Ling's Design Studio

Monday, December 31, 2012

Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Hi peeps. This is my 2nd post for today. For my Avocado Arts post please scroll down.

Welcome to the Seasons Givings Blog Hop! This hop is going to be a little bit different, in the fact that every single person on the list below, is giving something away. All you need to do, is go to their blog, and leave a comment. Really, really easy. Now grab a cup of coffee, or tea, or maybe some hot chocolate, whatever your favorite is, and start hopping. You should arrive here from Cristal (Pinky) Hobbs.

Among my blessing, I am grateful that I have pretty decent collection of crafting stuff. And, with designing for several companies my crafting stash continue to keep growing. However, one can have too many stuff and it's always good to find new homes for these goodies that don't get used often or never been used at all. So, here to starting off the year 2013 in a fun way with a giveaway and a couple cards. :)

First up, my card to say happy New Year to everyone. I actually made this card a while back and it was published on Paper Crafts 2012 November December online version. The best way to welcome a new year is with a smile, right? I hope this cute bear makes you smile.

Next is another card I made for Some Odd Girl January challenge. I know, the holiday is over, but last month I had to squeeze in time to craft, so I figure whatever I make better be double duty. Something that I can use and send right away and fulfill my DT requirement. Yep, another cutesy card.

Now, the fun part!! The giveaway. I am giving away 2 package of stamps. The 1st package include 2 sets from SP & Company and 1 set from Stamps of Life. The 2nd package include 4 sets from PSA Essentials. And... in both package I will add some extra SURPRISE embellishment goodies.

1st giveaway plus some extra embellishment goodies.

2nd giveaway package plus some extra embellishment goodies.

For a chance to win these packages, simply leave a comment below by midnight CST Thursday, January 3, 2013. If you choose to follow my blog, I am grateful, but it's not a requirement. :) Winners will be announced on Friday.

Now, go hop around. From here please hop on over to Jennifer Gallacher. In case you miss a link,below is a complete list for the hop.

Paper Crafts magazine

Kelly Marie Alvarez/Lawn Fawn

Lisa Henke

Cristal (Pinky) Hobbs

Vera W. Yates <--- you are here

Kim Hughes/Paper Smooches

Happy New Year 2013

Happy 2013 everyone!! I am looking forward to what this year will bring. I hope it'll be filled with many good things.

One event that coming up soon that I am excited about is in less than 2 weeks I'll be attending winter CHA in Santa Ana, California. I'll be rooming with my team mates from Avocado Arts, Latisha Yoast, Aj Otto, and Emily Branch. So looking forward to hang out with them. It'll be so much fun to have some girl time and googling over new products. Hah...

Speaking of new products, have you seen Avocado Arts January set "Perfect Blend"? It is such a fun set and here's my card using a couple of the mini stamps from that set. I tend to use the main stamp on a set and this time I made myself to think differently and really look at the whole set. And, this circle and the heart really call out to me.

Simple one with fun color combo to start the new year. :) Please check out what the Pit Crew has created for today's eye candy. Enjoy the 1st day of 2013!!

Ashley Harris
AJ Otto

Cristal Hobbs

Latisha Yoast

Sunday, December 30, 2012

So Long 2012

Last day of 2012. How would you spend it? For me, unfortunately I'll spend the day working (or I could look at it as fortunately as that means I have a job). My boss is out of town, so he left me in charge to get everything done for the end of the year. Cross fingers that the title company will send all the paper works early in the day, so I can go home early.

Now, before I get all sappy & introspective let me first share Paper Smooches SPARKS anything goes challenge and here's my card for the challenge:

I used Paper Smooches Sentiment Samplers, He Said She Said, and Happy Camper set. The skinny ribbon is from May Arts. You have 1 week to play along and as always Paper Smooches provide generous prize for the winner. All my team mates participating for this challenge, so, if you're looking for more inspirations please check out their awesome creations.

Lori Tecler
Jessica Bavier
Vera Wirianta Yates <-- you are here
Ashley Marcu

Savannah O'Gwynn

Now, as we close the year, I am counting my blessings. I am the kind of person who doesn't take things for granted. Especially with so many things going on in the world, it makes me so appreciative of the life I've been given.

Granted, it's not super fancy life, but it's pretty darn good life. I have a super close knit family, which is my most precious treasure. And I am very thankful for our closeness, because I know many people who doesn't have that kind of closeness and support system.

And, this year our family been very blessed. Hubby and I got a new bundle of joy early in this year, when we welcome our super cute pug puppy, who is such a snuggler and makes me feel love in such a huge way. Then, I finally become an auntie. My brother got married in February and in December he and my SIL welcome a new baby girl. And, then just three days ago, my cousin who live close by me, welcome a baby boy. So, even though I don't get to hold my niece, at least I find comfort that I can hold my cousin's baby.

Am also thankful that I have been able to spend some time with my family & extended family this year. We used my brother's wedding as a chance for a family reunion as well. I have uncles, aunties, and cousins scattered around the world, from Malaysia to Germany to New Zealand, etc. Several were able to come to the wedding and it was really fun to reconnect and getting to know them better. And, then in the fall my mom came over and stayed for 2 months with me and I get to take her to Hawaii.

That lead to the next thing that I am grateful for. I am so grateful that I get to travel every year to some awesome places. Traveling is my passion and it's on my bucket list to explore even more places.

All said and done, I hope this year also been a good year for all of you. I want to thank all my blog followers and all the friends I meet through paper crafting & blogging. You have enriched my life in your own way and I am thankful for you. Your support, your kind comments on my posts, your encouragement means so much to me and I really appreciate YOU.

Good bye 2012 and hello 2013. May this coming year be a great one for all of us. Happy New Year!!

Saturday, December 29, 2012

Thanks A Latte

Phew... Have I been quiet this week or what? Sometime, you just need to take time for yourself and take time off from crafting. Which I did. I get to hang out with my girlfriends, make new friends, and visiting my cousin who just welcome a new bundle of joy.

And, some time to just chill after a busy week at work. I work for a home builder company and we have lots of people want to close their home before the end of the year, so hubby and I been working like crazy to make sure all the houses closed on time.

Anyway, this weekend I get crafty for a little bit and made this card for my last post of the year for Avocado Arts using their January "Perfect Blend" set.

That yummy double sided color ribbon is from May Arts in case you are wondering. I just love the hot pink and the green combo.

I love this coffee cup stamp. Maybe because I am a coffee drinker. ;) Wouldn't this be cute to give to someone to thank them for whatever reason and include a Starbuck gift card?

My team mates has created some fab eye candy for you all. Please check them out.

Ashley Harris
AJ Otto

Cristal Hobbs

Latisha Yoast

Monday, December 24, 2012

Merry Christmas

Dear all, wishing you a very merry Christmas. May Christmas fill your home with family and friends, fill your heart with love and fill your life with happiness and joy. May the wonder of Christmas touch your life and may the spirit of Christmas stay with you all through the year.

And, as we celebrate it, let us remember the true meaning of Christmas. It's not about the presents. It's about love, spending time with family, it's about being thoughtful and kind to others. Let us remember that there are many who are less fortunate than us and that we can make a difference in other people's live by a simple act of kindness.

Let us remember that despite many bad things in the world, we can make it a better world, starting with ourselves. We can be Santa. That our presents to the world is our very own act of kindness.

Challenge: Simon Says Stamp Anything Christmassy

To my mom, my brothers, Jeff & Jerry, my sister-in-laws, Gina & Denada and my sweet niece, I love you all and missing you so very much on this Christmas day.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM OUR FAMILY. God bless you all.

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Paper Smooches Picture Perfect Challenge

I got my Christmas shopping done just in time. One day before Christmas eve. LOL, yep, I just got my shopping done yesterday and today I am mailing my last batch of Christmas cards. Hah... I know it's bad, but hey, better late than never, right?

Well, today I have non-Christmasy card for you for Paper Smooches SPARKS picture perfect challenge. Here's the inspiration pic:

From this pic, I took the text and the canvas monochromatic tone and the stagger arrangement of the vase. Here's my translation of the pic:

This actually is my second attempt for this challenge. My first one, I wasn't happy with the result. Maybe it was just the lighting, but I just didn't feel right about it. Here's the 1st card I made for this challenge:

In person, yes you could see the text clearly, but in picture... not so much. I made the text by heat embossing the text and then colored it with soft blue copic marker to make it stands out a bit more. Anyway, I ended up deciding that I better re-do it.

I hope you will playing along with this challenge. You can check out all the deets and find more inspiration at SPARKS blog. Thanks for stopping by here. :)

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Santa Gift Card Holder

Sometimes when you don't know what to give for present, gift card would be the next best option.

Hah... like I told my boss when he was asking about gift ideas for the concierge lady who help us distributing checks to the vendor, I told him that especially for woman please do not give gift basket. Many of us already over indulge during the holiday season, that it's better to give gift certificate, because that way at least they can purchase something they really like.

And, to compliment the gift card, tuck it in a cute gift card holder. :) Like this fun gift card holder I made (published in Paper Crafts Holiday Cards & More Vol. 7). Here's how it looks close.

And, when open the card... ta... da.... gift card holder inside.

Hope your Thursday goes off wonderfully. We finally get a cold front. Time to wear the boots. :)

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

May Arts Holiday Blog Hop

Hi everyone and welcome to day 2 of May Arts Ribbonista Blog Hop. All week long all May Arts ribbonista is sharing fun and fabulous holiday projects. In case you miss yesterday's hop, you can check it out HERE.

For my post, I decided to make several cards. For the 1st card, I start with this poinsettia flower card using the grosgrain ivory stripe ribbon (RG46). The poinsettia was made using my favorite tool ever, Mister Q (my Silhouette love name) and Core'dinations cardstocks.

This card is pretty quick to make. Here's a quick how to:

1. Cut a strip of ribbon and adhere to card.
2. Cut poinsettia using Silhoutte and adhere to ribbon.
3. Stamp sentiment.

Next, I decided to do wreath cards. This first wreath one I made using sheer dots ribbon (JD46). The circle sentiment stamp is from Papertrey Ink & the bird is from Paper Smooches. Same poinsettia like above, just in smaller scale.

I made this wreath ribbon for May Arts summer post. In case you miss the post, here's the how to for this card:

1. Cut a circle ring.

2. Cut about 18" long ribbon and add a bit of glue to the back of the circle ring and adhere the ribbon and start wrapping it around the ring (the length of the ribbon would depend on how large your ring and the width of your ribbon. But, for card, I find 1/2" and 5/8" width ribbon work best).

3. Stamp circle sentiment on card.
4. Adhere the wreath to card.
5. Cut poinsettia using Silhouette (or you can also use ready made sticker) and adhere to wreath.

6. Stamp bird, color, fussy cut, and adhere to card.

For my last card, I went with slightly unusual Christmas color combo by throwing in the light blue color ribbon (JD34). Same step like above.

Of course, you know how generous May Arts is. They're also doing giveaway for the hop. Leave comments along the way and you could win some fabby ribbons. Here's the list of the ribbonista for today's hop:

Jingle
Karen
Kendra
Vera < --- you are here
Ashley

Monday, December 17, 2012

Christmas Tags

How's your weekend lovely peeps? Mine start with our company Christmas party, which was awesome. Our company is small, but I do love the people I work with. Between the construction team and the sales team, we like each other a lot, that we're actually friends outside work.

It was fun to just hang out and celebrate. I am very thankful that hubby and I get to work together and we're so lucky to work with a boss who trust us and appreciate us. And, he even try to promote my work to other people in the building. LOL, how could I not be thankful for having a boss who support my hobby?

And, since he's handing out some Christmas presents for the people at the bank and the cafeteria at our building, he asked me to make some gift tags. As here's a look at the tags that I made for him. Super simple, so I was able to whip out a few tags in 20 minutes.

Now, I have several people helping me in distributing the cards for Caring Hearts Card Drive. One of them is Patricia Castillo who took the pics below. She took these cards to Highland Terrace in Camas, Washington.

The card package arrived safely at the destination.

Thanks, Pat who helped delivered these cards even when it was pouring rain and freezing!! I really appreciate your help.

Kathy, Activities Director, Highland Terrace, Camas, WA.

Thank you to everyone for all your hard work and supports for making the card drive successful. I appreciate you. Have a blessed day everyone.

PS: The winner of Paper Smooches set from Friday post is: irishgalkelly. Congrats and please email me your information.

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Your Friendship Warms My Heart

Happy Satuday lovely peeps. Today the Pit Crew is sharing loads of fun projects where you could also see sneak peek of the upcoming January set.

Here's my card using this month "Smitten With You" set and a couple stuff from next month set. Can you guess the theme for next month set?

I love the way this card turned out even though at first I wasn't sure where I was going with this card. I find this periwinkle blue is a hard color to work with, but I am on a mission to use more of the stash I have since I am on paper diet. :)

And with some American Crafts glitter paper and some red ink, I think the result was pretty fun & cute. And, we have more inspiration line up for you. Please check out the Pit Crew creations and don't forget to leave comments as we're giving away these sets. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!