slight jet lag as well! The weather didn't help either, especially after basking in temperatures of 30ish degree Celcius for 5 weeks to suddenly experiencing 10ish upon returning! Talk about sudden shock to the human system.)

This week we are sponsored by Wink Wink Ink Digital Stamps: 

Today's challenge is 'All Creatures Great And Small' which should be included in the card. Well, I got to play with 2 adorable creatures and here's my card: 

Digi images coloured using Copic markers. Patterned papers from Basic Grey Granola collection. The musical sheet is 7 Gypsies Avignon paper tape, the only scrapbook item I picked up from the LSS in Singapore.

Enjoyed using my Copic markers. Bought a shedload while I was in Singapore as they are far cheaper there (at least nearly half what is sold in the UK!) and the store having a 15% discount helped tremendously! Rather than going for sets, I went for shades of colours instead, opting for different tones in each set of colours. I had originally Set B of 36 colours and realised I couldn't do much shading with them so based on those colours I had, I just bought the various tones. There are lots of tutorials and videos around and they helped tremendously. I still learning though .....

Hoping to do more creating but I think a spring clean is needed for my craft room.... losing sight of the floor at the moment! Sigh! Thankless task! TTFN!

~ New School Term! ~

Today saw the start of a new school term for my boys and the wee one has gone to Juniors and is now in the same school as his brother, just for this school year! The older one will be off to secondary school next year. Gosh, how time flies! Anyway, here they are, getting ready for school: 

I'm glad they are together if it's just for a year. Kinda help the wee one ease into the Junior school easily! TTFN!

~ Back From Shanghai! ~

So we're back from Shanghai. Got in early Tuesday and headed immediately for the doctor as both of us are suffering from diarrhoea. I guess we couldn't take the food in Shanghai. Had to cancel a fishing trip to Indonesia (much to the boys' disappointment) but we couldn't risk it with our bad tummies. Can't say the medicine have helped much, in fact, I find myself in a worst state than before!

Anyway, I still managed to drag myself to meet up with some gorgeous ladies for high tea. It would be my last meeting with them.

The Joy Luck Club ladies (Joylites), as we call ourselves! All scrappers although we prefer to indulge in food as seen in our frequent meeting at 'high tea' places! :) Incidentally, this photo was taken by Jaz' little boy! 

They are the most fun, witty and enjoyable group of ladies I've known and I'm gonna miss them dearly. Thank goodness for technology ... at least I'll be able to keep in touch via 'whatsapp' and email!

This is our last week in Singapore before we fly back to the UK. I'm starting to pack the non-essential stuff just so I won't be inundated with packing on Sunday!!! Can't believe five weeks have flown so quickly. I certainly had a great time here, socialising with friends, spending quality time with the boys (sans housework... they take up way too much time I think!) and eating all the food & fruits that doesn't exist in the UK. The best part has to be food! We spend a fair amount eating out and having a great meal while in Shanghai. I just luv my food!

Well, all good things have to come to an end. Holidays included! Can't say I'm looking forward to going back but then that's life. I'm just thankful that technology has enabled me to keep in touch with friends from all over so I guess I've to rely on it. TTFN!

~ Shanghai Weekend ~

Saturday

Headed off to Yuyuan Gardens to see temples & a typical Chinese garden. As usual, it was packed with the locals. Then we headed to the shops to get ginseng & Chinese tea leaves.

Outside Yuyuan Gardens

Inside the courtyard of the temple

Shop specialising in Chinese herbs

After that, we headed to a state-run restaurant to have Peking duck. OMG, the food was delicious. The duck are cooked in an oven akin to those for pizzas. Then a chef comes out & slices the duck in very fine pieces. The carcass is then used for soup & any small duck remains are cooked with vegetables. This had to be one of the best meal I had.

Chef slicing the duck

Dessert: pumpkin cake

Headed to The Bunt to see the lights!

Brilliant place!

Sunday

The men went to play golf in the morning. How they managed in the blistering heat is beyond comprehension. Then we headed to Sheraton hotel for a champagne brunch. An amazing spread of food, just simply mouth-watering!

Lobsters & prawns

Suckling Pig

I did the honours of cutting the chocolate cake. The taste was to die for!

The dessert section

There was just so much to eat! Simply amazing!

In the evening, E brought us for a traditional Chinese massage. Man, it was good! Felt the tension & stiffness of my neck & back lifted.

It's our last nite in Shanghai! Enjoyed the shopping but not the weather ... way too hot for me. Got so tanned simply walking around (despite putting sun block too). But it was great to get together with E. TTFN!

~ Shopping! ~

2 posts in one day! Trying to catch up. Yesterday, we were at the Expo. Today we hit the shops. E brought us to Nanjing Rd Copy Market, a haunt popular with tourists.

Behind this cocoon sits the cab driver! I find it rather amusing.

Oh gosh, we spent loads! Got myself a pair of winter boots, silk scarves, jeans & shoes! My boys had winter coats. Hubs got himself a shirt & watch. We were quite restrained in our spending but I could easily go overboard!

Got myself a shopping bag as I'm alway forgetting to bring it to a supermarket. That will stay in my car!

An example of the shops!

Haggling over prices is greatly encouraged as the opening price is always ridiculously high! We got most of the stuff between 60 - 80% off. There a technique to it - stick to how much you are willing to pay & walk away if they don't accept. Inevitably, they will call you back & give in to your price. We did just that & got what we wanted to pay! It helps that E speaks the language! I do as well although not as good as her!

Hubs & moi are currently suffering from upset tummies so we went home to rest. Plans had to change as a result. For dinner, we headed out to a joint popular with the expat community. We had steak & it tasted so good!

Moi & E!

Not sure what tomorrow brings but hopefully not too hot! I'm having a hard time coping with the immense, high humidity! TTFN!

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~ Shanghai Expo 2010 ~

We spent the morning at the fabric market but not before seeing an old part of Shanghai.

Old Shanghai

At the fabric market, I ended up buying a winter coat (akin to red riding hood style). I left it to my friend to do the haggling & I paid very cheaply for a well-tailored coat. Hubs got 2 shirts made to measure.

The afternoon was spent at the Expo! We took the tube there but not before undergoing intense body & bag search. Gosh, it was crowded, which didn't help by the intense heat. It was flipping hot (at least 37 deg Celsius.) The ground of the Expo was massive. We went to the themed pavilions. Basically countries were given a pavilion to decorate & some went to great lengths to showcase them.

The UK Pavilion

The Spanish Pavilion

The Chinese Pavilion

My opinion of the Expo... Not worth going unless you are prepared to queue 2 hrs to enter the pavilion. And that's for each pavilion. Hubs & moi couldn't be bothered to do it. The queue was massive & feedback from those who did queue wasn't great.

Hubs & moi returned thoroughly exhausted, both from the heat & the amount of walking we did. TTFN!

PS. Excuse if blog post is weird as I can't even see my blog as Internet usage is heavily monitored here and certain sites are banned, Blogger included.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone