Wishing Penguin

Oh my... there's only a few days left of 2014. I always have mix feeling about the end of the year. On one end I am excited for the coming year, on the other end, I'd look back and wonder where did the year go. And, looking back often makes me feel melancholy.

There's always so much things I want to do, to experience and the fact that the year fly by so fast, sometime just makes me wonder if I'd get to do all the stuff on my bucket list. And, I also think of the many family moments that I miss with me being far away from my mom and my brothers. This part definitely makes me sad.

Anyway, I try hard not to dwell  on being sad. It's not something that just come naturally, but over the years, I have become a more optimistic person and subconsciously I tend to wish big. And, sometime the wish doesn't come true right away, but for it come true, you have to dream it, to wish it, right?

This card says it all. Wish big! :)

Supplies: Avery Elle Storybook set, More Stories set,
Lawn Fawn Hello Sunshine petite paper pack,
Glitz Felicity 6x6 paper pad

I made this mini card using goodies I got from i {heart} papers. My SIL just let me know she needed more mini card and of course, I am happy to oblige. :) Am also entering this card to Simon Says Stamp anything goes challenge.

For now, I am enjoying the long weekend. It's nice to have a break from work. I was feeling burn out and totally savoring this time off. It's nice to just rest, you know. Well, that's all for me. Come back on Monday as I'll have a fabulous announcement to share. See you soon.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

From our family to yours, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. May your day be filled with lots of love and blessings.

With lots of love,

Vera, John, Eli & Abby

Quick & Easy Christmas Cards

4 more days till Christmas! And only 10 more days before we hit 2015. With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I want to share a couple quick and simple Christmas cards in case you need some last minute cards.

First up is this super quick card, where I just trim part of a patterned paper for the main image.

Supplies: Chickaniddy Jolly Good, Dear Lizzy Daydreamer
6x6 paper pad &  Lawn Fawn Snow Day

I almost go with no stamping at all, but decided to add the stamped bunny. If you super short on time, you could leave it just the way it is, with no bunny.

Next, is a mini card, using the other part of that same sheet of patterned paper from the above card.

Supplies: Chickaniddy Jolly Good,
Wplus9 Twenty Fifteen, Spotlight/Disco Gold sequins

Now, have some cleaning and organizing to do. You know how it is. Christmas, family coming over and yesterday we just had some windows and tiles replaced at our home. So, lots of cleaning to be done. See y'all later, alligator. :)

Dancing Baby Groot & More Caring Hearts Pics

Happy Wednesday. Slowly but surely I get my Christmas cards mailed out. The way I look at it, better late than not sending one at all, right? 

For today, I want to share this card that I made for Purple Onion Designs. They have shared it on POD blog, but I haven't share it here. 

Have I told you, I love cutesy stuff?? LOL, you probably like, "Yeah, we know!!". Sorry, I tend to gush when I see cute stuff. For example, this past weekend we saw Guardian of the Galaxy and at the end, did you see the dancing baby Groot? Oh.My.Word!! The moment I saw it, I told hubby, I want baby Groot! (What's dancing bay Groot you asked? Check it out HERE)

Hah... Hubby actually saw this movie before me and when he saw Rocket the raccoon and the dancing baby Groot, he knew right away I'd love this movie and that I'd want the dancing baby Groot. And, guess what?? Nope, of course it's impossible to get an actual dancing baby Groot, but yepper, he's getting me baby Groot Wobble Head! 

                                             

I love my hubby. He knows his wife is not much into jewelry or fancy stuff, but prefer cutesy stuff. I think he knows he got it right, when I hug him the moment he told me what he's getting me. I plan on putting this in my office, so I can look at it and smile every time I have a stressful moment. :)

Okay, enough gushing on baby Groot. I have more Caring Hearts Card Drive pics to share with you all. These ones courtesy of our elf in New York. Thank you Kimberly Rendino for sharing these pics. Kimberly said the people have fun checking out each other card and see where they came from.

Then, this next one is from elf in Houston. Thank you Laura Coplin for sharing this pic.

Michelle Ramirez & Elf happily receiving the cards
for the residents at Michael E. DeBakey VA Hospital Nursing Home

Hope you  enjoy seeing the pics. Again, thank you for helping us reaching out to thousands of people and spread Christmas joy all over. Your cards do brighten someone's day. xoxo

Christmas Poinsettia

Happy Tuesday. I actually made today's card back at the beginning of 2014. I was making this for publication call and it didn't get picked up. But, I love the crispness & modern look of this design. 

And, I am happy to say that I got some pictures from our Caring Hearts elves in Wisconsin. :) Thank you Dawn L for sending these pics. 

I think our elves showed the Christmas spirit perfectly. I'll be sharing more pics as I also have received pics from our elves in New York.  

Seriously, Caring Hearts Card Drive is a gift that keep on giving. With each picture I got or note telling me how the people love it, I feel the joy again and again. Kudos to all our helpers who help distribute the cards all over. Thank you for all your help. I appreciate you so much!!

Quick one today. I have splitting, piercing headache as I try to finish this post. Be back tomorrow. 

Silver Bells

Happy Monday. We're only 10 days away from Christmas!! Seriously, where did the time fly? I finally started to work on my own Christmas cards this past weekend and mailed some out. Yes, yes, I am behind.

To my mom and brothers, please know your cards were sent, but most likely will arrive around or after Christmas. I just pray they'll actually be delivered and be in good condition. :)

I always send what I consider my best cards to my family, but whenever I send cards their way, I send  them with lots of prayers. Sending post any thicker than regular letter sometime feel like gambling, when you mail it to Indonesia. It might arrive or it might disappear. That's just the fact. And, that's why I get nervous this time as I am sending them my interactive cards, so they're slightly thicker than regular card.

As I work on sending out the cards, I also work on new ones. Fr today, I want to share this card I made for my i {heart} papers post. 

Supplies; Wplus9 Woodland Wreaths set, Wplus9 Silver Bells set,
Woodland Wreaths Dies, Echo Park Bundle of Joy Dots & Stripes

If you click on the picture, you can view the card in larger view and you could see how the bells are covered with micro fine glitters. It sparkles really pretty in person. I am also entering this card to Simon Says Stamp Bling It On challenge.

So, how about you? Are you done with all your Christmas cards? Have you finished decorating? We have our small Christmas trees up and that's about it. We decided not to risk putting up the big Christmas tree as Eli think every tree is a place to go pee and considering Abby's curious nature, seeing the bird ornament on the tree might make her think it's real bird and try to catch it.

One of the small Christmas tree we put by the fire place and so far they're ignoring that one. :)  I am curious, how's your dog react around the big Christmas tree? 

That's all for me today. Thank you for stopping by here.

Riley & Company New Release Blog Hop

* For Caring Hearts Card Drive Final Update & Winner List please scroll down 

or click HERE. *

Hi all and welcome to Riley & Company new release blog hop. You should arrive here from Kendra DeCota.

We have 39 new Funnybones stamp for this release and they are all now available in store. For my part, I decided to focus on the nice sentiments instead of the funny ones. I just know right away that I wanted to use these sentiments the moment I saw it.

My first card has my favorite sentiment from this release.

I am a firm believer is being kind. I think showing kindness to others (including animals) are a important. You cannot spread kindness without sprinkling some on yourself. ;)

My next card has my second favorite sentiment from this release.

Now, no hop is complete without blog candy. Riley and Company will be offering a $20 Gift Certificate to the Riley & Co online store! Simply leave comment on the Riley & Company Blog post during the hop.

Riley & Company also offered some specials for this new releases:

Special #1: Buy the entire unmounted set of 39 new Funnybones for only $99! (Save $96!) (Offer not available to wholesale customers.) Limit one per customer. Offer ends December 31st.

Special #2: You can also get a set of 3 FREE Funnybones stamps (ourchoice) AND a limited edition logo stamp during this release by simply placing an order of $30 or more (before tax) in the first 24 hours of the release! (One per customer please.)

Special #3: But wait - there's more! As an added bonus, we are giving EVERYONE FREE SHIPPING from Thursday night at 9 pm CST until Sunday night at midnight CST! Just enter FREESHIP in the coupon code section!

That's all from me. I hope you enjoy today's hop. From here please hop on over to Heather Bolli. Thank you for stopping by here.

Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog Hop

* For Caring Hearts Card Drive Final Update & Winner List please scroll down 

or click HERE. *

Hi everyone and welcome to holiday edition Coffee Lover Blog Hop. The hop starts at Amy Tsuruta blog and there you'll also find the complete list of the hop participant.

I actually have several coffee sentiments and I tried to make cards with them, but I keep coming back to my favorite coffee sentiment.

I am pairing the sentiment with the retro folk image from Riley &Company new release (available in their store starting tomorrow). I just thought the elegant image is so appropriate for this sentiment. You know, like the after effect after you have that first sip. You become more civil. ;)

I am still trying hard to give up coffee. Not very successful so far. I manage to not drink coffee for a week, than I get grumpy and give in and have that coffee again. Hah... Hubby probably would agree that this sentiment describe me on some mornings.

If you're looking for the winner list for Caring Hearts Card Drive please scroll down. 

And there's some amazing sponsors for this hop. Be sure to hop on over and check them out.

• 17 Turtles http://bit.ly/1AJhce6
• Add A Little Dazzle http://bit.ly/1vvJe7S
• a●muse studio/Chris Franco http://bit.ly/1seiRmW
• Butterfly Reflections Ink http://bit.ly/1rWjgQu
• Create a Smile http://bit.ly/12sH2YB
• Kraftin' Kimmie http://bit.ly/1G6N7sb
• Kreative Kymona http://bit.ly/1yYCjZU
• Latina Crafter http://bit.ly/1w2AlJT
• Neat & Tangled http://bit.ly/1Afk1Uf
• Newton's Nook http://bit.ly/1s3Uii7
• Poppystamps http://bit.ly/12t4hAV
• Reverse Confetti http://bit.ly/1tJwsTE
• STAMPlorations http://bit.ly/1ywKBcn
• Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps http://bit.ly/1z9G0gn
• The Alley Way Stamps http://bit.ly/1yt0Jru
• The Stamp Simply Ribbon Store http://bit.ly/1wUxwdu
• Two Paper Divas http://bit.ly/1ysa3vQ
• Verve Stamps http://bit.ly/15UDYGe
• Whole Wild World http://etsy.me/1tLZeC7
• Your Next Stamp http://bit.ly/1ysDWw4

2014 Caring Hearts Card Drive Report & Winner List

First of all,  THANK YOU all so much for your support for Caring Hearts Card Drive. It's our 5th year and it's also our biggest one. We received over 17,000 cards from all over the world (Qatar, Moscow, France, Germany, Australia, South Africa, etc)! That's way more than what we received the last 4 years combined!! And we're distributing to over 100 facilities in US, Canada and Australia. I couldn't quite give the exact number as some of the head facilities we sent the cards to, distributing them to several more facilities under their jurisdiction. So, safe to say we bring Christmas cheer & joy to lots and lots of people.

Our hearts are filled with gratitude. We spent hours organizing, sorting, packing and making sure your gorgeous cards get to their final destination. And as we packed the cards, I can tell you that we are so amaze and humble by your creativity and your generosity. The process also get slow down because I was busy admiring your cards. :)

Thank you for making a difference. Thank you for supporting my dream, my vision to bring Christmas joy to as many elderly as possible. I never thought it'd grow to this magnitude or that now we're even branching out to Australia & am totally blown away.

I have asked several of the volunteer to see if they're allow to take pics to share with us. If I get some, I'll share it here on my blog. 

To all the sponsors, thank you so much for your support. And, I encourage all of you to please support our generous sponsors as well.  

Now, without further delay, here's the list of the prize winner. Winners, I will contact each of you by email, so please be patient as I try to get the email out ASAP. I work full time as well, so you know how it goes.

Ali Edwards – Four new stamp sets: Jennifer Howes

Altenew - $25 gift certificate: Jayne Hoffman

Avery Elle - $30 gift certificate: Cheryl Yamashita

Becky Higgins - $50 Worth of Project Life Products: Laurie Wardenski

Butterfly Reflections - $25 gift certificate: Teresa Ryals

Clearly Besotted - £30 ($45 US dollars approx.): Bundoora Primary School

Crafter’s Companion – Embossing folder & dies package: Jennifer Moyer

Ellen Hutson – The COMPLETE line of Julie Ebersole’s stamp and die release. A $210 value: Tiffany Au

Frantic Stamper - (2) $25 gift certificate: Stacy Reynolds & Elizabeth Stewart 

Freckled Fawn - $50 gift certificate: Paula DiGiovanni

Hero Arts - $75 gift certificate:  Veronica Guzman

Impression obsession - $25 gift certificate: Leesa Berry

Inspiration emporium – $25 gift certificates: Marybeth Kaiser

Jane's Doodle - $50 gift certificate: Robin Logue

Online Card Classes – class of your choice! (THREE winners): Eileen Lum, Samantha Buckman, Kathy Blaney-Murphy

Jennifer McGuire Ink – TEN fabulous stamp/die sets from Jennifer’s favorite companies: Rubeena Farooqui

A Jillian Vance Design - $20 gift certificate: Pat Doyle

Latina Crafter - $35 GC: Julie Bagocki

Lawn Fawn - $50 gift certificate: Anne O'Donnell

Lil inker - $25 gift certificate: Nichole Wade

Mama Elephant - $25 gift certificate: Lynette Pinno

May Arts – 2 roll of ribbon: Sandy  John

My Favorite Things - $50 gift certificate: Glorie Alvarez

Neat and Tangled - $25 gift certificate: Dawn Erho

Newton’s Nook Designs - $25 gift certificate: Nancy Jordan

Organize More - $40 gift certificate: Adrennia Hughley

Paper Smooches - $50 gift certificate: Toni Maddox

Poppy Stamps - $50 gift certificate: Emily Harris

Reverse Confetti - $25 gift certificate: Victoria Mazzotta

Simon Says Stamp – $50 gift certificates: Adrian Michaud

Spectrum Noirs - The COMPLETE line of Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers + accessories! Includes 168 markers, storage unit, nibs and a DVD! Over a $400 value: Patricia Craighead

Stampin' Up Package from Alica Thelin: Deb Pollack

Studio Calico - $20 gift certificate: Cindy Techlin

Sweet stamp shop - $10 gift certificate and some additional goodies: Ann Kikuchi

Tim Holtz – Four Tim Holtz stamp sets: Shirley Sanborn

Verve Stamps - $30 gift certificate: Virginia Honeycutt

Waffle Flower - $50 gift certificate: Sue Craig

Winnie and Walter - $30 gift certificate: Suzanne Gribbon

Wplus9 - $25 gift certificate: Anna Chora

WOW embossing – Assortment of embossing powders: Debbie Groff

V Sweet Ideas - $10 GC: Rachel Ines

Sakuralala – (TWO) $15 gift certificate: Jane Lange & Kristen Heagele

Vera Yates - Surprise goodies: Rebekah Hinton Cub Scout # 358

Paint Your Dreams

Many time, simplicity is the way to go. In life and in card. :)

I made this card featuring one of the sentiment from Riley & Company new release that will be available in store this Thursday.

I just love this saying. I remember my mom sent me this quote before: God gives us sleep so we can dream and He wakes us up, so we can make tour dream come true. That quote stuck in my head. I love quote that encourage us to live our life to the fullest, to go after our dream.

And, the dream catcher patterned paper is just the perfect background for this sentiment, isn't it? Love it when things work out like this.

I know many of you have been patiently waiting for the the card drive winner list. I am working on it. I should be able to post the winner list by tomorrow. Thank you for being patient as we work vigorously behind the scene to get all the cards out and everything organized. See you tomorrow.

Life Is Meant To Be Experienced

Oh December, we're already entering the second week of it. Seems like the pace of everything change during the season. Some days it seems like it fly by fast and some days slow. But, either way, it's good. I love December. :)

I am back with a couple cards today. First up is my card for Riley & Company new releases. There's tons of new stamps coming out (all will be available in the store on Thursday, Dec.11).

I love this saying. I think it's important to experience life. Someone told me before when you question about doing something, ask yourself, when you're old and sitting in a rocking chair, would you look back with regret? Would it matter? Then you'd know the answer. :)

Next, is my card for Purple Onion Designs featuring Birch the winter bunny & Cedar the fox.

And, in case you didn't know, the Holiday Sale at Purple Onion Designs is still on till December 10, 2014!! All stamps 25% off!! They have tons of cute images that would be perfect for the stampers in your life or gift for yourself. ;)

                                              

That's all for me. May your Monday starts off wonderfully. Cheers......

Riley Thinking About You

Happy Sunday. I am popping in with a quick post as we started Riley & Company new release week. There are tons of new sentiments and retro folks for this releases.

I am short in time, so I am going with CAS. :)

I know many of you are waiting for the winner list for Caring Hearts Card Drive. Please be patiemt as we're trying to wrap things up. We received more cards than the previous 4 years combined. It's a good thing!! But, that also means lots of works sorting & packaging. I am hoping that I can post the winner list by Wednesday.

Am still waiting for the final list from all the girls that collect the cards. Thank you for your patience as we work hard to get these cards to their final destination. :)

Enjoy your Sunday!

Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking Magazine Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to Paper Crafts & Scrapbooking farewell blog hop. Card makers from all over the world are participating today to honor the dedication and remembering the inspiration that PC&S has brought to the card making community.

You should arrive here from MAYURI blog.

I am really not quite sure where to start with this post. It still hard to believe that PC&S will soon close their door.

PC&S have opened so many doors for me. Started with Gallery Idol 2010. Never in a million year, I thought I'd get picked. This event literally change my life. I met some girls that has become such dear friends to me that I'd otherwise wouldn't have met and it marked the point of my journey into card making world.

Then, when I went to CHA in July 2010 I experienced first hand, how warm and kind the PC&S crew are. Mind you, I am very shy and I often find it hard to chat with people I just met. Not, with this crew! They chatted away and make you feel like you've known them forever! I was so geeky, I actually asked them all to sign my Gallery Idol Top 5 card. I know, super cheesy and nerdy. But, what can I say, I was so ga-ga over meeting them for the first time.

Thank you for the fun memories!! Yeah, the last picture was from a super fun late night gathering at CHA.
Best night, ever! 

One of my most memorable moment was when I got my first happy email from Susan. I was jumping up and down! I had 3 cards as a newbie and it was a moment to remember for me. I was grinning ear to ear when I saw my 1st published card on Card Creations Vol. 9 (2011).

Thank you, PC&S for this honor.

With their submission calls and various competition, PC&S challenge me creatively. They make me want to create better, step out of my comfort zone, to think outside the box. They also know how to lift up your spirit. Like, when Susan told me that this card below was her favorite card from the whole Card Creations Vol.12, she totally made my day. To this day, an email or note from her always makes me smile. Seeing any of PC&S crew at CHA always a delight.

PC&S brought so much joy to my card making journey. When I first found out about the magazine ending, I didn't craft for like a week or so. I just suddenly loss the appetite to create. It such a big part of my card making. I feel at loss. However, at the end, I realize I should honor PC&S by celebrating the experiences that PC&S has given me. Be thankful that I have those experience to remember.

I am celebrating & thankful for the friendship with PC&S crew. I am celebrating all the happy email, joyful moments like when I found out that I made it for Gallery Idol (twice), Stamping Royalty, WCMD winner, etc. I am celebrating all the opportunities that I have experience that I probably wouldn't have experience without my exposure with PC&S.

To Jennifer, Kerry, Holly, Susan, Matt, thank you for the memories. Thank you for all the fun, creativity, opportunities, etc. And thank you for supporting my Caring Hearts Card Drive from the very beginning. You helped promote it and sponsor it. It means so much to me to have your support.

Please know that I am thinking of you as you're embarking on new adventure. Sometime bad thing happened, so bigger, better things could happen. You all are such special people and I appreciate you so much. 

I made this special card just for the PC&S Crew:

There's so much I want to say, but I hope Jennifer, Kerry, Holly and Susan knows how I feel about them. This is definitely not goodbye as we'll see each other on FB. I wish you all the best for the future. Again, thank you for your dedication to card making industry, for making it such a fun community to be part of. 

From here please hop on over to CONNIE MERCER blog. And, big shout out to Taheerah Atchia for organizing this hop! You totally rock. 

Penguins Christmas Love

Last time I made an interactive card, it was such a hit. So, I thought it'd be fun to repeat the design, but this time with 2 moveable penguins!!

I just love this Arctic Penguins set from Mama Elephant. And, this time I want it to be a bit more festive, so I sprinkle some fine confetti on the hill. I always believe, when it comes to Christmas, make it sparkle & shine!

Here's the 1st pic showing the two lovely penguins apart, staring at each other, wondering if they'll get together, if the heart is meant to be given. ;)

Ah.... yes, of course the heart is meant to be given. After all, part of Christmas is about giving and receiving love, right?

The only boo boo on this card, I already glued down the tree when I realize my sentiment would be a bit too high/too close to the frame. Oh well... I decided not to stress out over a little imperfection. It is what it is.

Now, some Caring Hearts update. Yesterday, I opened up the packages that arrive after Thanksgiving. 68 packages total and about 1935 cards. Now, mind you, I already have quite a bit of cards already on the table, before this stash being added. And, thank goodness, I already mailed out about 3000 cards before hand, otherwise, I wouldn't have room to put all the cards!! All in all, there's probably close to 4000 cards on the table.

What was fun for me was when hubby offered to help open and sorting the packages. I normally decline as I know he's not into card making and thinking I don't want to give him extra chore. But, I was drowning in packages, so I said, yes please. It turned out to be so much fun! 

Hubby was enjoying opening the packages and looking at all the details. He'd be like, look at this one! It looks so fancy. Look at the coloring. Or when he open the ones from kids, he'd take the time to read what the kids wrote and thought it's so cute! It ended up being a good bonding time for us. I could see he's enjoying the process as much as I do. It was really a good moment. I look at him and remember thinking, I am so blessed.

I have this fun hobby that have the ability to bring people together. I have people from all over sharing my mission and it's humbling and joyful at the same time. And, now I found out this is something we both can enjoy together. Opening card drive mails!!

Normally, we received around 3500 cards, more or less. So, we didn't expect to receive in the 12,000 range. With that, please be patient before we announce the prize winners. We have to go through so much mails and packing them. I am hoping that by the end of this week, we'll have everything organized and pick the winners.

That's all from me today and be back tomorrow! Cheers...

Christmas Bunnies

Happy December!! Is it just me or it seems like the atmosphere around us totally change the moment we hit December. Suddenly, it feels like we hit a merry time. :)

I love December. I love what it represent for me. For me December represents joy, caring, and family time. More than in any other months I am reminded to be more thoughtful of others and to count my blessings.

And.... it's my baby birthday month! Yep, Eli, the cute, handsome, spoil pug baby of mine will be turning 3 in a couple days! I already picked up birthday presents and special treats for the celebration. Nope, we're not the crazy dog people. Just obsessed. Hah...

With us entering December, it also means I need to get my Christmas cards going. I've been so busy with the card drive, that my own Christmas cards  kind of get slightly neglected. I am behind!! So, it's time to catch up.

Last night, I made this cute bunnies card.

Supplies: Lawn Fawn Snow Day, Wplus9 Woodland Wreaths,
Wink of Stella Brush Glitter Marker,  Memento Luxe Danube Blue

I simply cut a window and use lots of pop-dots to create the layered look. Gah... love these cute bunnies. One down and many more cards to go. I thought of doing repeated design for my Christmas cards, but I know I'd get bored if I do that. So, no repeat design for now. Maybe when I am more pressed for time. Hah...

Am also make this card for the new Naughty Or Nice Winter Holidays challenge. You have 1 month to play along this challenge.

Also, today is Cyber Monday and this is the last day to  take advantage of i {heart} papers holiday sale! 35% off sale store-wide with any order of $50 or more. Hurry and check them out!

May your December a merry and joyful one. Cheers....