Happy New Year

Hi all! As we close 2010, I'd like to wish you all a very happy New Year! May 2011 be a great year for you filled with many great things that brings you joy and happiness.

I am enjoying my last weekend here in Jakarta. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. Christmas eve, my mom cooked a wonderful steamboat dinner, and my uncle also get to join us. It was awesome! My brothers and I kept joking around and we just laughed so hard teasing each other and sharing memories.

At one point, my mom was sniffling due to runny nose and my brother jokingly said, mom, why are you crying. My mom's replied had me stopped for a second. She said, "I am teary eyed because it's so wonderful to hear the laughter of all my kids at the dinner table again." I think at that moment, all of us felt such gratefulness.

I don't take anything for granted. I savor every moment, every laugh, every hugs, jokes, etc. I want to remember it all. This Christmas trip means the world to me. My family totally spoiled me. My older brother commented how his siblings (me and my younger brother) could be so independent, yet as soon as we're by our mom, we could be like a baby again. LOL. I had to laugh. That's so true. :)

Anyway, more stories later. Again, have a blessed New Year and my this coming year brings you health, prosperity, happiness, and joy. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011!!! Cheers....

Hello

Hi peeps! How are you doing? I am enjoying my time with my family in Jakrta. It feels great to be able to talk face to face with them, hugging my mom, chatting all day long, etc. I am really close with my family and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, that I don't even want to sleep in and waste time sleeping.

I also got to meet up with my best friend from high school, who came to visit me with her mom, whom I haven't seen since 1994. That was so awesome. Hoping I will get to meet some other friends while I'm still here.

Literally, there's so many things to do and so many catching up to do. 2 weeks is really not enough, but I so appreciate all the time I have with them.

Since hubby couldn't come with me, I took a bunch of picture to show him what Jakarta looks like and all the yummy food we have. I plan on sharing those pics with you all as well when I'm back in the States.

For now, I just want to say a quick hi and I'm sorry that I can't check out your blog at the moment. I'm only accessing computer during short down time here and there. Hope you all have a great week! Hugs. :)

Wee Memories Color of The Season

Hi peeps, it's time for Wee Memories new challenge. This week our theme is "Color of The Season" and we are sponsored by Pink Cat Studio.

Here's my card for this challenge using their Birds on A Wire digi stamp:

I hope you will join us on this fun challenge! The lucky winner will get 5 Digital Stamps of your choice from Pink Cat Studio. For more inspirations, go check out what the DT gals created at Wee Memories blog.

I am enjoying my time with my family and looking forward to eating some yummy Indonesian food that I've been craving for a while! Have a great weekend, everyone! Cheers....

Hi From Singapore / Jakarta

Hi all! I am editing the blog from Changi airport during transit. I do love Singapore airport. They're nice, safe, and many internet kiosk where you can use internet for free.

My flight was great. I did a movie marathon. I watched 3 movies on my way from houston to Moscow (Legend of the Guardian, Salt, and Inception). Then from Moscow to Houston I watched Despicable Me. Only one movie as my need for sleep finally catching up with me.

As this post goes up, I should already be in Jakarta and there could only be 2 options. Either I am able to stay awake and enjoying catching up with my mom, brother & SIL or I am passed out from jet lag. There's 13 hours difference between Houston & Jakarta, so it's quite an adjustment. When I am editing this it's 7AM, Singapore time. Feel pretty fresh & awake. can't wait to see my mom. A few hours later, I probably crash! :)

I already plan on having at least one day of pampering. Thank goodness that my aunt from my dad's side has a salon/spa place. So, I'll be taking advantage of getting some massage & pampering. I love, love Indonesian spa. One of the best out there. After jet lag, massage is definitely helpful. :)

Okay, today I have a couple projects to share. First one is a Christmas tag / tree ornaments I made using one of A Day For Daisies new releases called "Just Hanging Out" for their "Tag & Tassel" challenge. I started this as holiday tag, but it looks so adorable that I ended up hanging it on our Christmas tree. Can I say, that I love, love the way this one came out. :)

The tassel was made using baker's twine from The Twinery. Below is a closer look of the tag. Aren't those cubs the cutest? Love the one that lay on its back & snuggling on the mama's bear paw. Truly one of my favorite image from all the Christmas stamp I have. Go check out what the DT gals created using the new releases HERE and would love for you to join us on this fun challenge.

Here are the new releases and you can buy them at A Day For Daisies.

Next, is a card I made for Mami Doodles "Anything Goes" challenge using this sweet image "The Storyteller". Check out Mami Doodles DT creations HERE. With anything goes theme, you know how easy it is to enter your card.

Hope you enjoy your visit here and have a great Friday!!

Skipping A Day

Today is the day that I somehow skipped during my flight to Indonesia. Yep, I left on Wednesday afternoon and by the time I arrive in Indonesia, it'll be Friday already. No Thursday for me.

I am guessing, when this post goes up, I am somewhere between Moscow & Singapore?? And, missing my husband dearly already.

Here's a quick post of another simple tag I made. I love turtles. Used to have a couple that I named Valentino & Rafael (from Ninja Turtles) and yes, I have a little collection of turtles stuff. I have weaknesses toward cute & cuddly stuff (translation: stuff animals). Luckily, they're all mini size, otherwise I wouldn't have a place to put them.

Oy, I rambled all over the place, didn't I? Hope this post goes up without a glitch and I pray that I arrive safely in Jakarta. Hugs!

Leaving On A Jet Plane

Peeps, today is the day!! I'm leaving on a jet plane! Love that song by the way. I am working only half a day and then I'll be heading to the airport and start my 27 hours long trip to Jakarta! Yay!! LOL, I have to try to pump myself up when it comes to the flying part. Even though, I can sleep on the flight, it's not the most comfy position. Hope the trip will goes safely and smoothly.

Before I go on my trip, here's another card for you using A Day For Daisies "Just Hanging Out". I simply adore this image. It's such a peaceful image of mother bear and her cubs. This is part of the new releases that they will release this Friday. You can get them HERE on Friday.

I have a couple post schedule to go up while I am gone. Not for every day, though as I didn't have enough time to make cards for all those days. So, I'll be seeing you all again when I come back. Have a happy holidays you all.

Thank You

Yesterday, I received this from Ren-Yi and it totally made me smile. To ALL OF YOU who supported Caring Hearts Card Drive, this is for you from the residents at The Pavilions at Forrestal Assisted Living in Princetown, New Jersey.

Thank you, Ren-Yi for all your help in distributing the cards and thank you Pam (the activity director) for all the care and for this sweet pic.

On to eye candy. Last weekend, I was on a roll in making holiday tags. Here's a couple tags I made using Denami Design penguin stamps. A simpler version than the one I did for Sunday's post. :)

As I count down the hours for my trip to Jakarta, my sweet hubby is counting down the days of me being back home again. Due to circumstances, he couldn't go with me. :( We really don't like being away from each other, but he knows how much I miss my family. I'm thankful  to have such a sweet & supportive hubby!Really wish he could go with me. Thank goodness for phone and email!!

Peeps, hope you have a great Tuesday and stay warm.

A Day For Daisies

If you're looking for my Denami Blog Hop post please clik HERE or scroll down. Thank you.

Hi peeps, how's your weekend? Another Caring Hearts update. This Saturday, my friend Leslie and I went to the nursing homes to deliver Caring Hearts Card package to the resident. Some of the residents totally light up when they saw the card. One gentleman, his face just totally light up, he's so excited over his card & I heard him saying, "This is so pretty." That warms my heart.

On the other hand, I have to say I was quite disappointed with the administrative/nurses that were there. We had to wander around the place trying to find the residents, while the nurses we did see, just kept chatting around with one another. This place is currently being sue for neglect. :( I decided to still support this place, because I believe the residents probably really, really need the cheer even more. I pray that even if in the smallest way, our cards help brighten their days. Seeing this in person, I truly want to reach more places next year.

Move on to card, I am excited to announce that I am joining A Day For Daisies DT. They have such whimsical design that I fall in love with their image as soon as I saw them. To celebrate my new adventure, here's a card I made using "Christmas Pixie Two" that you can download for free from A Day For Daisies challenge blog. 

Challenges:

Card Patterns - SKETCH

Stamp Something - anything digital

Stampavie and More - christmas

Simon Says Stamp - christmas but no red or green

Only two more days before my trip. Eekk... So many things to do, so little time. I'm excited & trying to calm my nerves down. Long flight always make me nervous. :) Sometime, it's mind boggling to think wow, in 2 days, I'll be flying and be on the opposite side of the world. I don't take things for granted, I am quirky I guess that even stuff like that sometime makes me wonder in appreciation. Can you imagine back to the day when the only mean of transporation was train or ship. Goodness, how long it'd take to go to the opposite side of the world? 

Okay, I'll stop rambling. Thank you all for stopping by! May your week starts fabulously!

Denami Holiday Tag Blog Hop

Hi all, happy Sunday and welcome to Denami Blog Hop! Glad to have you join us. If you come to my blog from TINA then you're on the right track. As always, if you miss any link, you can always go to Denami blog for a complete list of the participants.

This month the theme for the hop is "Holiday Tag". I already have the idea in mind for awhile of how I want to do my tag. A few weeks ago I created a ribbon Christmas tree for one of my Christmas card and it was so much fun, that I decided to do it again. It's such a quick way to create a bunch of Christmas tree. All I did just layered several ribbon, like about 6" long,  and  then cut it in a zig zag with my paper trimmer and voila... I get several  trees ready to use.

Here's the first two tags using the penguins. For a little detail I added liquid applique & then heat it up for the hat, creating those yummy puffy stuff.

And, here the other 3 tags. I painted the blue background using glimmer glazed and in person, you could see the pretty shimmer of the glaze. This was my first time trying the glimmer glaze and still debating how much I like it. The ones I try come with brush and I think I prefer the spray one. Maybe once I get use to it, I'll like it more. :)

Hope you like the tags and from here please hop on over to KAREN. Thank you all for stopping by and would love to hear what you think about the tags. Have a blessed Sunday!

Wee Memories CASE challenge

Yesterday, one of my Christmas wish come true! I've been submitting cards to Paper Crafts and yesterday, I finally received my first happy email from them. I have 3 cards accepted for Paper Crafts Card Creations: Volume 9! Sooo happy! As soon as I saw the email I did the super excited silent whoop! LOL, I was at work, so can't really yell out loud. I just did the jumping up and down and called hubby to share the news. I think I almost hyper ventilated because I was so excited. :)

Just have to share my happy news. Now, on to this week challenge from Wee Memories "CASE your favorite designer" sponsored by Limelight Papercrafts.

                               

Have to say this is one of my favorite challenge. Of course, I have several favorite designers. I think that's the fun part, deciding who to CASE and then which card?!

I decided to CASE the amazing Heather Pulvirenti. Her cards always has that crisp clean design I totally admire. From all her fabulous cards, I case THIS card. And here's my card that I am also entering for Moxie Fab Favorite Occasion Week: Love challenge.

As soon as  I saw Heather's card, I knew right away I want to use the Asian Fusion set from Papertrey Ink. It's been awhile since I used it and this card come out exactly the way I envisioned it. I also did the french knot to make the center for each flowers. For the butterflies, I stamped Hero Arts Friends definition (courtesy of, Trinh), punch out the butterfly, and distressed the edges.

Here's an upclose of the french knot and the butterflies. I sure hope you will join us on this fun challenge and I cannot wait to see who you're going to CASE!

Check out who Wee Memories DT CASE for  this challenge and see their amazing creations HERE.

Later this morning, with my girlfriend, Leslie, I will be hand delivering the cards from Caring Hearts Card Drive to Afton Oaks Nursing Homes. I will ask them if I can take some pics. My last weekend before my trip. Sorry, don't mean to bore you with the count down of my trip, but I can't help being super excited. :) Have a super duper great weekend! Hugs! 

Happy Friday

Happy Friday, fabulous peeps! How are you today? I feel like I've been in creative mood lately. I made quite a few cards this week that I am very happy with the result. I guess, knowing that I won't be making cards for a couple weeks while I am gone for my Christmas trip, makes me want to make card a lot more lately.

I am so thrilled to see my Christmas card HERE is featured on CARDS quick & simple Christmas card challenge. That just made my day. Here's another variation of the card. Still simple & quick.

Challenges:

A Spoonful Of Sugar - christmas, Dutch Dare - christmas

Little Red Wagon - die cuts,  Stampavie and More - christmas

Stampin' Royalty - winter holidays,  Paper Take Weekly - christmas in non-traditional colors

And, I have another card. Taking a break from Christmas card, I made a birthday card for this week Mami Doodles "Anything Goes" challenge. I'm using one of my favorite image from Mami Doodles, Madeline Bakes A Cake. And, yep... I'm going all in with bright, cheerful colors.

Challenges:

Hodge Podge Shop - birthday cards

Crafty Pad - anything goes

The DT created some awesome, awesome projects, go check them out HERE. And, I hope you will join us in this fun challenge.

Folks, a week from now, I should be landing in Jakarta and be with my mom and brothers. I am excited, okay... a bit nervous, too. Long flight always makes me a bit nervous. With stop & transfer the whole trip is about 27 hours. This would be my first transfer through Moscow. Hah... too bad I can't bring all my cards stuff so I can just make cards during the flight. LOL, I can just imagine if my glitter spills on the person next to me, oopss... sorry I covered you with glitters. Yeah, don't think they'd appreciate that. :) I hope they have good movies on board!

Anyway, my blog will be a bit empty during that trip. I"ll try to have some post scheduled, but you know how it is with scheduled post, sometime they go up with no glitch and sometime they don't. Well, a few more hours to the weekend! Have a blast Friday! Cheers....

Birthday Card

Quick post for today. I was in the mood to make CAS card and want to make a card for Moxie Fab Card Creations Favorite Occasion Week Birthday Challenge. So, here's what I came up with.

Challenges:

Little Red Wagon - die cuts

Tuesday Throwdown - clean and simple

Allsorts - candle

I'm loving the white on white. The "birthday wishes" was cut using Silhouette. Then I colored all the little part of the "i", glued them directly to the card panel, then adhere the birthday wishes on top of it using pop-dots. Add stickles to the candle flame.

This week is my week off from Paper Play, but they do have new fun challenge and this week theme is "Holiday Tag". Go check out the DT creations HERE and hope you will play along with us.

And, don't forget you have till Friday midnight tomorrow to join Wee Memories Holiday Music Inspirations challenge! You all have a great Thursday! Hugs!

Santa Claus

Did you watch Glee episode last night? I love Glee! Goodness, I got teary eyed watching it, when the Christmas "miracle" happened. The show last night just make me think, how so true that many of us forgot the true meaning of Christmas. How many of us forget the excitement of Christmas day, of waiting for Santa, etc. More often than not, we probably find it what a chore it is to get all the present lined up, to get things done, etc.

On the show, it shows Brittany still believe in Santa (eventhough she's already in highschool). I was like, yeah, what's wrong for believing in Santa? If that makes that person feels good, by all means believe in Santa. For me, I do still believe in Santa. I don't find it hard to believe that the jolly fella do exist. It makes me happy that I can still belive in that.

I also believe in Santa, in a sense of people who make Christmas miracle happen. People who give present for the homeless kid, who quietly help the elderly, who gives their shoes off their feet to the homeless guy who cried on the street (I know the person who did this and will forever admire him for this). I know there's many, many good hearted people out there, who by their simple gesture of kindness create miracle on other people's live.

Watching the show last  night, make me feel all warm & fuzzy. I am a kid at heart, I don't act like my age many times, but hey, if it makes me all giddy for Christmas, I am okay with it. I love feeling the giddiness and the excitement. I think it's important for one not to loose the kid in them. So, do you believe in Santa? :)

Anyway, moving on to card.

Challenges:

A Spoonful Of Sugar - christmas

Paper Take Weekly - christmas in non-traditional colors

Tuesday Taggers - deck the halls

Tuesday Throwdown - clean and simple

Alphabet - f is for foliage



This is my last card for MyGrafico DT. We get to play with Cupcake Cuties "Traditional Christmas Damask Papers" and Chery Wenger "Vintage Pine" set. Our challenge theme this week is "ANYTHING GOES". I truly enjoy being in MyGrafico DT, but, it's time to move on. I wish all the girls all the best and I am sure I'll continue bumping into many of them on blog land.

You all have a great Wednesday and I hope you'll find the excitement for Christmas in you heart. May Santa fulfill your wish list or may you be a Santa to someone! :)

Caring Hearts Feedback

Yesterday, I received an email from Pam Singer, the activities director for the nursing home in New Jersey that received our Caring Hearts cards package.  This is what she said (edited a bit to make it shorter): "Our Residents enjoyed receiving the cards. I did ask our Resident for some feedback.  Many were very impressed!  Others seemed unaware of the artwork, but were more curious about the various places the cards were from.  Some Residents asked if they were required to write back.  I explained to my best abilities that this was an effort coordinated by some card makers to bring cheer and joy during the holidays. I think that the cards are so beautiful, that our Residents will probably save them to enjoy in the future!  Please share with your group that the cards were well received, and that we all appreciate the artistry and love put into making them."

I asked her if there's any picture that she can share with us and just waiting to hear back from her. Thought you'd love to hear the feedback from those that received your cards. :) They do make a difference even if it's only in a small way. I always believe that many times a small act of kindness as simple as making other smiles, can go a long way. And, with so many bad things happen in the world nowadays, I think it's even more important to focus on the good thing, on being kind, and helping spread that kindness.

Sigh... Christmas always makes me wish we could do more to make a difference in the world. It's like as soon as December comes, suddenly there's like magic in the air, where I just wish the world be in a better place, where I can't help but wish everyone can have a nice Christmas. 

Okay, enough sappy-ness (is that how I supposed to spell it??). On to my card for today. I made a super quick card using Peace Be Still set from Papertrey Ink. 

Clean and simple. Love it! I whipped this in 5 minutes and made several more in lest than half hour. Great for when you're short on time. :) I hope you all have a blessed Tuesday and may your December be merry!

PS: Sorry, the font came up funky on my screen and had to try re-posting sevreal times to correct it.

Brrr....

Yikes... today is pretty darn cold here in my neck of the wood. 34 degree is way too cold for me. Yeah, yeah, for those of you who live in the cold weather area, you probably think I'm such a baby. :) But, hey I come from tropical country and just like my mom, I am whiny when it comes to cold. LOL, hubby grew up in Chicago, Michigan area and whenever I whine, he always joke that I won't survive in Michigan and I always tell him that's why we're not living in Michigan, cause I know my limit when it comes to cold weather.

Literally, my hands & feet can get so freezing cold even with the heater on. Happy to say though, that in 10 days, I'll be flying out to some hot weather! So excited about my trip, I'm like a chicken running around with no head. Hah... excited getting things ready, frantic trying to make sure all the stuff for works lined up, frantic still trying to get all Christmas stuff ready. I haven't even send out my Christmas cards. Last minute me as usual. :)

I do have a cute card to share with you, using one of my favorite stamp from Lily of The Valley. Seriously, I love this stamp!

Challenges:
LOTV - A Few of My Favorite Things

AiFactory - winter

Paper Romance - winter

Stampavie and More - snow / snowflakes

Tuesday Throwdown - embellish it

Paper Take Weekly - sketch

And that Merry Christmas ribbon, love it, love it, love it! And, even better, I got it at such a good price at Michael's. It make such a fun & quick embellishment. 

Well, that's all for today's peeps. My hands feel like icicle. Time for some hot tea. Thank you all for stopping by and for all your lovely comments. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment and love reading them. May your week start fabulously! Cheers....

Holiday Music Inspiration

Hi peeps! Happy weekend! It's time for a new Wee Memories challenge. This week we are sponsored by DeNami Designs and the theme is to create a project inspired by holiday music.

The stamp I got from DeNami made me think of the song Caroling, Caroling and then when it came to the sentiment, I was humming to the song Noel, so I ended up choosing that for my sentiment. :) Made the card using the sketch from Simons Says Stamp.

Check out all the DT creations HERE.

I have a busy weekend with only 10 days left before my trip! So excited. Dreading the long flight a little bit. About 26 hours of flight & transit. I've been saving my magazines for the trip, so I have plenty of reading materials and hoping for good movies on board. Anyway, I'm going through my list, working on Christas cards, trying to start packing, etc., before I knew it, it'll be time to fly out. Sigh... my blog will be a bit lonely for 20 days or so.

Enjoy your weekend and may it be filled with things that make you happy! Cheers.

Counting My Blessings

Last night, hubby and I went to dinner with my girlfriends, Leslie & Joy. We had lots of fun catching up with them. I love these 2 girls and I do consider them among the influential people in my life. They accept me just the way I am and with them I can truly be myself, silly, serious, and everything in between.

I'll never forget how Leslie reached out to me during one of my lowest point (this was way before we're even close) and she said to me how everything will be allright. I'll never forget that. And, Joy has such a kind heart. She knows ow to brighten your day. They are the best friend that everyone wish  they have. Truly, these 2 girls helped me to be a better person & friend. I have changed so much (for the better) since I met them. I used to be so shy, keep everything bottled up, let people walk all over me, and they taught me that I am special and it's okay to speak up my mind & stand up for myself. They are good influence for me. Simply said, this holiday season I count them among the many blessings I am thankful for.

With this rambling, this card shows exactly how I feel about them. And, I am entering this card for Card Creations: Favorite Occasion challenge at Moxie Fab World.

Challenges:

Woodware USA - anything goes 

Marks Finest Paper - add a bow

I love the way this card turned out. I recently found this new digital stamp company that I just totally adore. The company is A Day For Daisies. They have such sweet style and I'm so excited when I get to play with this adorable image. Love, love, love this image!

And, a quick reminder, have you send in your cards for Wee Memories "Ribbon" challenge? You have till midnight tonight to play. Hope you all have a great Friday! Cheers...

Paper Play Monochromatic

Hi peeps! How are you all doing? Today, I have new challenge for you at Paper Play Challenges. This week we're sponsored by Whimsy Stamps and the theme is monochromatic. It could be any color of your choice as long as they are monochromatic colors.

For mine, I picked aqua blue, except for the hair. I just didn't think blue hair would go well with this angel sweet face. :) The background was embossed using Papertrey impression plate. The card actually has really pretty shimmer to it as I sprayed the background with perfect pearl (mix with water).

Challenges:

Crafty Little Place - anything goes

Scrap-Creations - anything goes

Craft Your Passion - monochromatic

Stamps R Us - holiday cards

Don't forget to check out all the DT creations HERE and I sure hope you will join us and play along.

Are you gals almost done with your Christmas cards? I am not. Yikes... there's so much thing to do before my trip and I do want to spend some quality time with hubby, too. So, I decided that as much as I'd love to send fancy handmade Christmas cards to all my friends, I just wouldn't stress about it. Whatever I get to finish, that's it. After all, Christmas is more about actually spending time with your love ones, right?

EDITED TO ADD: I never heard back from Caring Hearts Prize Winner for Just Some Lines $15 worth of digi stamp, so had to choose another winner. THERESA POLLACK you're the lucky one! Please contact me ASAP. Thank you.

Enjoy your Thursday! Cheers...

My Grafico "Anything Goes"

Happy December! Seems like as soon as December starts the air feels different. It seems more jolly, in my opinion. Today, is exactly 2 more weeks before I get to go to Jakarta and see my family for Christmas. I wish hubby could go with me. This would be the first time we're apart for a long period and on top of that it's Christmas. His parents will keep him company while I am gone, but still, so wishing he could go with me. Of course, our doggies would argue with that. :)

Anyway, I have new card for you for MyGrafico "Anything Goes" challenge. This week, the DT get to play with the vintage "Christmas Digital Stamps" by Blackleaf Studio and "Let It Snow" patterned paper set from Jazzy Patterns.

Here's a peek of what's included with the 2 sets that we get to play with. You can check out the rest of the DT works here.

Well, don't have much else to write about. What's new at your neck of the wood? Care to share? Wishing you all a great December!