DigiStamps4Joy ~ Mid Challenge Reminder (Theme:Circles)

Hello everyone! With no further ado, I would like to say that time runs when you are having fun, isn't that so? Here's a quick reminder that Circles Challenge at DigiStamps4Joy is coming to its end in several days. If you haven't made a paper project yet and intend to do so, here's a chance to win fabulous images from the store provided you follow the theme Circles.

Do visit DS4J blog for more inspirations from the design team. 

Here's my stepper card using Misteri - Dreamer. Click here to get her.

Supplies: DS4J digi image, Copic Sketch, sentiment from, Rangers distress ink and old scraps of patterned papers from my stash

 I did a little bit of pointillism around the egde.

I wish to take this card into these challenges:
1. Crafty Creations : Use something old from your stash (1/2)
2. Hobbybook Designer : 2 or more designer paper (1/3)
3. Simon Says Stamp : Anything Goes (1/5)
4. The Sisterhood Crafters : Fancy Fold (1/3)

Thank you for dropping by and wishing you blue sky and everything nice.

Hugs and smiles,

You Are Special ~ Scrap Around The World & Sketchabilities

Hi everyone and big welcome to my new follower. After a long break from scrapping, finally my scrappy mojo returns and a layout is doable today.  

 I combined two challenges from Scrap Around The World and Sketchabilities in order to design this layout of my youngest daughter Afza. I have promised to make a layout for her birthday gift (she turns 6 on August 17th). I didn't snap her on her birthday (mom being busy forgetful) but anyway I've been meaning to scrap these photos I took last year and love her sporting character at every photo shoot. Afza loves to pose and model, hence the reason I chose the right top picture from the mood board by Marilyn Rivera. 

 I love Karan Gerber's sketch because I love layering, splatter of ink and paint, tags, stitching as well as Karan's stunning leaves and flowers in  this sketch.

Here are some up-close photos:

Afza was excited when she knew I was going to make her this page so she offered to help out...erm...well...errr...so okay, I let her do what she wanted to do while I watched tv, lol. Honestly, I like to work in peace and stay focus. She punched a few leaves and told me to use them. "Okay!", I said. Half hour later she fell asleep so I carried her to her bedroom and begun my work till mid-night feeling satisfied because I tucked in Afza's leaves underneath the butterfly and flowers before I went to bed.

Supplies: Kaisercraft (Honey Chai collection, die cuts), Carla Craft punch, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist, Delfino and Tiffany flower embellishment, Tim Holtz distress ink, dry wall tape, watercolor and others from my stash 

Before Afza went to school this morning, she hugged me tight and say, "Thank you Mom for making me the layout". So sweet of her! That is motivation enough for me to keep going and scrap more pages before the month ends as I have promised my eldest daughter I will make ten layouts before August 31. Erm, today feature my first layout of the month, hehe.

Thank you for dropping  by and have a nice day.

Hugs and Smiles,

DigiStamps4Joy ~ Exciting News

Hi everyone! I have exciting news to share with you all!

DigiStamps4Joy will celebrate it's 100th challenge on the blog on 3rd September!

To celebrate this fabulous milestone, we are not only holding a Blog Hop for 2 weeks, but will also be giving away some fabulous prizes during and after the Hop.

Don't miss this, as you will have a whole month to celebrate with us and to win prizes.

WATCH THIS SPACE! 

Until the morning after...take care and have great moments always.

Hugs and smiles, 

DigiStamps4Joy ~ Circles, Art Journal & Tutorial

Hello my friends! I'm back again to share with you a new challenge is up at DigiStamps4Joy this fortnight. I am happy to announce that it's my turn to host a challenge and I have chosen CIRCLES for the theme. You can do any type of paper project and the 

must have is make any type of circle(s) made from papers on your creations.

The design team have created wonderful 'circle' projects to inspire you. Hop over to DigiStamps4Joy blog to have a see and link up your project.

I have made a mixed media art journal using Rain Dance. Click here to get her. 

Supplies: DS4J digi image, Copic Sketch, Kaisercraft template, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist, Gesso, Modelling Paste, Mod Podge, VersaFine ink pad, watercolor, drywall tape and

sentiment from Ginger's House

 Some up close photos:

I thought you would like to know how I made these pages so here's sharing step by step tutorial.

Please make yourself a cuppa, sit back and enjoy this lengthy post {smile}.

 Before bed time on Sunday night, I cut strips of scraps and adhered on the pages in the recycle book with mod podge. 

The next morning I resumed my project by adding drywall tape (from hardware)...

  ..and pressed Gesso from the tube but oh man I did it again...oopssie...don't ask me how it happens but it happens, lol.

I use my old Bonuslink card to apply Gesso. I find this and credit cards often works best for me.

 My preschool daughter was off school that day and she kept me company with endless blab questions (nice).

I applied two layers of Gesso and didn't really cover up the whole pages because I will splash paint and do stamping next.

Meanwhile, it started to pour heavily so I brought in the laundry, sighhh. The weather is quite unpredictable the past two months. Nevertheless it's comfy indoor and the rain does match my journal pages {chuckle}.  

 I continued with dropping watercolors on the page randomly and spritz with water to let it run and create pattern on its own...

 ...and dab with kitchen tissue when I find certain parts are somewhat watery as well as leaving patches of tissue glued naturally to the gessoed pages for texture.

 If you use recycle old book for art journal like me, be sure you have adhered number of pages together before you start the project. Don't be like me...pfft...I was working on the page and realized it was so light. Only then I noticed that I didn't glue up the pages underneath for durability. If you wonder, no I don't use Mod Podge for the purpose but homemade one (equal parts of pva glue and water) which is less expensive but very effective as well. 

 Once the messy part is done and satisfied (so far)...

 ...I dry it up with heat gun. The noise attracted my little daughter who came forward to help (lovely). Normally I prefer to dry up my work under the sun but the rain hid the sun this time...

 ...plus I couldn't wait to use my new Kaisercraft template. I'm a brick lover and have been aiming for a brick template so when Spotlight had her grand opening in Ampang Point in July {sadly I couldn't be there}, my sister Lili (had been anxiously waiting with excitement) didn't miss the opportunity. She even bought me one giant Spotlight shopping bag of Kaisercraft supplies!! For the past years we shopped online via Lili's good friend Kelly-ann Oosterbeek (a designer for Kaisercraft). We are really big fan of Kaisercraft products and my supplies have almost dwindle now. Thank you Spotlight for bringing in Kaisercraft to Ampang Point. I believe when my sister found Kaisercraft section, my guess is she left Spotlight with big hole in her wallet, teeheehee.

 A kid's pencil you ask? I can't find my drawing pencil to highlight the strips of scraps so anything goes huh?

Next up I distress the edges with VersaFine ink pad within reach...as always, anything goes :-) After all, this is mixed media.

 Bottle cap is perfect for stamping circles. I also cut out some circles from cardstock and ink them up with watercolor plus misting. 

Here's the finished project once again. I have stamped up the edges with bubble wrap for depth. I also highlight some bricks and the image with Copic.

I hope my creation will inspire you to use digi images in art journal and DigiStamps4Joy has a lot of beautiful images in the shop. 

I can hardly wait to see your circles paper project in my challenge. You have two weeks from now so start creating.

Here are the challenges I'm taking part this time:
1. Clear It Out : Theme Anything Goes Stash Anything Goes (1/3)
2. Fan-Tastic Tuesday : Anything Goes
3. Oldie But A Goodie : Anything But A Card (use very old scrap of papers)
4. Crafty Catz : Recycle It (I recycled old book to be my Art Journal book)
5. Party Time Tuesdays : Water Coloring
6. Try it on Tuesday : Use Your Stash (1/5)
7. Craft My Life : Anything But A Card
8. Artistic Inspirations : Anything Goes &/or Up Up And Away
9. Eclectic Ellapu : Anything Goes option Water Colors

Wishing you the best today and thank you for visiting and comments.

Hugs and smiles,

Aloha from DigiStamps4Joy

Hi again! I'm thrill to bring you another inside story today. DigiStamps4Joy released some beautiful digi images in the shop today. Hop over and take a look! We have stunning creations by the design team to keep you inspired. 

My step card are merged with images of Aloha (click here) and Aye Captain (click here). Colored version of Aye Captain is also available here. 

 Supplies: DS4J digi image, Copic Sketch, Kaisercraft patterned paper, Tim Holtz distress ink, Tattered Angel Glimmer Mist, Carla Craft punch and others from my stash

Once again I'm taking my card into these challenges:

1. Crafting At The Weekend : Anything Goes

2. Fantasy Stampers : By The Sea

3. Open-Minded Crafting : Last Days Of Summer

4. Treasured Times : Anything Goes

5. A Girl Who Crafts : Anything Goes

6. Cards Galore : Anything Goes

7. Craft and Smash : Summer Holidays

8. Copic Marker Spain : Summer/Vacation

9. Imagination Crafts : Summer Holidays or Create A Scene

10. Doodle Pantry : Any Digi Goes

11. Kreativeinkauf : Anything Goes

12. Seemacrafts : Summer Fun In August

Today has been a blessed day for me because my little girl turns 6 and the crafty plan I have in mind is creating a layout for her. Can hardly wait to start, lol.

Thank you for your visits and sweet love.

Hugs and smiles,

DigiStamps4Joy Mid-Challenge Reminder ~ A "New" Challenge

Hi everyone! I'm bringing you today a new card designed specifically for DigiStamps4Joy mid-challenge reminder. This fortnight challenge is entitle New hosted by my fellow design teammate Ursula Uphof. Create any paper projects you like about new job, new school, new life, new you, new baby, well, just anything new!

I have made a card for a girl who just enrolled into college and starts a new life, a new beginning, a new adventure, new books, new friends and all anew I would say, lol. The image is Con-gradulations (click here to get her). A colored image is also available here.

 Supplies: DS4J digi image, Copic Sketch, sentiment from Ginger's House, VersaFine ink pad, distress ink and others from my stash 

Couple of close-ups. I have used mainly scraps of patterned papers and cardstock from previous crafty projects to make this card. The scraps often accumulated after each project and the more I try to reduce the more they pile up. I like to save little bits of scraps no matter how teeny weeny size is left. I always like to think that I can use them up for my art journal project. 

Any other ideas to reduce? 

Looking forward to see your creations at DigiStamps4Joy. Challenge ends August 19 so don't delay. You may stand a chance to win some images. 

I would like to take this card into these challenges once again:

1. Sketch N Stash : Challenge 144

2. Crafty Sentiments : Anything Goes
3. Digi Choosday : Stitching - Real or Faux

I am honored to have your visit today. Come back again whenever you get the chance. Until then. Have nice moments.

Hugs and smiles,

DigiStamps4Joy New Releases

Hi everyone! It's the day of the week new releases from DigiStamps4Joy. We have new beauties in the shop today. DS4J owner cum artist Margaret Kieser and artist Jen Leeflang and my fellow design teammate Riette Gasser who has shown superb talent in drawing have come together in designing new digi images for August. 

DS4J DT's have created stunning cards to keep you inspired. Take a look at DigiStamps4Joy blog.  

My step card used Selfie. Click here to purchase her.

Supplies: DS4J digi image, Copic Sketch, sentiment from Ginger's House, Pop Artz patterned paper, Kodomo rubber stamp, VersaFine & Kaiserkraft ink pad, Marta Stewart border punch, butterfly punch

I would like to take this card into these challenges:
1. My Sheri CRAFTS : Shaped Cards
2. Crafting At The Weekend : Anything Goes (Always)
3. Time 4 Scrap : Anything Goes
4. Suzy Bee's Blooming Challenge : Anything Goes
5. Crafty Calendar : Anything Goes (1/3)
6. Bearly-Mine : Anything Goes (1/2)
7. Crafts Galore : Anything Goes (1/3)
8. Craftyhazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge : Anything Goes
9. Sisters Of Craft : Anything Goes (1/3)
10. Lady Bug Crafts : Favorite Colors

Thank you for visiting me today and I wish you a great day. Stay humble!

Hugs and smiles,