I have moved

I have been having many issues with blogger of late. I am moving to http://kreativityandme.blogspot.com/. Please bear with me till I am able to set it up properly.

Cheers,

Smita

I am back!!

Well, finally!! And about time too... Ok, for those who don't remember me (guess most don't coz I have been missing in action for a long time now), I am a cardmaker from India. I love crafting (no needlework and knitting though) when I have some spare time... I got into card making quite accidentally never having thought I could pursue a craft so seriously. This blog is my attempt to bring out the creativity in me. I do not sell my cards and mostly make them for personal use.

I have not been active in blog land for around 5 months now due to some personal problems. And during these last few months most of my crafting activities have been centered around my son - costumes for school functions; masks, animals with moving tails, trunk etc... when he was bored; trying many types of papercraft during his holidays just to keep him occupied and entertained - kind of sums up everything I have made since June! :-)) Why, just today I made him a spider bracelet that should do fine for his school's Halloween celebration (it isn't a very popular day around here so the bracelet and a spooky hat should be good enough).

Ok, coming down to the cards. I finally managed to get some time to do my own thing and decided to get down to some serious crafting. My favorite sketch blog has always been 2Sketches4you. So my comeback card (whoa! I am making myself sound like a celebrity, huh?) had to be based on their sketch.

The first card here is very loosely based on the sketch. I had to try these paper flowers from Kathy's blog somewhere so I added them to this card. I haven't added the sentiment yet. The champagne bottle and flute are stickers. I threaded a few buttons together for the embellishment.

Ingredients

CS: Metallic CS from DCVW, plain CS's from stash, DP from Hobby Ideas

Others: Leaf punch by Jef, 3D outliner from Hobby Ideas (used as champagne)

This second card is more of an actual adaptation of the sketch. Sorry about the poor light; the pics were taken from a mobile phone. Sentiment not yet added. This is an anniversary card like the previous one. I have 2 entwined hearts here (not clear in the pic) - a pink and a blue. The flowers and leaves were punched and hand embossed. Basically, it took a lot of effort to punch and shape all those flowers ;-)

Ingredients:

CS: Metallic CS from DCVW, others from stash

Punches: Flower punch from Carla craft, leaf from Jef

Others: rhinestones from stash, 3D outliner from Hobby Ideas, white microbeads from stash

That's from me for now. Hoping to be able to craft more often.

Cheers,
Smita

The crafting itch....

Hi there everyone,

It is now almost 5 months since I last crafted properly (except for my anniversary cards in June)!! Can you imagine a crafter staying away from her tools for so long??! Even I can't... but the situation has been such that I am left with no choice. I have been having people coming and staying all the time since we returned from our vacation... And I am one person who needs all the peace and quiet possible to be able to sit and craft! I can't stand interference and talking while I sit down to work... and there has not been this kind of a suitable environment for me since so long!

Anyway, now I want to craft... and the inspiration - apart from my own little creative side - is the new Fiskars Paper Trimmer that my dad got for me from Australia. I have been dying to own one of those; so now I am in seventh heaven. I shall hopefully be able to create something in the next few days... :-)

Here's a pic of what I've got... (this is from a website though):

Cheers,

Smita

Random ramblings

No, I have nothing to post... I made a few cards for my husband on our anniversary (which was on the 27th of June) but I haven't clicked pictures of them.

I just couldn't resist writing... The blog has been inactive for so so really long. My hands are even itching to craft again... ;-)

My (parents and brothers) -in-law are here with us now so I really have no time for crafting as such. But I do intend to make one more card for a cousin. If I manage to do it, you will see some post from me soon. I am also expecting more guests so there is no chance of taking out my craft material in front of everyone. I usually prefer creating in either complete silence or with soft music in the background. And with so many people at home, both these environments are impossible to create! :D

Well, a little about our vacation... It was one of the best-est (if there were such a word) trips I have ever had. Since it was our first vacation abroad, we both enjoyed ourselves to the hilt... and so did Aaryan... was sheer pleasure.... an awesome theme park. Kuala Lumpur was a shopper's paradise. Langkawi was the closest to heaven I could get... blue waters and the picturesque landscape. Singapore is now my favorite city ;-) Loved it loved it loved it...

Till later...

Smita

No new posts for sometime

Hi all,

There will be no new posts from me for some time now. We are going on vacation next week and I am too excited to do anything productive now ;-) After we get back, my in-laws will be coming over for a long stay. So I am not too sure when I will post next.

I will miss crafting for sure.

Love,

Smita

Debbie's droolworthy birthday candy

Hop over to Debbie's blog for the chance to win some truly awesome candy. Don't believe me? Well, check out this pic:

Hurry up! Last date: 23rd May.

Newer colors

I was chatting with my best (and oldest) friend, Kunkum, today. She commented that my blog was colorful, but there was loads of blue and pink. In today's card for Laura's Sketch # 26 at 2S4U, I tried to use other colors too - yellow and orange, for example. ;-) Vineet thinks the color combination is different but nice.

And I think I will try doing some of Kristina's challenges now on, so that I don't go wrong with the colors and I have a nice palette every week. I do look up all color challenges every week, but somehow when I sit down to make a card, I choose whatever suits my fancy at that moment.

Coming back to today's card. I love this stamp. It is from a new clear stamp set I bought recently. And I am totally in love with GlueDrops (which is our version of the Glue Dot). The adhesive is very strong and it kind of holds anything. I bought a circle punch too, recently, after looking at it for months. I was waiting for something larger, but this is the largest I have been able to find. :-( I used it in one of the bubbles (the green one). I have again give paper piecing a try but I think it is going to take a while to perfect this art.

My card recipe:
Cardstock: Metallic CS from the DCWV stack, blue patterned paper from Hobby Ideas, yellow and orange CS from stash
Stamp: Bubbles stamp from a Hobby Ideas clear stamp set
Others: Heidi Grace rub-on; Fevicryl 3D outliner in various shades; Staedler markers; Carla Craft circle punch; lace and ribbon from stash
PS: Vineet hates the pompom!! :D Wonder why?! I kind of find it cute and have bought it 3-4 shades. He thinks it looks kind of cheap!!

Does anyone have any nice template for a 6*6 card envelope/box? I checked Mel's blog (Mel Stampz) but couldn't find the kind I needed. I liked one of the semi-envelope templates that she has and used it for a friend's wedding card.

Love,

Smita

PS: For those of you suffering from the summer heat, have you had any ice lollies/popsicles yet?! :-) I just had one some time back.

Denise's gorgeous candy

Visit Denise's blog for a chance to win some great candy. She is offering loads of candy, so you might not want to miss out.

Love,
Smita

Cute

I received this wonderful award from Dora, whose blog I have been visiting and who has been leaving very sweet comments on my blog too. Isn't it cute?


Thank you, Dora for this... and thank you for including me in your list of friends. Do drop by Dora's blog to see her lovely creations.
I would like to pass on this award to:
Sharanya
Sylvia
Sankari
DeeDee
Maria
Donna
Carla
Juhi
This award, Friends... comes with the following description to be added & passed along: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in selfaggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated." It also says: "Please give more attention to theses writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

Love,
Smita

More candy

There is more great candy at Marcea's blog. Her birthday candy ends on May 12th. Go and check out what she has to offer.

Love,
Smita

Yummy candy at Janet's blog

Here is a chance to win some (no, loads of) yummy candy. Hop over to Janet's blog. Read the entire candy post for more chances to win the truly awesome candy.

Love,
Smita

Bright and nice

Hi,
I have a few cards to share with you today. Three to be precise. I am just too lazy to click pictures and post every day... I am trying to change this habit ;-) Hoping to be more regular soon...
Aaryan is down with a fever today and the poor kid hasn't eaten anything but 2 biscuits and a little bread since morning. I hope he recovers soon. :-(
Anyway here is something about today's cards.

This first one was a 'trial' card, if I may call it that. I wanted to try a tea bag folding star... it hasn't turned out great but then, as I mentioned, it was a 'trial' card, so I am happy I learnt what I wanted to. Inspiration again from Donna's blog. Of course, her card was beautiful and she had used the kite to make up her pattern and not this pointed star. I really wanted to use it for last week's sketch over at 2S4U but I finished the card only on Sunday...
Printed paper from Hobby Ideas; flower from a sticker strip from A C Moore; rub-on from Hobby Ideas
This next card is for a friend who is getting married soon. Bright colors are part of the Indian wedding... I haven't used any of the traditional reds and gold here though.. a little off beat for our kind of weddings.. The gorgeous patterned paper used here is from the Heidi Grace stack that I won. The printed vellum and pink velvet paper are from the Paper Company, the pink metallic card stock is from the DCWV stack, the flower - I don't remember the name, but it is again from the A C Moore set that Chirag got me, ribbons, lace and pearls are from by stash.

The last card is for 2S4U , Laura's sketch # 25. 2S4U seems to be the only challenge blog that really makes me create something every week (well, almost every week). Their sketches are always so much fun and seeing what the DT and fellow bloggers come up with week after week is truly inspiring.

The idea for the paper weaving was inspired by a creation by DeeDee (another one of my favorite cardmakers)! I added some tiny pearls to the center of the flower for added effect. I loved my card this week; Vineet thought the colors were a little offbeat and that I could do better with the sketch... What do you think?

Card stock: Green metallic sheet from DCWV; patterned paper from Hobby Ideas; embossed handmade paper from local stationer; green and pink tinted papers (used for the paper weaving bit in the center) from stash

Stamp: Gift stamp from Hobby Ideas

Others: Flower from a local craft bazaar; buttons, ribbons, pearls from local markets; sentiment from Heidi Grace; pompom lace and other ribbons from local markets; leaf punch by Jef

Love,

Smita

Smita goes international!

He he he he... Still laughing over the post title! Well, I am not kidding... ;-) I really have gone international with this card. Stop stop... Before you build up too much expectation out of the card, let me explain...

I had won Donna's blog candy a few weeks back. Anyone who has been reading my blog knows that I love her work. I had tried an explosion box in Jan inspired by her creation! ;-) Anyway, coming back to the point.. I received my yummy package on Saturday. God! You should have seen my scream and jump... There were loads of Heidi Grace paper (even double-sided, something I had never before seen), epoxy stickers, flower and button stickers, three spools of ribbon, chipboard stickers et al. So, you can imagine what made me scream. None of that stuff is actually available here so I wa,s thrilled beyond words.. so thrilled that I couldn't craft for so long (!!! well.. that's an excuse). I made a little card for a friend a couple of days back but then we gave it to him without clicking pictures. There goes!! It wasn't my best but it did use that yummy Heidi Grace paper.

I want to create one of Donna's goodie bags just so that I can use the double-sided paper without wasting even an inch of it!!
I spent most of today just thinking of what to use as the focal element in my card. I wanted all the focus to go to that circle in the sketch... and I hate circles!! ;-) You are wondering why! Well, I hate cutting around them because I never get them perfect; my local stationer does not have the cirlce punch in supply ever, which pisses me off; I am still hunting for Prima flowers look-alikes so that it becomes easier for me to fill those 'circles' in sketches; and lastly, I always wonder how people interpret the circle so well every time whereas I can't look at it as anything but just that!... Did I confuse you? I hope I did. Just wanted to tell you how much I dislike circles when I have to work with them... nothing against the shape otherwise! LOL!

Coming back to today's card. I have used a lot of stuff from Donna's package and some things that my bro-in-law (Chirag) got for me from AC Moore when he came down for the wedding. Thanks to both Chirag and Donna, Smita has finally gone international ;-)

Cardstock: Metallic CS from the DCWV textured metallic sheets range, Polka dots designer paper from the Heidi Grace pack, Pink velvet paper by The Paper Company, scrap of pink printed vellum sheet from The Paper Company, Blue and white CS from stash
The circles are made from a sheet of shimmer patterned paper from Hobby Ideas. (Ohhh! I love the shimmer)
Others: Sentiment from Heidi Grace, Blue lace and satin ribbon from stash.

Love,

Smita.

Bev's fab blog candy

Bev has some fabulous candy up for grabs (yeah, and this time there is some real candy too ;-) ). You wouldn't want to miss out on the chance to win, would you? So hop right there and grab the opportunity. Who knows, you might be the lucky one!
Her work, needless to say, is superb.

Love,
Smita

Whacky colors: Purple, orange and green

Ok! I know I am late for this challenge... I made it based on the color challenge at 365 Cards, completely forgetting that it is a daily challenge!! :-((( Anyway, now that the card is ready, I might as well post it.
Oh and one more disaster. I wanted to make a card for the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge. This week's challenge was based on one of my most favorite movies- My Fair Lady. But since the challenge was to use Embossing on a card, it was a little difficult one for me (I have no idea whatsoever how to emboss properly! No embossing powder available here, remember!)... Did read the tutorials... almost managed one faux embossing, but messed it up and had to trash it. :-( Anyway, just because I wanted so badly to play, I used some embossed paper. Does that count? Well, I don't know!!

Anyway, the only good thing is that I was able to make my second card based on the 2S4U sketch this week. Isn't that awesome!? :-)

My card recipe:
Cardstock: Metallic CS from the DCWV stack, printed paper from Hobby Ideas, purple tinted paper

Stamp: Gift stamp from Hobby Ideas (yeah, the same new set I bought 2 days back)

Others: Crocheted lace, decorative flowers and beads from local craft stores

PS: Please bear my stamping for some time. I am still trying to learn how to layer properly. I will then try and concentrate on the coloring techniques et al.

Pretty in pink

Hello,
Every week, I think of creating a card based on the 2S4U sketch first thing on Tuesday morning (the sketch is up by Monday night my time), but procrastination gets the better of me, and I end up creating the card earliest by Friday!! ;-)
This time, I broke my record, and created the 2S4U challenge card today!! :-)) Yay yay yay!!! I am pretty pleased with the result. I love the patterned paper I have used in today's card. I also bought a new stamp set today...hmm..not exactly a set, but yeah, all the stamps came in one box! I had seen the set earlier, but didn't buy it... don't know why. Anyway, it had been on my mind ever since...

My card recipe:
Cardstock: Metallic CS from the DCWV metallic sheets stack, patterned paper from Hobby Ideas, plain CS in pink, deep pink and chocolate brown
Stamps: Cake and Candle stamps from Hobby Ideas
Others: Pink sheer organza ribbon and pink satin thread from stash, locally available dry letter transfer (rub-ons), eyelets

PS: I also used Lulu's tutorial!! (yes, I know, doesn't look like it!)...LOL!!

Love,

Smita.

My charming Dwarf

Today was 'Fairy Tale character in school' day at Aaryan's Playschool. What fun!! :-) I wish I was studying with him ;-)) Chuckle chuckle....
After a discussion with Mamma and Richa, I concluded that I should dress him up as a 'Dwarf' from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I read and re-read the story to him over the weekend to get him excited about the character ;-))
I didn't do too much for the costume... made everything with Crepe paper mostly. The hat and a matching jacket. The beard was made with a scrap piece of paper with cotton for adding dimension. He was a little teary-eyed at school, but then we had told him that we will be clicking pictures, so he did dress up and pose. :-) Most of the others were dressed in store-bought costumes, so Aaryan was a little out of place there, but then I love everything handmade, so it doesn't matter! :-)

Did you hear about the big giveaway?!

Melissa of Creating from the heart is giving away a brand new Cuttlebug!!! Can you believe it? Just last week Papa and Murali bhaiya were telling me that I should invest in the machine. I have been thinking of buying it since then, but it is sooooo damn expensive!!! :-( Anyway, one lucky person is going to get it for free at Melissa's blog! How cool is that!?! :-)

Love,

Smita

Black or white?

Hi,
One lazy blogger, that is what I am!! :-( I have been intending to post for a while, but I just wouldn't stop reading others' blogs. Actually, for the past few days I have been busier reading food blogs than doing anything crafty! Anyway, here I am again.
I have something to share with you. I WON DONNA'S BLOG CANDY!!!!!! Whooooooooooooooooohooooooooo!! Isn't that cool?? I have been reading her blog regularly for a long time now, and I am so glad I won. I was stunned for a while; back to my senses now. :-) But now that I have won, I must not forget to tell all those who haven't visited her blog yet to please do so now!! She is one talented cardmaker, and with years of experience behind her! I love her creations.

Next, here is my card for Kazan's Sketch # 23 at 2S4U. I have been dying to make a black n white card since long, so here it is. Not made for anyone or for any particular occasion.

The recipe:

Cardstock: Silver from the DCWV mettalic textured paper stack, Patterned paper from Hobby Ideas (yeah, from my new stock), white glossy paper, white textured, black tinted paper, and parchment paper from the local stationer.

Others: I used locally available dry letter transfers (rub-on) for the sentiment, Fevicryl 3D-Outliner for the shimmering dots.

PS: Ohh, and did you see I finally tried a little bit of 3D layering by cutting out a flower from the patterned paper and layering it over another similar one ;-)

Love,

Smita.

More blog candy

Here is some more blog candy up for grabs! Do check out Sally-Ann's adorable creations too.

Love,
Smita

2S4U Sketch # 22

Hi,

My take on Laura's sketch #22 at 2S4U. I am taking part in this awesome weekly challenge after a really long time. I have not added any sentiment to this card yet, because I am still not sure whom this is for. No birthdays or anniversaries coming up soon!! :-) I am glad I was able to make a card without the inspiration that I usually need for making anything.
My card recipe:
CS: Pink shimmering textured CS from DCWV paper stack, the purple paper is decoupage paper from Hobby Ideas, yellow CS is textured paper from a local store
Stamps: All stamps (flower vase and butterflies) are from Hobby Ideas
Others: Fevicryl 3D outliner, Staedtler water color pencils
I have tried to give the card a 3D effect by layering the vases one over the other and mounting the butterflies on foam tapes.

Love,

Smita

My little prince

Hi,
This post is about my darling son, Aaryan. We both had been out for lunch today, and we had a blast. We went to the mall... he played for a while, and then we had pizza and garlic bread for lunch. He was a little reluctant about going in to Pizza Hut at first, but later I guess we both had a good time. :-)
And yes, we both went crazy at Hobby Ideas!! They have a new lot of patterned papers now, and I am so happy that I almost bought everything!! ;-) Aaryan liked a few sheets of stickers and other stuff and insisted on buying them; but ofcourse, Mamma was strict and she didn't let him buy anything. :-( The boy is so so fond of stickers that if I buy him one strip of stickers, he won't ask me to buy anything else for him that day! :-))))
It was the Annual Day at Aaryan's school on Saturday. He had taken part in a couple of dances. He was dressed as a sailor/boatman and they danced to one Hindi and one English song (not entire songs, of course). Here are a few pics.

The guy with the blue cap on, right in the middle (front) is my little prince.

Aaryan is on the extreme right with the oar in his right hand.

My handsome young man!! :-) Isn't he adorable?!

Love,

Smita.

Never seen sweeter candy than this

Susie is offering some marvelous candy. Oh I have never seen candy that is sweeter!! I must tell you to keep a glass of water handy before you see this picture...just to prevent you from fainting off!!

Yummy Easter blog candy

Jennifer has some gorgeous candy up for . Don't believe me? Well then... check this out!!!

She will draw the winner on Easter Sunday. So don't just sit here gaping at the candy... run!!! Go check out her lovely creations.

Smita

Lots to write about but no pics to upload...

Yeah, I know that is terrible! I have been creating a few cards over the past couple of days, but I didn't get to click any pictures, and thus I have nothing to show...

But I can describe the cards. I tried a new technique. The card is called a 'File folder card' and I got the tutorial from here. At first glance, I thought it was very very easy and that I should definitely try making it. Oh by the way, did I just forget to mention the best bit?!! I got hold of a scrapbooking magazine... The Scrapbook Magazine... at a book fair. It was an old 2005 edition, but still in its original sealed packaging. It contained a few sheets of free patterned papers from Chatterbox Inc. I don't know if you have heard of the company, but the papers are great.

Coming back to the card. I used this beautiful striped sheet (pink, blue, brown and other stripes) with plain chocolate brown cardstock. I have been wanting to try this pink and brown combo for ages now, but never got the right papers. This time, I loved the technique and the colors. It wasn't very easy for me to make, but it turned out fine. I also added an insert containing the note. It was a Thank You card that my mom wanted to send to somebody.

The other card was for my Dad. For this card I used the Notecuts template from Shortcuts. I folded the template in 2 to create a card that looked like a pair of curly braces. It turned out quite to my liking. I will ask Papa to click pictures and send it to me, so that I can upload those.

Tomorrow is the much awaited Annual Day at Aaryan's school. I am looking forward to seeing him dance!!

Love,
Smita.

Happy Holi

Happy Holi!!!! Today is the Hindu festival of colors and Spring - Holi. People all over the country are drenching their friends and family in colored water, music is in the air, and everyone is generally having a great time! We didn't play Holi this time (well, we usually don't); Aaryan played in school so I didn't actually take him out today... Holi is also a time when we have delicious food made at home - sweetmeats, kanji wada (a popular delicacy in Marwari households like ours) and a lovely milkshake called Thandai.

Today is also my parents' wedding anniversary. I haven't yet posted their card here, but I will do it soon. I gave it to them when I went visiting yesterday.
Nothing more for now.
Ciao.
Love,
Smita

Ah yes...

The inspiration for the accordian card in my previous post came from here:
http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/2008/08/project-hope.html

Now, you don't expect me to be better than Amy, do you?!? :-) Her card is fabulous!! And I just was inspired to make one for my DH!!!!

Love,
Smita

A little spice, a little romance...

Hi,
I know I have these terribly long intervals between two posts these days. I have been a little busy with other things. Aaryan had not been keeping too well over the weekend, and though I was able to craft, I hardly had the time to take pictures and put them up.
Coming back to the cards. Two cards are for the Cinema Saturday Creative Challenge hosted by Sankari and Brooke. I have been meaning to participate in their challenges since long but somehow haven't been able to. And this week, the challenge is not so difficult and I could have done a better job than what I have done... :-( I am a little upset. This week's theme was the movie, Bride & Prejudice. I have seen the movie... and the Indian element should have made it very easy for me to create a nice card. I am also a lover of bling and have loads of it in different formats in my stash (ribbons, laces, rhinestones, paints... everything....) but all I could come up with was these two.

The blue card (with the cake on it) is for my DH. It is his birthday on Monday and I made this one to match with the gift... he he... I am not revealing that as yet.. I am sure he will peek in here to see what I have been writing ;-).

Cardstock: Silver CS from the DCWV metallic stack, blue handmade paper, parchment paper
Rub-ons: From Hobby Ideas
Other: Ribbon and bling from local craft stores; 3D outliner from Fevicryl (used to fill in the hearts)



Our friends are celebrating their 2nd wedding anniversary tomorrow. This card is for them. I am also hoping this qualifies for the 2S4U challenge- Kazan Sketch # 21.
Cardstock: Gold and copper CS from the DCWV metallic stack; red and yellow textured handmade paper
Others: Lace and eyelets, rub-ons from Hobby Ideas

And a sneak peek into another card for Vineet. This is my favorite... I loved how it has turned out and have made a matching post-it note holder for him. Hope he will like it. I love the brown leather textured paper from the Paper Company (yeah, I am going international ;-) ). I found the tutorial online and now I have forgotten where.... I will post the link as soon as I remember. I have written a poem inside that I found to be one of the most romantic ones I have read... It begins with 'Lay thy hand in mine, dear...' . Try to read it online if you can... I will post the entire poem after the 9th. :-)

Love,

Smita

Hit it!!!

I have finally added a Hit Counter to my blog! Time to set targets I guess. I had just been too superstitious about it till now because I thought I might just stop blogging after I added it... But now I think I need it. And I also need to make more cards and participate in more challenges if I want to be a known name in the card making world in general. Phew!! Too many goals, huh? But what to do... this part-time hobby is growing on me now... and I am all the time thinking of new patterns and new techniques for my cards... Touch wood.

I am hoping that the few people who follow my blog pray for my success!! I need your prayers and best wishes...

Love,
Smita

What I have been up to...

Hi all,
Pics of what I have been creating in this past week or so.


Card for my brother... well, too much of white, but I had to try this waterfall card for him and I had less than half an hour to do it! :-) I hope he likes it.... His exams start on Monday and I hope he does well.

Mamma's 50th birthday card. As you all can see, I have generously used eyelets in both these cards! Couldn't resist showing off with my new tool. :-) I love the pink and green of Mamma's card (and of course the touches of gold).

And this is the notebook I altered for my grandpa (Baba). I hope he likes it too.

Cheers,

Smita

Back at last...

I am back after a sort of blog break... What have I been up to? Well, nothing much actually... Clearing up a lot of pending housework...baking for my darling son...watching TV...reading my favorite magazines...yeah, that should be about it.
Slumdog..has made waves at the Oscars, I hear! :-) and I am proud to be an Indian!! Proud of AR Rehman more than of anyone else on the SD team. May God bless him and may he continue creating class music... by the way, I love the 'Masakalli' number from Delhi 6. It is quite chirpy I think (and my caller tune for the moment).
I got back to crafting yesterday. Made a card for Mamma's 50th birthday (which was yesterday) and altered a spiral notebook for my grandpa. Both have come out very nice and to my expectation but I will post the pictures later.

And did I tell you that I finally found eyelets and a super eyelet tool. I am so happy!!! :-)

Love,
Smita

Bai - we will miss you

Lead kindly light,
Amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou, me on
Keep thou my feet, I,
Do not ask to see
The distant scene...
One step enough, for me...

I lost my grandma today. And I am going to miss her forever. A lot. I think we will all miss her.
May her soul rest in peace. She had undergone a lot of suffering over the past one year. Hope she finds peace in the other world.

The one on the right (brownish saree) is her. Pic taken on November 15 during Richa's sangeet function.

Bai, you will be in our hearts for all that you taught us, for all that you did. I think you are by far the most creative person in the family. I will treasure the sarees, dresses, shawls, dressing table sets, and all other things you embroidered for me!!

No posts from me for the next 10 days or so. I will be leaving for Kolkata tomorrow.

Love,

Smita.

If you can't find them..make them!!!

Hi all, I am a happy woman today!! :-) Why? Because I made 2 cards and I am quite happy with the results. And secondly, because I have decided not to brood over the fact that all the crafty materials people the world over use for their cards are not available here! I think I will stick to my resolution of trying out at least 2 new techniques a month and make whatever is possible with the material available to me. :-) And I am moving in the right direction... I have tried quite a few techniques this month - the explosion box, a brand new water coloring technique, the dahlia fold flowers, the votive holder and ribbon blossom (both in this post)! Yay!!! I have every reason to be happy, don't I? :-)

About today's cards...
The first card is for Laura's sketch # 18. I don't know if it matches the sketch exactly but I have based it on that. I have used a ribbon blossom (tutorial on SCS by Pam Basset). Of course, mine doesn't look half as nice because 1) I have used less ribbon 2) I should have used organza ribbons.
I don't know whom this card is for. I want to send it to an ex-colleague and very good friend (her birthday is long past) but I don't think it can go by courier :-(.

The second card is votive holder. I got the tutorial through Sheetloads Shortcuts. Again, here I think I should have used thicker cardstock. What do you think? This one is again for Vineet. I don't know how many Valentine's Day cards I am going to give him this year ;-))) I think I will need to give one every 3 days in Feb. :D

I used the Mojo Monday sketch. Not really a good attempt, but I have been wanting to take part in the challenge for a while, so I will submit it anyway. They have a right to kick me off ;-))

By the way, I have used a playing card (not a fancy embellishment) here. My husband's very fond of playing cards and his current favorite pastime is playing 'Poker' on Facebook :D...

The king of my heart...

Cheers,
Smita.