A couple cards

TGIF, peeps!! I {heart} long weekend. Plenty of time to chill out & be crafty.

This week been a great blessed week for me. My week start with Hero Arts tweeted my card, my tutorial being featured at Love My Tapes, then yesterday, I found out that I won the mystery blog candy giveaway from Simply Flourishes here. Thank you, Jennifer for your generosity! Can't wait to see what goodies I got.

And, last but not least, I am delighted to announce that I am joining Kathy Martin's Digital Doodles DT. I love her clean and simple design and am looking forward to this new adventure.

Okay, I have new Mami Doodles sketch challenge for you. Check out the blog for challenge & prize details.

We get to work with this super cute image of Madeline Bakes A Cake. As soon as I saw the image, I fell in love with it right away. She just looks so cute. Simply loved it!! Reminds me of my niece when she was younger. I have this pic of her wearing an apron & a chef's hat. Even the name is the same. :)

I am also entering this card for Your Next Stamp "Anything Goes" challenge. I love the image so much, I ended up using the same image again for another card. I was so inspired last night that actually I completed 3 cards. But, I'll save the the other cards for other post. That way I have back up card for when I am swamp. :) I made this next card using Card Patterns Sketch 79.

I used Love My Tapes washi tapes to create the stripe panel. Then I taped the washi tape on a piece of white cardstock and adhere the clear button on top of it. I haven't use my clear button for awhile. Sometime I just forgot what embelishments I have eventhough it's right in front of me.

This Sunday, I will have the pleasure of meeting a blog friend, Trinh. I met her through Hero Arts Flickr group, she was my advisor during the Gallery Idol, & now we're in a couple DT together. So excited to finally meeting her in person. I am sure will be talking cards a lot. Peeps, I hope you have a super duper great long weekend! Be safe & enjoy your weekend. Hugs....

Counting The Days

Happy Thursday, peep! 16 more days before I get to see my brother again!! Yes, I am counting the day till I get to see him again. 2 years is along time of not seeing each other. I can't wait to see him. 4 days is not long enough, but I'll take whatever chance I have. Hoping we'll have some time to take cool pictures. He's such an excellent photographer. Well, his trip to the States is to do wedding pictures in San Fransisco. How cool is  that? Sometime I wish I have his job, where you get paid to travel & enjoying the view. You can see sample of his underwater pictures here, for fashion/people pictures you can check it out here. I am so proud of him and  you can bet I am his biggest cheerleader!

Okay, usually Thursday I have 2 cards for you, one for Paper Play and one for Digi Doodle's Shop Best. Well, at Paper Play now we're divided ito 2 groups, so instead of having to post weekly, I only have to do it bi-weekly. And this week, I am free of Paper Play duty.:) But, they do still have their weekly challenge and this week theme is "IN STITCHES". Create a project using stitches. It can be real stitches or faux stitches.  

For Digi Doodle's Shops' Best this week challenge is "SENTIMENT". Basically make sure you use sentiment on your card. Without saying, it's almost like anything goes, since most of the time we all use sentiments, right? For my card I used Sketch & Stash challenge 43 sketch.

Here's up-close of the flowers, so you can see all the glitters on them. I traces the flowers with Sakura Glitter pens. I really love this pen. Click on the picture to see it in bigger scale.

Hope you will join us in the challenge. Looking forward to seeing  your creations!! Hugs, Vera.

MyGrafico Challenge 64

Yesterday, 2 things happened that totally made me smile big time! Hero Arts highlighted my card here through twitter. Eekk.... and I found it through Kryssi's comment on my post. Thank you, Kryssi, you're a doll!! Then, while I was at  my Flickr group browsing around, Michelle mentioned this post at Love My Tapes!! Double eeekk... LOL, I know I was going to be featured, just didn't know it's up already. Thank you, Shemaine for the lovely post.

All I can say, that poppy flowers from Hero Arts is my good luck charm! Whenever I used it, it seems to bring me luck! :)

On to today's card for MyGrafico challenge 64. This week, easy peasy, ANYTHING GOES. The DT get to play with digi papers by Cupcake Cuties & digi stamps by Kelly Medina.

From the background paper to the crayons and star, all digi images. I just layered everything on Words and voila, it's done. Quick & easy.The only thing I stamped is the sentiment. Here's a peek of what's included with the set that we get to play with.

You can get both sets here. And  they do have sales regularly, so you might want to sign up for their newsletter. To enter the challenge & for a chance to win free digis check MyGrafico challenge blog. Hope you will join us and play along. Hugs, Vera.

Thinking of you

Wow, can  you believe it's already end of August? Sigh... sometime it feels like time flies by so fast. I am happy about September, though, as I will get to see my little brother, Jerry. He has 2 wedding photography jobs to do in San Fransisco, so he'll be coming to the States and swing by to see me for a few days.

I am so excited about that. I live so far away from my family and don't get to see them very often, so needless to say I got super excited whenever I get a chance to see any of my  brother, even if it's only for 4 days. Last time I saw him was 2 years ago. Makes me sad when I think of how I don't see him enough, but very grateful for the chance that I do have to see him.

I've been thinking about my family a lot lately. With that, a thinking of you card is in order, of course.

I am entering this card for 2S4Y sketch 60 challenge. I simply rotate the sketch upside down. Also entering this card for Stamps R Us stitches challenge and Allsorts park inspiration challenge.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Hope you enjoy your visit here and thank you for taking the time to leave comments. I really appreciate it all. And, just a reminder, you have till Friday midnight to enter Wee Memories In The Forest challenge! Hugs, Vera. 

Quick One Layer Card

Hi peeps, how are you today? Boy, this weekend flew by way too fast for me. I was busy cleaning my scrapbook room. I  think I've been pretty good at purging stuff that I don't need or no longer use. This time, I didn't really have anything to donate or throw out, just re-organizing. We went to Ikea (love this place) and bought several boxes to help me organize my room.

I also made several cards that I am submitting to magazine. Haven't done this for a while, so crossing my fingers that at least one will get accepted. By Sunday eve, I was ready to just chill and watch the Emmy. I love Jimmy Fallon, I thought he did pretty good job as the host. Anyway, I rush to made this simple one layer card, so I have a card for today's post. :)

Not sure if I really like the card, to be honest. Seems like it's missing something. The picture doesn't show how glittery this card really is. I lined the flowers with glue pen & added DeNami Design super fine glitters called Sparklets. If I can remember, I will try to re-take the picture & hopefully get a better pic of this card.

That's it for today and I hope your week starts off well. Hugs, Vera.

Thank you

Yesterday, I didn't post any card and I was talking of how much I miss my family. And I am so touched that several of you, most I have never even met, took the time to send comforting words and virtual hugs to me. I know that most of you visit my blog for the cards and the fact that you were willing to reach out to me in a time when I am feeling down, helped me to smile & feel better. Thank you so much for the comfort and support. Ladies, you all made me teary eyed with your thoughtfulness. From the bottom of my heart, thank you and I am so grateful to have known you even if it's only though blogging.

Today, I still feel a bit sad, but you know me, I always try to look at things on the bright side, too. Like hubby said, at least I can call and with the internet, facebook, etc., I can still share many things with my family. Granted, it's not the same as seeing them in person, being able to hug them, it's still better than nothing. I love my mom so much and she knows that and that's what matter. She knows I'd do my best to try to see her as often as I can.

On more cheerful note, how about a card?  I made this card a few days ago for this week Wee Memories "In The Forest" challenge sponsored by Third Coast Stamp. Since I love fairies and in my mind, they usually live in the forrest, that's what I used for my card.

I think the pic came out pretty good. I found a great deal on Ebay (yes, Ebay you should pay me for advertising you all the time) for photo-tent. I mostly take pics of my cards in the evening, so it's hard to get good lighting. But the photo tent seems to help. This was my 1st attempt, so still need lots of practice.

I hope you can join us in this fun challenge! Help us spread the words by joining the challenge will you. Each week, there's always fun prizes for the challenge. Okay peeps, I have to go. Today is cleaning the house top to bottom day! Especially my scrapbook room that totally looks like shipwreck. Time to but more container. Have a super duper fun weekend!

Homesick

Last night was one of those emotional night for me. Despite the fact that I've been here in the States for 15 years, being far away from my mom and my brothers always hard for me. We're a close family and growing up, I never thought I'd be the only one that being so far away, especially since I'm the only girl.

Boy, was I wrong. Couldn't be any farther, than being in opposite side of the world. I was hoping to be able to go back home for a visit at the end of this year. Now, it's questionable and the realization that I might not able to go home hit me pretty hard. The last time we celebrated Christmas all together was 1997, and the thought that it might have to be postpone again was very hard for me. I know it's probably childish, but I just start crying.

I miss my mom and I worry about her often. She's getting old, and I just feel like I don't spend enough time with her. And I know she misses me. Between that and some other stressful stuff, I was just depressed last night.  So, no card for me today as I just couldn't find  the energy or the creativity to create last night. Sorry peeps.

But, I do want to remind you that you have till midnight tonight to enter Wee Memories "Sweet Treats With Ribbon" challenge. When you enter, you will have the chance to win yummy goodies from May Art

Well, sorry for not so happy post today. I'll be back with happier post. Just need to pull myself together. Have a great Friday! Hugs, Vera.

Paper Play & DDSB

Happy Thursday, peeps! today, I have 2 new challenges for you. First is a sketch challenge from Paper Play sponsored by Wink Wink Ink. You can check out all the detail & enter the challenge here.

I was excited when they said the DT can pick the image to work with. And guess what I chose... Well, all I can say my heart  belong to the pugs!! As soon as I saw this "Puggles", I know my choice. Heh... as a proud pug owner, how can I resist this??

I think this is the first cute pug digi stamp I ever found. For extra details, I added flocks on the tail & the paws. It's soft & fuzzy. Just like the real thing. Here's pic of my spoil brat baby, Ollie. LOL, I truly think she knows what's the camera for. I have tons of pictures of Ollie. I love this pic, where she  had her paws all tucked in inside hubby's shoes. She's my baby & I love her so much!

Next, is my card for Digi Doodle Shop's Best. This week challenge is distressed or vintage. I distressed the edges of the squares and the purple cardstock. And the image... loved it!! As soon as I saw it, I know I want it. They're just so adorable!
 

Here up-close view of the mice. I popped-up 3 of the mice for extra dimension. See the one napping on the bottom corner, sigh... so cute!! I also highlighted the inside of the pumpkin with glitters to make it looks like it shine with candle light.

There you go, two fun challenges!! I hope you can join us for the fun and I am looking forward to checking out your creations! Have a great day. Almost Friday.... yay!!

A thousand sheet of paper

Do you want to win some cool papers? Then you want to check Amy's blog. She's doing a huge giveaway. A thousand sheet of papers to be exact. Want to see what a 1000 sheet of papers looks like, see this pic.

I have plenty of papers myself, but who could resist the chance to expand the collection? You have till September 3rd to enter. Good luck! :)

MyGrafico Challenge 63

Yay... so happy! Yesterday, I found out that I won this from Pretty Pink Posh (Paulina). I've been wanting to try wrinkle ribbon for awhile and now I finally have the chance. Thank you so much, Paulina!! Also last weekend I found out that I won Lawn Fawn goodies from the Lawn Fawn Hearts Card For Kids Blog Hop. Super excited for this. You know I love Lawn Fawn!! I am thinking of doing another giveaway myself. So, keep checking back. I am still trying to decide what to do. :)

Now, on to today's card for MyGrafico challenge. This week the DT get to play with images from Cherie  Reve. We actually got 2 images to play with, and I chose to use this "Halloween Apple Brothers". They have tons of digi images at the store & have special offer quite often, check them out when you have a chance.

I don't do boys card often, so it's kind of fun to make one. I made this card using The Pink Elephant Sketch. For all the detail and to enter MyGrafico challenge, please check out MyGrafico Challenge blog.

I'll be back tomorrow with new challenges for Paper Play & Digi Doodle Shop's Best! Thanks for visiting here. Hugs, Vera.