Remembering My Dad

Today is my dad's birthday. He would have turn 75 is he's still here. And, I still miss him even though he's been gone for more than 11 years. I think when you loose a love one you will never stop missing them.

Many, many moments come and go where I thought, "Oh, how I wish he was here to see this or to experience this moment." I missed him at my wedding. Wished he could have met my hubby. Missed him when I went home for Christmas. Missed him at my brother's wedding. I wish he could see how his little girl finally grow up and do well. And, I wish my niece Shakira could have met him. He would so spoil her rotten.

So many memories comes through my mind as I typed this post. I have this picture framed and displayed in our living room. This was from Christmas eve 1994. It was the last time all of us together as complete family for the holidays. After that there's always one of us missing as we all have different things going on.

It took me over a year before I finally fully accepted he was gone. Because at that time of his passing I was already in the States that many time I felt like he was just away in Indonesia instead of really gone. During that first year, I could burst into tears at any time at random time. Now, I only cried when I feel melancholy or nostalgic. Like right now. You'd think after 11 years I won't cry anymore....

I like to think that he is up in heaven now playing with Oscar & Ceasar, his rottweilers and hopefully with Milo my pug that I lost back in 2004. I imagine he spend his time hanging out with his old friends and watching over us. To dad, wherever you are, I still think of you and miss you. Happy birthday, dad.

I know many of you come here for crafty projects, but for today, I want to take the time to share my thoughts and feeling about my dad.

I do have a card up on Paper Made Bakery blog. Here's the sneak peek of my card and you can see the full card at Paper Made Bakery.

Thank you for letting me share my personal story. Have a blessed day everyone.

Fish & Flower

Hah... How do you like that post title? I feel like it sounds weird, but the content of today's post has those 2 ingredients. Almost sounds like a market place, huh?

This past weekend it rained all day Saturday on my  neck of the wood, so it was a good weekend to just hole up in the house. Eli the pug had a dog play date for a  couple nights (I had my cousin's dog with me) and he wasn't use to all the rambunctious activities that he slept and snuggled a lot after his play date left. I think we might get another dog after our trip. Eli needs a friend to play with.

How about you? How was your weekend? Besides pampering Eli, mine was pretty productive. I did lots of laundry, check out some job sites for work, and I finished about 80% of all my DT work for May. I will be taking a 10 days vacation mid May, so I have to work ahead since I still have to finish planning our vacation. Yes, I am one of those people who likes to plan my vacation in details. Just enough to make sure we get to see as much as we can. :)

Now, let's get on to a couple projects, shall we? First up is my card for Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge. This week we have anything goes challenge. LOL, my kind of challenge. To be honest, my card for today was made a few months ago. It's one of the publication reject. But, I still think it's pretty darn cute.

This card makes me happy. The colors, the smiley fish & the pelican all just so cheerful!

With a super duper easy challenge like this I hope you will playing along our challenges. And, you can bet that my team mates has created some wonderful cards for you for more inspirations. Please check  out their creations:

Lisa Arana

Nina Yang

Lynn Mangan

Jessica Davis

Lori Tecler

Jessica Bavier

Vera Wirianta Yates <--- you are here

Savannah O'Gwynn

Second, I made a  flower tag for There She Goes Stamp "April Shower May Flowers" challenge. Basically create any project with shower (or water) or flower theme.

You can check out the challenge detail and find more inspiration from the other Trendsetter at There She Goes blog.

Thank you for stopping by here and as always I really do appreciate your support and your comments. Hugs, xo

Chalkboard Memories Blog Hop

Jessica and Tobi have been hard at work creating an AMAZING new set for us, Chalkboard Memories. If you are familiar with the VERY popular Chalkboard Technique, this set was created for that particular style!! It is full of SUPER cute images, and FABULOUS sayings…and the chalkboard itself? Fantastic!

Chalkboard Memories is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 18 stamps and will sell for $18.00 . The new stamps will be available on Saturday, April 27^th at 11pm.

For my card, I can't help but insert a ducky since I am so in love with the ducky from last month releases. I guess he just hop on the chalkboard to write his message. :)

Would you like to win the new stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, April 27^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

April PTI Blog Hop

** For There She Goes New Release Blog Hop please scroll down**

This is my third and last post for today. I just had to play along with this month PTI blog hop challenge, which is to create a design on an angle.

I used the natural loopy strings again (behind the banner) for an extra texture and for a touch of fun. The bird wood veneer is from Studio Calico and I have to say it's one of my favorite embellishment. 

Am keeping it short as I know you have many blog to hop on to. Thank you for taking the time to stop by here. I appreciate it very much. :)

Larry Blog Hop Challenge

** For my Some Odd Girl post please scroll down. **

Our newest sock goblin from Wendy Leach…be still my heart. Larry is ready for a day at the office, can’t you tell? Or maybe he's ready to attend a party? Or to celebrate? Either way, I think he looks super duper cute! :)

Larry is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Would you like to win this new Larry? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, April 27^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Painter Mae

As you know, Some Odd Girl is now releasing new digi images weekly. This week one of the image is this cute "Painter Mae".

For my card as usual I keep it CAS and I made it as if Mae just finished writing the sentiment. Maybe I should ask Kristy to make a matching easel image to go along with Painter Mae. Wouldn't that be cute?

Check out more inspiration and sample by visiting Some Odd Girl blog. Thanks for swinging by here and don't forget today our TSG blog hop continue.

Dream In Color & Ginger Blog Hop

Our first set from Megan Suarez this month is the gorgeous new Dream in Color. We love the gorgeous style of this flower, and we think you will, too.

Dream in Color is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 2 stamps and will sell for $9.00. The new stamps will be available on Saturday, April 27^th at 11pm.

I love the funky shape and pattern of this flower and decided to go with bold colors against lots of white space. My card base is measured 7 x 3.5 inch. Sometime long shape card works better than the standard size.

Next, the newest addition to Megan’s Spice Girls line is the GORGEOUS new Ginger set. Isn’t she lovely?

Ginger is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 5 stamps and will sell for $9.00. The new stamps will be available on Saturday, April 27^th at 11pm.

Since I was all into bright colors, I thought hot pink for Ginger's hair is appropriate. :)

Would you like to win the new stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, April 27^th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Paper Made Bakery Day

For There She Goes Stamp Blog Hop please scroll down. 

This one just a short sneak peek post. Today is my day at Paper Made Bakery. Please check it out HERE. Thanks so much.

Shiver Me Timbers/Ship Happens Blog Hop Challenge

It took a little begging, but we finally got Torico to illustrate a pirate set for us!! If you “need a little ‘aye’ candy”, well then “X marks the spot”.

Shiver Me Timbers is a 6x8 set that includes a total of 24 stamps and will sell for $24.00. The new stamps will be available on Saturday, April 27^th at 11pm.                                                 

I’m sure it comes as NO surprise to all you loyal There She Goes fans, but we couldn’t go without creating a companion set to go along with this SUPER fun set!! Leave it to the Trendsetters to come up with so many FUNNY and AWESOME sentiments that one set just couldn't hold them all.

Ship Happens is a  3x4 set that includes a total of 9 stamps and will sell for $9.00. The new stamps will be available on Saturday, April 27^th at 11pm.

For my card I decided that treasure chest shape card would be a fun base for the pirate captain. Here's the front of the card.

For the buckle, I only add glue to the center one only. This way I can slide the buckle in and out, so when you open the card it feel like you're opening a real treasure chest. And, this is how it looks when you slide off the chest belts and open the card.

So, what do you think? Fun, right?

Would you like to win the new stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, April 27th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Cutie Pie

Good morning, lovely crafty peeps!! First, how about starting your week with super sweet smile from my niece? I just love, love, love this pic. Her sweet expression here totally melt my heart and I want to kiss her cheeks so badly. I am so in love with this li'l cutie pie.

Sigh... I wish I could share the joy of seeing her grow up in person. However, due to me being in the States, I can only share it through pictures and Skype. Wonder if my brother would ever let me borrow her once she gets a bit older? ;) I'd so spoil her rotten! Hah....

Okie dokie, thank you for letting me gushing a bit. Now, after the gushing part done, let's get on to card, shall we? It's time for another Paper Smooches Sparks challenge. This time it's to create a card inspired by this pic.

Somehow in my head, the cupcake color makes me think kraft paper and the rose icing makes me think of flowers of course. Here's what I came up with:

I do love the greenies from the Reflection set. I think they just look so pretty. I don't use kraft cardstock too often, but I found out chalk ink works so well with them.

I hope you will play along with us and for more inspiration please check out what my teamies has created HERE. Thank you for swinging by here and hope your week starts off wonderfully!