Live.Laugh.Love {Art Journal} @ STAMPlorations

Hi everyone! I'm here again to share my art journal and a little reminder that the stencil May challenge at STAMPlorations is still running until this 31st day. Winners will definitely enjoy picking up your prizes so don't wait any longer to create and send in your creation(s) at Mr. Linky. 

I decided to play with homemade gesso, black and green watercolors for this art work. It's so true that even though I have plenty of time to create to my heart content while stay home during the pandemic but it's not all the time I can do so in the best of spirit. Trying hard to concentrate on my work but the right brain constantly worry about the future; what will take place next; my major concern is my children's future like all parents do and so on.
Then my left brain told me it's alright, stay calm, create something positive and positive will come. Hence the use of these three popular words: LIVE...LOVE...LAUGH.

You can't live in misery despite this dreadful occurrence. Life must go on. That's the reason I choose black to depict clouds of anxiety and the uncertainty of the current situation. In between the vacillation circumstances, silver lining does shine unseen (the white and green shades) while the butterflies depict hope, happiness and freedom. One may aware that no matter how difficult life throws at you but all our action is lead by prayer. The power of prayer is an amazing exchange; by handing over our worries to Allah, He hands over His blessings to us. 

 I used Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies to cut my butterflies but used the reverse as frame to glue down on this page once the gesso dried. I simply combined green and black to light up the butterflies and doodle the edges with black gel pen. The blue portray the power of prayer as one continues to have faith in God while carrying on living.

 I also stamped small butterflies for additional interests. I hope my simple and little mixed media art work inspire you to create something today.
As always don't forget to display the challenge graphic below in your blog post to be eligible for prize winner:

STAMPlorations products used:

|| Artsy Border Maker || Flutter Zen 1 Layering Dies || Trendy Butterflies ||

 That's it for today. I shall be back soon. Meanwhile, if you haven't already joined Spring Fling Blog Hop & Linky Party, you still have time until May 31st. Lots of spring goodies waiting for you.

Take care. Stay safe and have a good time.
Hugs and smiles,

Best.Day.Ever {May 1) @ STAMPlorations

Hello everyone and happy May! 

First day of May that often takes me back to 21 years ago! You may wondering huh?

This is the day my husband and I tied the knot in 1999. I'm so grateful the Almighty and our parents blessed our marriage and together we build our marriage life and keep our fort between ups and downs, high and low, difficulties and arguments, laughter and jokes, love and hate, and all that makes our marriage life more meaningful and cherishable. The fact that my husband is the eldest child (and he married to someone's youngest daughter) truly makes him a keeper to me and our four blessings. I can't stop thanking the man of my life for everything he does and can never stop counting my blessings either.

Well of course this pandemic and stay home order forbidden us to go elsewhere to celebrate. Also this is the 7th day we Muslims are fasting in Ramadan so I plan to cook something special to break the fast later in the day, and just enjoy the grey weather indoor.

Nevertheless I wanted to make something special to mark our 21 years so our children will have something to look into one day. I haven't made a scrapbook page for ages (last was October 2017!!). I sincerely hope this will gain you some ideas and inspirations.

This special layout is made part of my design team work for STAMPlorations.

Today is the start of May Stencil Challenge.

This shabby artsy mixed media layout used combination of different mediums and elements. This is the second series of my family scrapbook page [back in 2017 I decided to create a special family album as heirloom for my children and their future kids one day {smile}. Click here to see the first creation]. This family photograph was taken last year when we spent the evening at Mount Jerai. A very cozy and beautiful hill top where my immediate family, my newly married husband and I spent the night on 8th May 1999 before we were celebrated for the second wedding reception at his parents' home on 9th May 1999. By the way our wedding day was at my parents' home on 1st May 1999. This family picture was never easy to snap because of the cloud in the background and it was around 6.45pm but lucky me, the visitors nearby understood I was using self-timer dslr and they stayed put so we can have that spot without distraction but some who didn't understand simply walked by {huhuhu}. Adjusting the camera and running back and forth between the tripod and my loved ones were crazy hilarious. This time I chose 10 seconds timer and 10x continuous shot allowing me to choose the best photo.

 Layering and bulky of craft embellishments tucked in underneath each layers is one of my most favorite thing to do besides focusing on attention to detail. This is very important to me.

 I used basic techniques like punching paper scraps to make paper lace around the heart shape, folding old book pages to create paper flowers and relying on my old school sewing machine to sew the edges. 

 I used ARTplorations layered petals, plaid maker and stained glass stencils to create textural designs with homemade texture paste.

 Splashing black paint for additional interest. The stained glass stencil is one of my favorite stencils in the STAMPlorations shop. I simply adore the star shape so much, not sure why. And I also love using artsy border maker stamp set to stamp designs randomly.

That's how I mat my self printed photograph by gluing down on thick cardboard before I glue down on black cardstock to frame it up. Owh and that gauze is from my son's previous dentist's visit for his braces. A little note, he is twice due for braces change because the clinic is closed since Movement Control Order started on 18th March here in Malaysia until 12th May. I look forward to the day when our Health Director General, Dr Noor Hisham announce the last day of this stay home order and hopefully the dentist is back in action and the real beginning to the new normal - 1m social distancing, no gathering, no handshake, wear mask and hand sanitizer - until the vaccine is found within a year or two or more he said. Today he said that as Malaysia had managed to flatten the curve, the country must “strike a balance between life and livelihood”. 

I can't stop smiling when I look at the punched flowers above. I was madly in love with punches when they were big hit in those years. Now I don't buy them anymore but some day if I ever come across some pretty design I might {chuckle}.

 I used Kaisercraft patterned papers and sentiments and the rest are from my stash to adorn the family photograph of me, my husband and our four blessings.

The STAMPlorations products used:

Artsy Border Maker and Trendy Butterflies stamp set

Plaid Maker Stencil and Stained Glass Stencil

And here's taking my layout into these challenges:

1. Creative Artiste Mixed Media : Ch#60 Anything Mixed Media Goes

2. Craft Stamper : Anything Goes

3. Vintage Journey : Beautiful Blooms

4. Your Next Stamp : Ch#138 Lots Of Layers 

That's it for me today. I hope you get some inspirations from me and will create something special for your heirloom as well. I look forward to see your project/s in our challenge this month with the graphic challenge below in your blog post.

Thank you for dropping by, stay safe and see you soon.

Hugs and smiles,

Believe In The Impossible {Art Journal} @ STAMPlorations

Hello everyone! Hello April and welcome to my artsy zone on this day bringing you a mixed media art journaling made as my design team project for STAMPlorations new challenge this month. Take a visit HERE to have a see my fellow teammates' designs and join us in this month's Stencil Challenge.

This is created in the most roughest time the world is facing right now. Life hasn't been easy each passing day with the uncertainty but life has to go on. I wish everyone is doing fine and healthy. 
I pray hard this will pass very soon and hope Allah will take the virus away once and for all. I believe He will. 

I used a brown paper bag to create this art work.

Here a few up-close pictures:

 I wanted a vintage feel so the use of blue and brown with black which is my must have color in almost every projects I do {smile}.

Taking my art journal into these awesome challenges:

1. Try it on Tuesday : Beauty of Nature

2. Little Red Wagon : Ch#543 Blue

3. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge : Anything Goes

4. SanDee & Amelie's Steampunk : ATG - Steampunk or Industrial

That's it for now. Don't forget to display the graphic below in your blog post so you are eligible to win if you're the winner:

 Thank you for dropping by and stay safe.

Hugs and smiles,

Spring Fling Day 6 @ STAMPlorations

Hello beautiful friends! Welcome to STAMPlorations ~ Spring Fling Giveaway Day 6.
I'm super excited to be joining the STAMPlorations team in celebrating the flowery season...spring that is in twelve days giving you twelve days of prizes. Aren't you excited?

Inspiring you on this day is a spread of art journal done with heavy and light black and white stamping using Versafine black ink pad. 

The Framed Solitary Rose stamp was colored with watercolor using aqua brush. 

Lastly I stamped BOLD SENTIMENTS Create and Discover to create a quote. Then I distressed the edges with Tim Holtz Distress ink pad.

Today's prize along with your commenting today on my creation and participating designers on their blog posts will put you in the running for a choice of 1 cover plate thin metal die ($15 value).

*Commenting ends on Friday, April 19, with winners announced in a special post on Monday, April 22.*

Throughout April, products in the SPRING FLING section will be 25% off instantly. If you combine it with my DT code - STAMPGIRLASMAH - you can receive up to 45% off. Now *that* is a deal! 

You can find the fabulous Spring Fling products HERE.

 Be sure to hop on Day 9 to have a see on my upcoming inspirational project

Wishing you happiest spring and have fun hopping. Don't forget to leave comments.
I read all your comments (smile).

Hugs and smiles,

All About Recycling ~ TAGplorations @ STAMPlorations

Hello crafty friends! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I had a blast with my two girls at home all Saturday doing nothing much but serving the internet, cooking, eating and chatting away. My biggest intention that morning was to finish off sewing the kitchen curtains but instead I got the girls to declutter their wardrobe and I took a while sorting fabrics I hoarded bought few years ago; the ones I planned to make into pillow cases and cushion covers but never get around to do so. Let see when the time comes!

Right! Here's bringing you my new tag for
STAMPlorations ~ April TAGplorations challenge.

The theme is All About Recycling and the optional twist is tissue paper.

I accumulated plenty of cardboard backings from packages over the years and they always come handy in my projects. I always tell myself that papers are expensive so I shouldn't throw them just like that!

 To create this quick and easy tag, I used three variant sizes of dies from Tags #1 Nesting Dies and the smallest size bracket from Bracket Labels/Tags Nesting Dies to cut into some pieces and combined them altogether. Then I attached butterfly foam sticker and sentiment to complete a really clean and simple design. 

If you wish to own the dies I used, my coupon code will give you 20% discount for your purchase at STAMPlorations shop.

Taking my tag into these challenges:

1. Crafting By Designs : Anything Goes

2. The Sisterhood of Crafters : Celebrate Spring

3. Watercooler Wednesday : Feminine "Anything Goes"

4. The Crafty Addicts : Ch#59 Anything Goes/Optional theme in the pink

5. Crafty Gals Corner : Ch#188 Spring Is Here

6. Ellibelle's Corner : Wings, Tails or Spring Blossoms

 That's it for today. I look forward to see you at Mr. Linky by the end of this month.

Happy creating.

Hugs and smiles,

Mixed Media Art Journal @ STAMPlorations

Hi! I am so happy to bring you y recent art journal designed as part of my design team project for STAMPlorations March Challenge. Please click HERE to take you to the challenge page.

This art journal is created on page spread with few layers of black gesso.

Some close-up pictures:

The sentiment is from Art Is stamp set stamped down using silver ink pad.

 To create the flower decoration on both ends, I brush in gesso through Bloom Boldly stencil and stamped Trendy Butterflies 2 for additional interest.

I sincerely hope you like my creation this time. Looking forward to see yours in the challenge. Kindly display this graphic below in your blog post for a chance of winning.

Wish you lots of happiness on this day. Thank you for dropping by.

Hugs and smiles,