Hamper Labels

"I want hamper labels with a difference"
It was like, "Wow! How different can labels be?"
Challenged, I took on the task. Uphill at first as this time, I had to work on a space smaller than a bookmark! KT was pretty adamant that the label should attract yet not overwhelm the hamper.

Again, another pleasurable journey in crafting.

PaperBag Album

DD and I decided that we would do something nice for a friend. She was receiving treatment for an illness, her sons were away studying and her husband, on a new overseas posting. We wanted something that she can participate in. That was a bit tricky as she was in Chicago. So this project came to mind. We would do the album and once it gets to her, she can fill them in with photos and others journals. It was awesome. Thank you Teresa for the handmade papers. Those papers suited our friend perfectly. I have never been so challenged .... venturing into glitters. This is what we finally came up with. We're so glad Sunanda liked it.

My Scrapbook Story

EnHui planned a sleepover with some friends. They planned to make cards. That was fine with me.
I knew that they will be a box of birds right into the wee hours of the night. After all ... been there, done this. I know what it's like.
The morning (11 am is still morning, right!)arrived and they dished out scrapbooking paper! They decided to make a scrap page instead!
HORRORS!!! I have never done that before!!!
My protests were not heard in the midst of their chattering. Perhaps, ignored even.
Well, they made some really lovely scrap pages as you can see. I was inspired!

My A-Cardion Story

I was inspired by my dear cousin Florence (again!!).
She made an absolutely gorgeous journal-cum-photo book as a bon voyage gift for my daughter. She used scrapbooking paper designs which I wouldn't even give a second look and churned out an exquisite piece of art. It is a class of its own. It took my breath away.
It is one of those not-so-daunting projects. The journal flips like a accordian. There's plenty of space for journalling and photos. Both the front and back can be used.

Now, I am into it!

My Gift Tags Story

Debbie asked me to make some gift tags. Another challenge!
A really great way to make use of those little scrap papers.

Finicky little things!Made a few but did not go very far from there.

My Brag Books Story

I bought some "Beyond the Pages" stuff a long time ago. Every time I tried to pull myself together to work on it, I just freaked. I had seen Angie's creations. They are so lovely.
Two months ago, with three little additions to my extended family, I decided that I should make some keepsakes for them. "Beyond the Page" waved out to me again! Like the Charge of the Light Brigade, I treaded into these:

They are pretty much like mini Scrapbooks except that they are smaller. The covers are thick and sturdy. Deoupaged and embellished them. Added several blank pages, stamped some journal lines and there you go.
Ahem, the added pages need to respect the shape of the cover.
I thought that I should not deny the mothers, the pleasure of filling in the album. They don't necessarily agree with me. Well, its the thought that counts

My Bookmarks Story

I agreed to my darling daughter's request for about 20 bookmarks for an NUH Pharmacy function. Piece of cake! 3 days before the actual event ( and I had not even got started), the numbers hiked to 50!!! Adrenaline pumping I set to work.
Personalized? I resorted to the computer! The printer played up as usual when you're on 911! After much persuasion, it obliged.
As usual, my ribbons turn out quite the wrong way. Darling daughter solved the problem by starting with the wrong way. It worked!! Gotta do it wrong to get it right. Hmmmm...
3 days of intensive labour and unkept house later, I got the bookmarks all out. Phew! It was like by the skin of my chinny chin chin.

Told myself I would not make anymore bookmarks, but ....

My Photo Frames Story

Darling daughter's capping.
Photos were taken, courtesy of a brother, Tian Keong, an avid photographer.
We wanted to send some of the photos to relatives. Bought some frames .... Ugh!! It did not do justice to the good photography
Took a trip into town to get those really nice thick 300gsm papers with wood texture.

Scoring it was a pain in the neck! Actually, it is the shoulder!
I thought it did more justice to Tian Keong's work than the bought frames.

My File Box Story

2007! It's Teachers' Day again!
I have seen teachers' tables heaped with the standard gifts.. photoframes, pencil holders, etc etc. They could set up a co-op shop if not for not wanting to hurt the kids' feelings.
Thought I should think outside the box ... look into file boxes. Teachers will of course have good use of them. After all, they made us parents invest in these stuff with all the worksheets they give (with good intentions, of course) our "bao bei" to work on.

And I wanted it to be unique. I had to!
While the idea was good, by the time my dear son lugged them to his primary school teachers, I think they probably didn't know which score line to follow!
Ah well, it's the thought that counts.

My MakeOver Boxes Story

Boxes of the moon! Well, they really are Mooncake boxes.
Florence gave us a session on Antique Box Making. It was fun and messy. Scrapbooking papers, decoupage paste, brushes, glue tapes, eyelets, brads, ribbons etc, etc. I was beginning to think that my childrens' mess is an inherited behavior!
I have made a number of boxes. Of late, I find that Mooncake boxes are so beautiful that there is no justice in any more makeovers.

My Card Story

My friend Angie mentioned making cards. With all good intentions, I tried to put her and my card enthusiast cousin Florence together and lo, I was smitten.
Ok, I am down-to-earth and most of my works are earth-tone. Card-making has drawn me to observe nature, God's handiworks.
Each card is unique. Yes, they are all singular edition.Birthdays
Congratulations
Encouragement as in Inspiration and Scripture
Festive Time
Get Well
Loss for Words
Someone Special
Sympathy
Thank You
Thinking of You

My Pottery Story

How each piece turns out depends on the hands that designed it. The hands give the clay its final shape. That lump of clay cannot dictate what shape it wants to take on. The hand decides. This is a constant reminder to me that God is the Potter; I am the clay. What a humbling lesson in moments of discontent.
I had often been intrigued by pottery, but equally often, dismissed. Never dared imagine I that I could do it. Just not my cup of tea. Too daunting to me. ...or so I thought.
The challenge came as I spent 3 wonderfully therapeutic and dusty years working with clay at the Parents Pottery Club of Dunman Secondary. I am thankful to my instructors, Mr Zul and Mrs Chern and to the Principal, Mrs Edelweis Neo for for her tremendous support.

I never knew dirt could be so therapeutic.

My Class Jar Story

I saw recycled jars beautifully painted at Raffles City. I would have got one for myself if not for the atrocious price. I walked away impressed and slightly depressed.
You can imagine my excitement when my then little girl(then)sprinted back from school with a brightly painted jar. I wasted no time and after interrogating her teacher, made my way to Spotlight.

This is an earth friendly craft. Reuse jars which would otherwise have been thrown out. After all, we have only one earthly home... yea, Earth itself.

My Tapestry Story

I picked up this art in school and have never looked back since. My very first piece of work is stored in a special place to remind me that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single (very often, humble) step.

My very first piece of work is stored in a special place, a reminder that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single (very often, humble) step.
My dear friend Mah Lai can never understand how one so lacking in patience could take up such a patience-tapping hobby. Neither can I!