Avocado Arts

Well, what do you know... the first  half of the year already passed and we're on our way to the second half. Time flew by so fast!

With July here, it's also mark my official start with Avocado Arts. There are 5 of us newbies that joining Avocado Arts Pit Crew (Ashley Harris is the 5th member) and I am so thrilled to be working with the fabulous ladies on this team.

                                  

Today, I used AA July's set called  Bold Celebration.

I decided to make a long card and of course, I have to go with bright colors to make this cheerful card. For extra texture, I curled up the end of the banners.

Please stop by the AA blog for more inspiration. And don't forget to check out my other teammates' blogs! You are going to love what they share today!!!!

 AJ Otto

Becky Oehlers

Cristal Hobbs

Latisha Yoast

Ashley Harris

Thank you so much for stopping by here and wishing you all a beautiful Sunday. :)

Operation Safe & Sound

Hi everyone. I have a special post today. Recently, my friend and team mate from Lawnscaping challenge, Christy's home was broken into and a lot of their things were stolen and destroyed. 

What makes our community so remarkable is that we are there for each other even though we can't physically be near our friends. These "people" violated her home, the place where we are supposed to feel the most safe, where we raise our children and where we sleep in peace. Dealing with the police and insurance company has been and continues to be exhausting and frustrating for Christy and her family.

Some of us have come together to help and cheer her up. We are of course making cards for her because that's what we do, right? But ultimately, the expense of trying to get her family back on their feet will be somewhat of a strain. Imagine having to replace household items, necessities in our world all while trying to rebuild a sense of security that we all most times take for granted. 

So, we're asking for your help. We've tried to make it convenient for you to help Christy and her family. There's a PayPal button on each of our blogs. We are asking that if its your hearts desire, that you donate whatever you can to help Christy and her family regain a sense of safety and security.  NOTHING is too small. Every little bit will make all the difference. Our goal is to raise $1,000 to help cover the costs of food, lodging and replacing at least some of the items taken.

Thank you for even reading this post in its entirety.  And, here's my card:

I first stamped and heat embossed a piece of cardstock and then cut the bird using Mister Q. Then covered the bird with glimmer glaze and add the eye using black enamel. The beautiful silk ribbon is from May Arts.

If you're interested in seeing all of the cards, a full list of girls who are participating in the card drive  is available at the Lawnscaping Challenge blog & A Blog Named Hero". 

Thank you so much for your visit and thank you for joining us in our effort to help Christy. Have a blessed weekend everyone.

Happy Birthday To Me

Today I am officially turned 37! Although, honestly I don't feel like my age or quite often don't even act like my age. LOL. Did I mention I have Peter Pan syndrome? ;)

My birthday always start a day early as even though it's only the 27th here, it's already the 28th in Indonesia.  So, yesterday I already got a bunch of birthday wishes. Then this morning the doggies barking and woke me up at 4am and sweet hubby half asleep sang happy birthday. LOL.

Let's start the celebration with a birthday card, shall we.

This card was a publication reject, but I still think it's pretty neat. 

As usual on my birthday I like to post random stuff. 37 stuff kind of a lot, so, I'll just do 21. I don't want to torture anyone with a super long list. :)

1. I am most grateful for my mom. Not only she carried me around for 9 months and popped me out (hi Mom), she also shaped me into who I am today. Most influential person in my life.

2. I am thankful for my thoughtful hubby. He'd wake up in the middle of the night to take care of the doggies just so I can continue sleeping. He treats me like a princess and I love him to pieces (oh hey, it's rhyme... hah).
3. I would do anything for my brothers. I adore and admire my brothers tremendously. I look up to them.

4. Every single day I thank God for the greatest blessing of all, a great, loving, close knit family. That our family even as we expand as each kid got married, we all get along so well and we really do like and love each other.

5. I love pugs. 

6. I am a softie and a cry baby at heart.

7. I am impatient in general, but I have the patience to fussy cut an intricate image. 

8. I keep a list of movies that I watch each year.

9. I could name a movie, even one I haven't seen, just by looking at the actor's outfit or a quick scene. Am a bit obsessed with movie.

10. Going to Greece is on my bucket list.

11. It's my dream that one of this day my card will make it on the cover of a magazine.

12. Currently I love listening to audio book while I am driving or working in my craft room.

13. I love fantasy book like Harry Potter or Fable Heaven. The kid in me just love fairies and magical world.

14. I believe in nurturing the kid inside you.

15. I have learned that when you go through a bad time in your life it's an opportunity for better time in the making.

16. I believe in angels.

17. I shared my  birthday with my uncle.

18. In  high school I love geography and biology because we did lots of drawing that allowed me to use plenty of colorful pens.

19. I am bad with direction. I get lost all the time and that's why hubby got me a tomtom. :D

20. I consider myself a practical person.

21. Never fails that each year, I get homesick on my birthday. I miss celebrating my birthday with my family. 

I think this card is appropriate since I am feeling a bit  melancholy today. I decided that one of this day I will go home during my birthday, so I can celebrate with them again. :)

I am grateful for my life. The good and the bad, both shaped me into the person I am today. I am not taking anything good in my life for granted. I realize how easy things could change. I hope all the people that close to me know that I love them and that I appreciate them. I hope that I continue to be the person that my parents can be proud of. 

I am thankful for so much. I am thankful for my family, immediate family and extended family, for my health, my job (I just got a raised, woot.. woot), my hobbies, my friends, and  the fact that I still get carded when I buy alcohol. I like to thank them when they do ask me for my ID. :)

You're reading this all the way to the end?? Then you are AWESOME! Thank you all so much for stopping by here and many of you send your wished through FB, please know I truly grateful for your friendship and thoughtfulness. Hugs....

Heroes Card Drive

Have you heard about Heroes Card Drive that Laurel Beard has put together over at Lawnscaping? You may or may not be aware that laurel's husband Christian has just left for deployment with the U.S Navy. I get to meet right before his deployment and just like Laurel, he's super nice. 

She is organizing this card drive to collect cards to send to the men and women that service alongside her husband on their ship. Please click here for all the details!

We are looking for quality, handmade cards FOR OUR TROOPS TO SEND to their loved ones. Out on the field, many of our soldiers do not have the opportunity to purchase a card to send for their child's birthday or simply to tell their significant other that they love them and are thinking about them. We want to provide them this service. 

I hope you'll be able to join us and send along some cards. :)

New Kitchen

This weekend was a very productive weekend for me. We're finally getting new kitchen cabinets! Hubby had waited for 9 years for this. :) Through out the whole week, I cleaned out the old kitchen cabinets and we get rid of a lot of stuff.  It was quite liberating.  

And, our old kitchen cabinets didn't go to waste either. One of our vendor took it to use at his place. Love it when things get recycle and go to good use.

We pretty much been working on beautifying the house since we got together. There's certain satisfaction to see the house coming together and getting better with each project we completed. And, lucky me that hubby is super handy. Many of the projects we did it ourselves, okay 85% hubby and 15% me. LOL. I am really good at supervising, though. :)

Now, we're pretty much done with any house project and we can just enjoy it. Today, the plumber and the electrician will come and then I should be able to put everything back. Yay!!

Since we're talking kitchen today, I thought I also share this apron card  that I made for Paper Crafter's Library post last month. 

And below is pic of the card with a gift card inside the front pocket of the apron.

Now, I have to brainstorm for birthday present idea. My birthday is coming  up in 3 days and hubby been asking what I want for my birthday and I don't have any answer for him. I know, I know a girl can't have too many stamps, but I think he wants to give me something special other than stamps. 

Every time I get a new shipment of stamps, he always joke, really you need more? LOL, I don't think he realize that I will always have a stamp wish list. Hubby's friends pretty jealous of him because I never ask for jewelry or anything like that. I told him I am way too practical for things like that. I only wear my engagement & wedding ring from him and necklace from my mom, so why would I ask for jewelry if I rarely take off these 3 standard staples?

Time to ponder and come up with some list... :) Have a blessed week everyone.

Becky Oehlers Stamps

Today, I have an exciting crafty news to share. I've been asked and have delightfully accepted to join Becky Oehlers' mini design team. She is joining Gina K Designs as their stamp illustrator. You probably already familiar with her clean design style as she previously she designed some fabulous sets for Papertrey Ink. 

I met Becky through Avocado Arts (which I am joining as well and my term with them will starts in July) and when she asked me to join her team, I was pleasantly surprised and honored. I will start sharing Becky's design starting in July. I can tell you that you will love her fabulous clean design style!

Another fun news, the new Paper Crafts Stamp It! Cards is finally out! I have 3 cards published in this edition and here's a look at one of the card, featuring my favorite gnome. :)

And,  last but not least, here's a card I made for SP & Company (was posted on their blog on Monday). Shocker... I actually used 4 patterned paper for this card. :)

And... if  you joined SP & Company June Release blog hop, the winners from the blog hops been announced HERE. Hint.. hint... someone who left a comment from my blog is one of the winner. So, check it out, see if it's you. :) Have a fabulous Friday everyone.

May Arts & G45 Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to May Arts & G45 blog hop. All week long, both teams will be bringing you tons of inspirations. Each day you can hop around to 4-5 blogs and simply by leaving comments, you would be entered for this week giveaway. For a prize detail and for a complete list of the blog hop participants for each day, please go to May Arts or G45 blog.

As you might remember, the fist time I used G45 products marked the day I tried on vintage style, which to my surprise lead to an acceptance letter from Paper Crafts for vintage card category (up coming Nov/Dec issue). So, needless to say the vintage style kind of grow on me a bit.

This time I get to play with G45 beautiful Tropical Travelogue collection. And I am  glad that I can combine the vintage look with my CAS style. Here's a look at my cards.

For both cards, I cut out the flowers from the patterned paper. I mean seriously, you could get loads of cards made from this one collection. And, depends on how you use them , you can create a simple CAS card or a vintage looking card.

For the ribbon part, I used May Arts velvet woven ribbon (PV16). On the first card, I folded the ribbons a couple time and on the second one I just leave it straight. It's my first time playing with the velvet ribbon and boy, this ribbon is so lush (hah... I sound like a British, but that's the best way to describe this ribbon). ;)

Please check out these blogs and leave some love for a chance to win some May Arts & G45 goodies. Today's blog to hop to are:

Arlene Cuevas

Jim, The Gentleman Crafter

Betto Cesare

Vera --- you are here

Latrice

Karen

Thank you so much for stopping by here. Have a beautiful day!

Lawnscaping & Household Stuff

Are you ready for a new Lawnscaping challenge? This time the challenge is to create a project with a color splash and we are sponsored by Lawn Fawn.

And, here's my card with a splash of turquoise color. Who said koala bear has to be gray? I often have to remind myself this that when I am creating to not limit myself to the standard color. It's okay to use non traditional color. Go ahead and color a tree red, purple, whatever instead of the standard green. Color your sky pink. Let your imagination go wild. :)

Please check out the DT samples at Lawnscaping. And, in case you missed it, yesterday we just announced the girls that are joining  our team. Check it out HERE.

Now, random stuff. I love Pinterest. For me, it's a source for lots of cuteness (I pinned lots of cute animals on my Animal World board), inspiration for my future vision board (a girl can always dream to have a house by the lake or on the beach),  and a source for many DIY cleaning stuff.

As someone that's environmentally conscious I am trying to be more green and try to start making my own stuff. I mean, after all that time pinning stuff, I should at least try them, too right? And, less chemical to use... even better!

So far, I have tried to make my own bathroom cleaner. Now, we buy distilled vinegar in a gallon since there's so many use for this. Granted it doesn't smell the best, but vinegar works wonder to clean your mirror. No streak. Mixed it with Dawn liquid and you can clean your shower door from any soap scum. Mixed it with baking soda and rinse it with hot water and you get sparkling clean sink in no time.

Then, yesterday I made my first batch of home made laundry softener. I used the recipe from The Frugal Girl HERE. Again, simply by mixing hot water, distilled vinegar and your choice of hair conditioner. Now, instead of the standard fresh laundry smell, our laundry come out smell even better, like my favorite hair conditioner.

Have you made anything from the stuff you pin on Pinterest? Please share and if you have more cleaning tips, I'd love to hear it. Have a blessed day everyone!

A Couple SP & Company Cards

Happy Friday! As always, I love Thursday. The anticipation of weekend is getting close. :) And, yesterday was definitely a happy Thursday as I received a happy acceptance email for 4 of my cards.

And, I cannot wait for Paper Crafts Stamp It! to come out as I already received the check from that publication, which means the magazine is coming out soon and I have 3 cards in there. This year been a good year.

Am working on several DT projects right now, so for today, I'll share my cards that were posted on SP & Company blog, but haven't been posted here.

This butterfly one was posted last week. I am really loving super clean & simple design lately. The butterfly was cut using Mister Q (Silhouette).

Next is the card that was posted on SP & Company blog yesterday. The sentiment stamp is actually a long one line sentiment and I decided to stamp it part at a time to fit it in the rectangle box.

I am looking forward to this afternoon to take Eli to the dog park. Looks like he found a girlfriend. Her name is Nala. :) Hehe... the other dog owner asked us when we're coming again so the puppies could play. together. So, this afternoon is all about Eli. Good thing we don't spoil Eli. ;)

Beach Mae

Last one from Some Odd Girl June Digi release. Peeps, meet Beach Mae. :)

That shimmery bottom background was made of clear microbeads. Back in the days, microbeads were quite the trend in scrapbooking. Like around 2003-2004. Yep, I have them stashed since then. Old, old, old stuff.

I covered the cardstock strip with doubled sided tape and sprinkled the microbeads on top of it and gently rub in to get them really stick. In person, you could see the fun texture much better. For more inspiration from the DT gals, please check Some Odd Girl blog.

Sigh, this card makes me want to go the beach. I hear Hawai'i calling my name. :)

Cheers Kaylee

I am loving the color green at the moment. I think this green just look so refreshing. And, against the white background it stands out nicely. 

Everyone, meet Some Odd Girl Cheers Kaylee!

This is one of my favorite SOG card that I ever made. The whole look of the card totally make my heart beat a bit faster. It just looks so clean & chic. And, am pretty tickle with the sunglasses.

And it's Wednesday, perfect day for happy hour in my book. Cheers.... :)

Tropical Mae

Phew.... what a week this past one week been for me! Between my puggy being sick and working on submission for private call, it was hectic. I did managed to complete roughly 30 cards. Some for submissions, some for DT works, some for CHA, etc. I actually had 2 weeks to work on the submission part, heh..., but as usual my brain didn't start to have all the neat ideas till it's under pressure or in other words as the deadline approaching fast.

Among those card is my card for Some Odd Girl new release week.  This week, Some Odd Girl is releasing 4 fabulous & beautiful digis. Today, we're introducing Tropical Mae.

I think this image would be fun to use for beach theme bridal party invitation as well or any beach theme party. She's just so pretty, in my opinion. As you can see, I am still enjoying playing with spray mist. :)

The DT girls has created some fabulous sample for you, please check them out at Some Odd Girl blog.

Now, I need to let my brain take a break from thinking about card. ;)

SP & Company June Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to SP & Company June Blog Hop. This month's color is Hot Pink! After you're done hopping around today, make sure you play along with this month's Hot Pink challenge (click here for details) for a chance to win some amazing SP and Company prizes!

And, please join us for our Release Celebration that is happening today and tomorrow on the SP Forum HERE.  You can talk to all of the designers, discuss projects and chit chat with other stampers!It's a blast and you don't want to miss out!

Here's my card for today's hop using the new release Chevron border stamp and the sentiment from Sympathy & Care set.

Anyway, don't forget that the random prize patrol is watching so leave a comment on every blog to be eligible for the prizes!! Make sure you pop on over to Chrissie's blog - she has an extra prize to give away! The more blogs you comment on, the better your chances are of winning something fun!

Make sure you check out the SP Blog to see what Samantha did with the new stamps! And don't forget to hop around to each Design Team Member's blog - there are brand new projects with the stamps that came out TODAY to inspire you!

Here is the list of designers that will inspire you today:

Chrissie
Vicki 
Kelli
Michelle
Amber
Vera ---- you are here

Ollie & Birthday Stuff

In our household, the puggies ruled. :) That's just the way it goes. I know, lately I've been showing Eli pics, but today, it's time to share Ollie's pic as she just celebrated her 14th birthday. 

Ollie is my first baby. I have her since she was only 8 weeks old and she is one feisty, bossy pug, but we love her. This week is not the best week for her, though. She's been coughing non-stop and on Wednesday (which was her birthday) we had to take her in to the vet and they suspected collapsed bronchia, and due to her age, surgery is not an option.

So, right now she's under 4 different medications. Needless to say, hubby and I haven't had a good sleep this week. And, I want to thank hubby for being such a great dad to Ollie. Even though he's only been part of Ollie's life for the past 5 years, he loves her so much and really take care of her and spoiling her. She is his buddy. He even share (or more like give up) his man cave with her. 

14 is pretty old for dogs and I am grateful to still have her with us. The doctor said her heart is a strong one for her age. To Ollie, happy birthday baby girl, despite causing us lack of sleep, we love you bunches.

Since today, all about dog, I want to share this card that was published on Paper Crafts Practical Solutions a while back. The sentiment reflect how I feel about my puggies. :)

The dog was inspired by Picasso one line drawing and I freehand shape the dog. I think beside my fish card, this is one of the card I am most proud of. Shaping wire is tricky, especially when you're like me, where you want the line to be super straight. I tried to make a pug shape and ended up with messed up, crushed wire because I got frustrated. LOL.

And, speaking about birthday, my brother finally got my belated birthday card and I just love him for bragging and sharing my card with his followers on twitter (he has tons of followers). My family supports always means the world to me. This is his twitter POST, sharing this pic that he took.

Pic by Jerry Aurum Wirianta

Enjoy your Friday everyone.

Flowery Cards

Good morning, lovely peeps! And, happy Wednesday. Today, I have a post up on May Arts blog as we are teaming up with Lawn Fawn. You can check out my project HERE and would so appreciate it if you check it out and leave some love. Just for leaving comments, you'll get entered to May Arts & Lawn Fawn giveaway.

Then, last week Lori Whitlock emailed me asking if she could highlight my project that I previously made for May Arts on her blog. Of course, I said yes. I love Lori's designs and you know how much I love sharing anything I made using Mister Q (that's my Silhouette in case you wonder who is Mister Q).

Here's the card that being highlighted on Lori Whitlock's blog today (originally posted on May Arts blog HERE back in April).

Continuing with flower, below is a card I made using Kuretake water color markers. I colored the stamp with the markers then spray mist it with pearl water  mixture, so the flower actually has a nice shimmer to it. Id the same thing to the leaves.

Clean and simple. Just the way I like it. Have a blessed day, everyone!

Lawnscaping Patterned Paper Challenge

Hi everyone and welcome to the first week of June. At Lawnscaping we have a new, fun patterned paper challenge for you sponsored by Simon Says Stamp.

And, here's my card using Lawn Fawn bright side patterned paper.

As you can see, I am going through the misting/spatter craze at the moment. :) For this card, I actually used Tatter Angel glimmer glaze and flick the brush gently to get the spatter. I hope you will play along. For more inspiration from the DT please check out Lawnscaping blog.

Next, is a couple cards I made for my SIL in Indonesia. She needed some cards and doesn't want to use store bought cards, so here I am happily stepping in. Last week, I made a similar card, HERE. This time I make it totally one layer and using the sentiment from Papertrey Mover & Shaker set.

I have this bird stamp for three years now and can't believe that I really haven't use it much till now. The bird design is so pretty and it helps in making a pretty and quick cards. Glad that this stamp is finally get some loving. :)

Have a great week, peeps!

Birdie Wishes

CAS card makes me happy. :) Today is my day at SP & Company blog. You can see my post HERE. Would so appreciate if you could check it out & leave some love. Have a great weekend, everyone. 

SOG Color Challenge

Hi peeps! This is my second post for today. For previous post please scroll down.

Happy June (which is my birthday month, so maybe I am a bit partial to this month) and with the beginning of June, it's also the beginning of a new challenge at Some Odd Girl. This time it's a color challenge. Here's a look at the inspiration pic for the colors.

Love the vintage look of this pic and love the sentiment even more. I think it's something that we all should aim to be. :) Anyway, here's my card using Under the Sea Mae.

Yep, love this li'l mermaid. I think it's one of the prettiest & cute mermaid stamp. You'll definitely will see me using this set quite a bit. Anyway, you have a month to play along, the deadline is right on my birthday, June 28th!  Easy to remember, right? Hah... For more inspiration from the DT please check out Some Odd Girl blog.  Cheers....

Canine Friends

If you have followed  my blog for awhile, you know that I love dogs and animal in general. So, when Melania Deasy started her own digi design and asked me to make a a couple cards using her image, I immediately jump in, especially when she, knowing my love for animals, sent me a super cute doggy set called Canine Friends.

Here'a a couple of my card using the doggy images. 

Ack... isn't this li'l bulldog adorable? Love that his tongue is hanging out. :) Next is another cutie.

To purchase the set and to find more samples using this adorable set please check out Melania Deasy's blog HERE.  I am entering these cards to Moxie Fab Spatter challenge.

On another note, sigh... I didn't make it to Gallery Idol Top 20. I didn't dare to hope much anyway, seeing so many gorgeous cards on the gallery, but still feeling a bit disappointed. On the other hand, I am excited that my friend Anita Recksiedler made it and two of my favorite card makers Agniezka & Jennifer Rzasa also made it. I cannot wait to see what these talented group of ladies will create for the first challenge! Let the excitement begin. :)

Thank you all so much for stopping by here. I truly appreciate your visits. Enjoy your Friday. :)