Special Birthday @ DS4J

{My DT work for DS4J}

Hello friends! I have been very quiet for so many days I know. My last post was July 10 and then I was creating for some custom orders and upcoming design team work as well as balancing between working from home, housework, sewing clothes, mothering and family time. I was occupied and keeping everything organized as much as I can until mid-July approach bringing us the most saddest news ever. The evening of July 15, my husband received a phone call from his youngest sister of their beloved father's passing. My mother-in-law was with him until his last breath. My 78yo father-in-law was ageing and not in the best of health but still able to drive to the mosque, eat and drink as usual, walk up the stairs to his room except he didn't have the energy for gardening anymore. I used to help him cleaning his garden together but ever since he can't do it anymore, I would do as much as I can when we visited him. Now is just a memory that is still hard to swallow! 

After the funeral on July 16, we spent many days with my mother-in-law until it was time for me to go home with mountain of dirty clothes and plenty of things to get done since we left the house in emergency so the house was completely a huge mess. I left the house with tea time dishes unwashed, oven not wiped, clothes unfold, floor not swept and mopped and dining table full of dt work with paints and stuff. Even the sewing machine was not kept properly let alone fabrics and sewing materials all over the room.

Enough blab...thank you for reading so far {smile}. Today this moment ignoring a badge of laundry to fold {never mind that}...so eventually, I am able to share with you my long waited post for Digistamps4Joy mid-challenge reminder project I did before my father-in-law left us forever.

 A few close-up pictures:

The challenge will end at the end of this month so you still have ample time to submit your paper craft creations.

I hope my card gives you an inspiration to play with mixed media elements if you like that and create to your heart content.

Until I see you in the next couple of days. Take care and thank you for dropping by.

Hugs and smiles,

Tropical Paradise @ DS4J

{My DT work for Digistamps4Joy}

Hello friends! How is everyone doing? I was a little busy putting back things to their homes all last week after taking the pots and pans, Tupperware, plates and glasses for Eid Mubarak celebration. I cleared the jars on the coffee table and placed back the little vase with two guppy fish swimming happily in it giving me so much joy. On top of that I was able to spend a few hours over the weekend pulling some weeds near the bananas plantation at the backyard corner. One young banana tree is not growing green but turning yellowish that puts me in wonder. I've put in new soil and fertilizer so give it some days and I'll watch its progress. I also did one hour deep cleaning the master bedroom yesterday and moved furniture around. I've been quite busy I was too tired to blog anything the past days {oh well}.

Enough blab so let me take you to another new digital images released by Digistamps4Joy yesterday. Check out this link to see some fabulous images drawn by Margaret Kieser and Jen Lee. We hope the creations by the design team will give yo some inspirations as well to play with digital images.

This is what I made using Tropical Paradise (set):

I created a clean and simple minimalist mixed media ATCs. The bricks in the background was made with paste through gridlocked ARTplorations stencil and colored using watercolor paints.

While you are at Digistamps4Joy blog, you are cordially invited to join Chasing Rainbows Blog Hop in South Africa. It's a fun hop that takes you to several amazing bloggers offering delightful creations and some surprises!

That's it for me today. I wish you great weekdays.

Hugs and smiles,

Flutter & Fly {Junk Journal} @ MHKDesigns

{My DT work for MHKDesigns}

Hi everyone! Happy July to all. Let us all hope this month brings you the best of life and good health is all we want most of the time and probably some extra cash to put aside for something important eh. Life on my end is gradually returning to routine after spending a week for Eid Mubarak celebration. Today marks the 7th day of Syawal and in my country the celebration still continues with a tradition called open houses by owners. One sets a day for the event and invites families and friends to celebrate the occasion in harmony. This year I don't make open house because my home is always open for a cup of tea {smile}. Okay the truth is we have no plan for it this Syawal, perhaps next year, insyallah.

Enough blab. Let me lead you to MHKDesigns July Challenge. The design team ladies have created such amazing projects to kick start your crafty make.
I came up with my first artwork in my newest junk journal booklet made from brown shopping bag. I will have a tutorial coming soon about the way I made this journal.

I printed and adhered three dragonflies from Flutter and Fly digi stamp set to let them enjoy the colorful background in my journal. This is really a gorgeous set offering you beautiful eight images and five sentiments. Isn't that awesome? 

Here are a few close-up pictures:

I applied some layers of modeling paste on the page several times and used a plastic fork to swipe over the paste to create patterns as seen above. While it dried naturally, I fussy cut the dragonflies.  

When I felt I have completed everything, I knew I needed to add something more. Hence the doodle writing with black gel pen.

I decided to leave the butterflies as is without any coloring except highlighting the edges because they are the main focal point fluttering by to explore this new artsy background I created {chuckle}.

I splattered some white paints for additional interest.

That's it for today. I hope my junk journal gives you some ideas and inspirations to create this weekend. I also look forward to your entry submission at this link by the end of this month. You may create whatever you have based on this graphic below if you don't use MHKDesigns products:

Until I see you again soon and I shall try to make time and visit your blog one of these days. Thank you always for dropping by. I truly appreciate your visit and value your time.

Hugs and smiles,