March 2011

Alter Art, Altered Doorhanger, Altered Wall hanging, Friendship cards, Love messages ~ cards, Recyling, Reuse, Reduce., Trash to Treasure

Teddy Love ~ Wall hanging.

March 29, 2011March 30, 2011 naush

Hello Ladies. And how have we been today? Well, I think by now, most regions of the world have gotten a glimpse of spring already, isnt it ? Well, going by how and whats going on with the world climate these days, just enjoy the Spring as best. Picnics, bbqs and lots of outdoorish stuff. In this part of the world, we are dreading summer which is already knocking on our doors.

Anyways, enough of the weather report !! So gladly, this will be the last project of the Trash to Wall hanging series for this month. This little wall hanging was made with a distressed young friend in mind. Very simple message about sharing some affection and assurance to someone. The little lad with the teddy is a digi stamp, while there is a fabric teddy also, paper pieced next to the swing. 3 pretty green flowers with 3 brads, and 3 polka dotted ribbons embellish the project. The base is pale pink DP, embossed with tiny flowers. The sentiment is also digi stamp.

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And now, lets see, where this little plaque or wallhanging is going to compete in :

Crafts and Me – anything goes

Creative Card Crew – for a child

For Fun Challenges – 3E, C10 – flowers plus sentiment

Freshly Brewed – 5E, SIO – 2 or more embellishments

Paper Pretties – SIO -Spring

Crafty Creations – in stitches (the teddy and the balloon)

Scrapbook Sisters – anything goes

Colour Create – 2W, 1E – Pastels

Crafty Purple Frog – 2W, SIO – 2nd W -Green

Delightful Challenges – 1E, SIO – Pastels and Ribbons

Do You Stack Up? – 3E, SIO – Sparkles and bling bling

Little Miss Muffet Challenges – 2W, 1E, SIO – 2nd W -Brads, Gems or Pearls

Meljens Designs – SIO – Punches

Paper Crafting Journey – 2W, 1E – 2nd W – Use a Digi – Optional Up In The Air Theme

Paper Play – 2E – Distressing

The Rubber Cafe – SIO – Embossing

Southern Girls – 2W, 1E – Add An Animal

Stamp Insanity – SIO – Punch It Out

Alphabet Challenge – 1E, JFF – “U” is for anything that goes Up in the air (balloon in teddy’s hands)

Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days Challenge – 2W, 2E, SIO, must use a digi – back to nature

Card Makin’ Mamas – 2W, 2E – animals

Delicious Doodles – 3E, SIO – floral fantasy/loads of flowers

Fabulous Friday – reuse or repurpose things you already have around the house

Fairy Fun Fridays – 2W, SIO – Spring-themed

Fairy Knoll – 2E, SIO – happy!

Fairy Tale – 2W, 2E – green & pink

Guylou’s Inimitability – 2W, 1E, SIO – dots

Mami Doodles – 2W, SIO, JFF – celebrate Spring

Phindy’s Place – 3E, SIO – all about animals

Sew Many Cards – SIO – Spring fling

Simply Create – 2W – do it yourself

Stamp Something – something Spring

Stampin With The Dragon – 2W – bring on Spring

Tellen’s Place – 1E, SIO – texture

Totally Papercrafts – cuddly & cute

Wags ‘n Whiskers – 2W, SIO – Spring

A Gem of a Challenge – 2W – 2nd W -Anything But Square

Crafty Calendar – M, 1E – Love

Crafty Emma – Die Cut Crazy

Little Claire’s – 2W, 3E, SIO – 2nd W – Pink & Green

Our Daily Bread Designs – 1E, SIO – Frame It

Wee memories – Anything Goes

Crazy Challenge – 2E – Sweet Teens

Creative Craft Friends – 2W – Spring

Make it Monday – Anything goes

Ooh La La Creations – 2W, SIO – Mother’s Day/Special Friend

Paper Playtime – 2W – Anything Goes

Stamp with Fun – Spring

Stamps R Us – 2W, 2E – Spring

Creative Inspirations Paint – 1E – Flowers

Pile It On – Cute

Sparkles Forum – 2W – Springtime

Stampin’ Sisters in Christ – Paper Piecing

Clear It Out! – 2W – Flowers, Flowers & more Flowers

Digital Tuesday – include a digital element – For the Kids

Everybody-Art-Challenge – Brown & Pink

Top Tip Tuesday – 3E – Nature Inspired

Try It On Tuesday – Alter it – Re-vamp a Frame

Thank you for visiting me. I hope you enjoyed my little creation and my little blog home. Please feel free to pop over again. Good bye 🙂

Alter Art, Altered Doorhanger, Altered Wall hanging, Recyling, Reuse, Reduce., Trash to Treasure

Disturbed Wall Hanging !

March 29, 2011March 29, 2011 naush

Wacky title for a post, eh ? But dont worry, its still me and its still, yet another wall hanging from the Trash to Wallhanging series. Yes, there are many more coming up 🙂

The sentiment is a funny and serious one at the same time, so I focused on the sentiment alone. I wanted to give it a male look thus I have not added any embellishments. The DIGI stamp image is enhanced by the fabulous textures of both the handmade papers which are embossed. Have used a twine to tie up giving a very rough look.

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These are the challenges this wall hanging enters.

Tuesday Throwdown – Anything But A Card

Crafts and Me – anything goes

Scrapbook Sisters – anything goes

Creative Card Crew – no stamps

Sisterhood of Crafters – 2W, 3E – masculine

Stampavie and More – JFF – masculine

Meljens Designs – SIO – Punches

The Rubber Cafe – SIO – Embossing

Stamp Insanity – SIO – Punch It Out

Fabulous Friday – reuse or repurpose things you already have around the house

Simply Create – 2W – do it yourself

Tellen’s Place – 1E, SIO – texture

Off the Wall Craftiness – 3E, SIO – picture/colour inspiration*

Pals Paper Arts – Embossing

The Rubber Cafe – SIO – Embossing

Crafty Purple Frog – 2W, SIO – 2nd W -Green

Paper Play – 2E – Distressing

Stampin’ B’s – JFF – Masculine Card

Stamp Man – 2W, 1E/craft type – anything Tim

A Gem of a Challenge – 2W – 2nd W -Anything But Square

Our Daily Bread Designs – 1E, SIO – Frame It

Wee memories – Anything Goes

Gingerloft – 2W – Die Cuts or Punches

Cards For Men – 2W, must be masculine – Embossing

Make it Monday – Anything goes

Paper Playtime – 2W – Anything Goes

The Outlawz – Sentiment – favourite image, colour or sentiment

There She Goes – No markers to be used

Woodware USA – 2E – clean and simple

linkingpartybadge copy

Alrightio ladies. Thats all for today. I hope you liked what you saw and perhaps even got alittle inspiration from my petite creation. Do come back again. Till then. Goodbye.

Altered Wall hanging, Makeovers, Recyling, Reuse, Reduce., Trash to Treasure

Ms Fashionista ~ Wall hanging.

March 23, 2011March 26, 2011 naush

I’m going to turn 40 this July but I am still a real sucker for anything girly, swirly, flowery, blingy and just plainly “pink”. I know, by now, I should start telling myself to grow up and grow up old gracefully but nah, I think, I wanna hang onto this very flirty bright colored feeling. Its so cheerful and probably comes naturally to women anyways.

This wall hanging is also a part of the Trash to Wall hanging series. I know your wondering, how many more have I stamped out !! Answer : MANY. lol To get the full story of what the base of this frame is and how I procured it. Please visit here.

This plaque/wall hanging carries true spring colors ! Aquamarine base, green, pink,and yellow colors. The dress is a glorious digi stamp !! Oh my !! When will I ever be able to fit into something like that ?? Ah Like Never !!!! 😦 The three fabric purses are one of my favorites too with the tiny flower brads embellished over them. I have had this tiger print ribbon stacked somewhere in the draw for like forever and never created such a bold card/creation which called for it. I think, its looking awesome against the blue backdrop. You would think, so many colors just dont fit together in the color wheel and yet somehow, when you piece them, they just tie in beautifully.

One thing I realized is that I have totally gone addicted to destressing any and all my projects. Its fun, it leaves a lovely look and feel to the projects and I think, It also helps kill the empty look of a border.

Incase you havent noticed, there is this really cute butterfly charm tied to the ribbon. Ofcourse the highlight is the sentiment. Such a dashing and bold statement. Love it completely.

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Here are the challenges, I am entering this wall hanging for :

Crafts and Me – anything goes

Creative Belli – 2W – “C” embellishments {Butterfly charm}

Flutterby Wednesdays – 1E, must include butterfly, fairy or angel – open

For Fun Challenges – 3E, C10, JFF – flowers plus sentiment

Freshly Brewed – 5E, SIO – 2 or more embellishments

Claudia & Co – 2W, 1E – Use at least three – Butter/Yellow, Rose/Pale Red, Pale Green, Lavender.

Little Red Wagon – butterflies

Simon Says Stamp – Mother’s Day/girlie

High Hopes Stamps – 2W, SIO – Use Fabric

My Time To Craft – C3, JFF – Ladies Day

Paper Take Weekly – It’s a Mom thing, or Just Be Girly

Tuesday Throwdown – Anything But A Card

Creative Craft Friends – 2W – Spring

Die Cut Dreams – 2W – Mother’s Day or Special Friend

Kaboodle Doodles – 1E, C10 – Yellow, Blue, Pink and Green

Tuesday Taggers ~ 1 or 3 inches (3inches is the die of the dress)

http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/

Karens Doodles – 1E, SIO – 1 ribbon, 2 papers, 3 brads/gems

Make it Monday – Anything goes

Ooh La La Creations – 2W, SIO – Mother’s Day/Special Friend

Shabby Tea Room – 2W – Bingo*

Brads, flowers, ribbon

Card Cupids – Spring Inspired

Crafty Pad – SIO – Use a Digi

Sentimental Sundays – must include a Sentiment – Sentimtent as main focus

Craft Your Days Away – 2W – For Mom or a Special Lady

Little Claire’s – 2W, 3E, SIO – Pink & Green

Our Creative Corner – Don’t Throw That Away

Secret Crafter – Anything But a Card

Sugar Creek Hollow – 3E, SIO – Anything Goes

Delicious Doodles – 3E, SIO – dimensional project

Fairy Tale – 2W, 2E – green & pink

Fashionista Friday – aquamarine

Paper Cutz – your choice

Stamp Man – 2W, 1E/craft type – Mother’s Day/floral

The Outlawz Copic Challenge –1E, must use Copic/Promarkers – Mother’s Day / Spring

AiFactory – 1E, SIO – Things with Wings

Crafty Purple Frog – 2W, SIO – Green

Delightful Challenges – 1E, SIO – Show us some Green

Paper Crafting Journey – 2W, 1E – Use a Digi – Optional Up In The Air Theme

Pixie Dust Studio – SIO – Go Green

Southern Girls – 2W, 1E – 2nd W – add an animal

Stamping Vacation – M – Nestabilities – runs till April 17th

Stamping Vacation ~ Dress Up.

Wild Orchid ~ Diecuts

Simply Create Alford candy – using below colors.

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Thats it for now. For all of you, who are going to be graced by the beautiful and colorful, spring. Have a fantastic time enjoying this precious time. And for those of you who are still stuck in the snow, like my cousins in Canada, please remember to still be thankful that your blessed with snow and not a tsunami. Please keep the people of Japan in your prayers and lets hope for the best for them.

A W A R D S

Heartfelt awards.

March 22, 2011March 22, 2011 naush

Yesterday was an exceptionally rewarding day. One of those days that rarely happens 🙂

Sometimes, we stay in the same neighbourhood, same office, travel in the same bus, train etc, studied in the same school, college, institude etc … and still did not feel that need/spark to start off a conversation or to carry it forward to friendship. Yet this www world has bought so many of us ladies, living continents apart, on the same platform, namely creativity and strangely, we are good friends with those whom we have never met and in some cases, dont even know, how they look !!!

I am known in my family and my extended family to be a very straight forward, candid and caring person. I dont mince words but I put them across firmly but politely. When I join Facebook causes or leave heartfelt comments on the issues that I have joined on facebook, I get, on an average 3-4 people wanting to be friends {~ mostly women}. Unfortunetly since I dont know many of them and feel, I may not be able to trust them and my privacy might be tampered with, I decline their request. But when I think about it, I feel, its so strange, that here are some people who are impressed and agree with what I have to say, without having met me, known my background, or know my habbits or vices and yet wish to trust me ~ becoz of that one thing that binds us together :~ OUR BELIEFS ~ OUR INTERESTS ~ OUR POINTS OF VIEW !! Had I not kept most of my family pictures in my Facebook profile, surely I would be happy to open doors and open arms to these friends, however please excuse me for now. This has been worrying me for sometime now, so I am glad, I have said it and got it out of my system.

Having said that, yesterday was a beautiful day, becoz, a very special friend whom I know very briefly personally but who has touched all our hearts with her exceptional talent, has graced me with a special award. She is my friend, Nikki from Melonheadz. If you havent visited her blog, you have been missing something, big time ! She has been on the blog field for just 9 weeks and her page views are shooting off the ceiling ! She is compassionate and her creativity touches lives as she doodles her thoughts on paper (and software). Here is that lovely award from that lovely friend . What can I say ??? Thank you Nikki. I am humbled.

Another reason for my delight is that I was given the honary award at Digi’s with Attitude for one of my creation.

Another pleasent surprise came from Happileigh’s scrappin challenge, where I came second and won some of her gorgeous stamps.

As if that was not enough, Dawn from Grafico forwarded this award to me !!! Talk about having one of those days when everyone is super polite to you, and everything happens perfectly for you !!! ( Almost never happens to me ~ So I was in the different world altogether ~ heck, I didnt even bother to get mad at Buddy (my oldest) when he dropped all of pepper’s nuggets in water ! (pepper ~ my tabby)

Thank you very much Dawn for this award. I am so glad you chose me and so delighted to receive it.

Alright and now here is the difficult part, where I have to tell some 7 things about myself .. . . .. .. .. .. This is virtually impossible, I mean, there are so many things about oneself, where does one start ?????

There are atleast a dozen odd things I’d like to change about myself .. should I start there ??? Oh no .. dont worry, I’ll keep that for my therapist !! lol.

I’ll tell you about some of the nice and “informative” things about me 🙂

1) I grew up in Kuwait during the 7o’s and 80’s and think, it was not the nicest place to grow up in those days.

2) I would spend hours reading or creating portraits, drawings and coloring, as a child ~ Only to be discouraged severely for drawing all the time !!

3) I spend 3 years studying science in college but my career has been purely in the airline and hotel industry.

4) Dubai has been home for the last 19 years, where I met my husband, married and have been raising our boys. It is only becoz of his encouragement that I reunited with my passion for crafting after marriage !

5) I can live for years on sandwiches and coffee ! I am petrified of cockroaches. Even before I was driving cars ~ I was riding motorcycles in the busy streets and highways of Bombay !

6) I am a perfectionist and very organized, which can be a pain for colleagues who are very unorganized and careless in his work attitude.

7) I am sensitive and very faithful to each one of my friends so that thru out School and college, I’ve had only handful of good friends, whom I am still close to and in touch with thanks to Facebook.

OK so I cheated, placing 3 different things in one line !! Can you guess which number is that ?? NO, NO, No prize for the right answer 🙂

So there, I have shared something about me, now the rules of this award state that I need :

1. Thank the person who sent you this blog.

2. List 7 things about yourself (is that even possible ?)
3. Send this to 15 bloggers

I have a few friends and some friends whom I visit often, whom, I think, have an amazing attitude towards life and an even more fantastic ability at creating art works. Here they are :

Nikki~ melonheadzillustrating.wordpress.com
Marion ~ cardsbymarione.blogspot.com
Marsha ~ stampingdownsouth.blogspot.com
Linda ~ thefunkiejunkie.blogspot.com
Linda ~ lindysmaidwidluv.blogspot.com
Anne ~ anniebeescraftroom.blogspot.com/
Michelle ~ michelle-pinkpaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Amber ~ amberscraftsandstuff.com
Peggysuez ~ http://rosesbymywindow.blogspot.com/
Regan ~ http://charmedstamping.blogspot.com/
Fallen ~ http://fallanstechnicolordreams.blogspot.com/
Tricia ~ http://wattenburgerfam.blogspot.com/
Kim ~http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.com/2010/02/about-girl.html
Kelly ~ creativelyinked.blogspot.com
Rina Damay ~ handmadebyrina.blogspot.com/

Congratulations ladies. You are all so well deserved of this award.

Challenges, Friendship cards, Inspirational card

God’s Plan.

March 20, 2011March 21, 2011 naush

Hello ladies, Am so delighted that my recycled projects are being so appreciated. I feel a larger sense of accomplishment when one of those projects is completed and even more happier, when they are appreciated. Thank you so much ladies.

I havent really been inspired enough to make cards past couple of weeks. But then, I just wished to use this sentiment for a card and found some similar sketches which it could fit. And now its here !

I have used yellow, 3 shades of purple, cream and a dot of green brads. One element that I used after ages is the skeletal leaves. Love those leaves. Had picked them up in my trip to Malaysia, and oh btw, that is one huge haven for crafters !!

This is a male oriented card again ~the color, the design, elements and embellishments. Scallops galore, love the look of the purple cardstock after being embossed {LOVE swirls}, the black and white colored ribbon & bow, was used to add alittle contrast to the card. The key and the lock are such cute charms, arent they ? The sentiment is a digi stamp.

This is one sentiment, very close to my heart. God has a plan for each one of us. But it is up to us to reach out and fulfill it. Unfortunetly, most of us, sit back and wait for things to “happen”. Does’nt work like that, does it now? Even if you want to win a lottery, you have to make that effort of going out to buy the ticket, isnt it ?

I am certain, this card will lift the spirits of the person receiving it. I know, coz I am a sucker for such senti cards 😉

Well girls, here are the images :

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Here are the challenges this card enters :

Sketch :

Mojo Monday

Cards and things challenge

Craft your passion

Crafty Cardmakers (2W, 3E) – Fabric {does ribbon count ?}

Critter Sketch – Monochromatic

Stamp-N-Doodle – SIO – at least 2 things starting with “G” ~ green and God !

There’s Magic in the Air – SIO – monochromatic

Going Grey With Scrap-Creations – 2E – Anything Goes

My Time To Craft – C3, JFF – Keys

Paper Take Weekly – 3 of Something ~ 3 brads./ 3 shades of purple.

Bling It On – M, 3E, C10, posted on the 1st – Anything goes with an added extra or a charm

Creatalicious Challenges – M, posted on the 15th – Two tone colours

Desert Island Crafters – 2W, choose 3; Black & White, Unusual Sentiment , Charms, No images

My Grafico – M, posted on the 1st – anything goes

ABC Challenge – C5 -Q is for quote

Color Throwdown – color*

Paper Pretties – SIO – masculine

Stampin’ Royalty – 3C – dry embossing

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge – 1E, SIO – Punches or Die Cuts

Charisma Cardz – 3E – Use Die Cuts

Digi Doodle Shop’s Best – SIO – Anything Goes

Do You Stack Up? – 3E, SIO – Add a Bow

Paper Play – 2E – Embossing

The Rubber Cafe – SIO – Monochromatic Colour

Shelly’s Images – SIO – Show us What you Got

Stamp Insanity – SIO – Gold or Metalic

Cardmadfairy’s Digi Days Challenge – 2W, 2E, SIO, must use a digi – back to nature

Simply Create – 2W – monochromatic

Really Reasonable Ribbon – 2W, must include ribbon –

Sugar Creek Hollow – 3E, SIO – Anything Goes

Creative Cowgirls – 2W, 2E – Monochromatic

Crafty Pad – SIO – Use a Digi

One Stitch At A Time – Something for the Boys

Paper Sundaes – 3E, C10 – Embossing

Sentimental Sundays – must include a Sentiment – Sentimtent as main focus

Incy wincy challenge ~ Embossing

Well thats it for now. Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you liked what you saw and hope you will visit again.

A warm goodbye from sunny Dubai 🙂

Alter Art, Altered Wall hanging, Challenges, Friendship cards, Love messages ~ cards, Mother, Recyling, Reuse, Reduce., Trash to Treasure

Right here for you.. .. .. .. wall hanging

March 20, 2011March 20, 2011 naush

This too, is from the trash to wall hanging series. It is the white board which was found dumped on the construction site. You may have to read my post, ” Mother ~ Wall hanging” , to get the full story on it. In short, it is recycled sheets that I have dressed up.

A very simple idea and concept is used. Have always liked the idea of using a fish bowl, although I dont approve of an animals or birds being caged or living in an aquarium 😦 ~~ Thats just not their place. Again, thats us, humans being selfish and self centered.

Such strong shades of blue and Orange are not exactly what I am comfortable with, but sometimes, when you actually work with it, somehow they look good when placed together. Both are handmade papers. The fishes are fabric. Some glitter for the bubbles, 3 brown buttons knotted with a yellow twine, a simple but comforting sentiment, which is a digi stamp. The board is held up by a satin orangish ribbon. I have made a deliberate effort at avoiding any flowery embellishments, becoz as always, I prefer the less-cluttered look. Simplicity is always more striking and attractive.

Ladies, I would really like to take a moment here, to thank you all for all those loving comments that you leave behind for me. They are so encouraging. WOULD you believe, I feel, more inspired, to try out more, to try out different, to try out my best, becoz of those heartfelt comments. Thank you ladies. It means alot.

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Here are just a few challenges, I will enter this wall hanging for :

Paper Sundaes (3E) – Keep it Simple

Crafty Cardmakers (2W, 3E) – Fabric

Incy Wincy Designs – for the boys

Make it Monday – anything goes

Ooh La La Creations (2W, SIO) – It’s a man thing

Pollycraft – SIO – Teen Cards

The Outlawz – Sentiment plus Animals

Clear It Out! – 2W – Buttons

Going Grey With Scrap-Creations – 2E – Anything Goes

Paper Take Weekly – 3 of Something {3 buttons }

Desert Island Crafters – 2W,– choose 3 ~ Not a Card!, Buttons, Unusual Sentiment (ie. not “Happy Birthday” or “Best Wishes” etc),

My Grafico – M, – anything goes

Paper Pretties – SIO – masculine

Crafty Sentiments – 1E, SIO – Animals

Digi Doodle Shop’s Best – SIO – Anything Goes

Card Makin’ Mamas – 2W, 2E – animals

Delicious Doodles – 3E, SIO – dimensional project

Paper Cutz – your choice

Totally Papercrafts – buttons

Secret Crafter – Anything But a Card

Really Reasonable Ribbon – 2W, must include ribbon –

Sugar Creek Hollow – 3E, SIO – Anything Goes

Totally Gorjuss – Button It

Our Creative Corner – Don’t Throw That Away

If the shoe fits ~ Aquamarine

One Stitch At A Time – Something for the Boys

Altered CD, Altered Photo Frame, Altered Wall hanging, Friendship cards, Recyling, Reuse, Reduce., Trash to Treasure

Recyled CD ~ Best Friend.

March 18, 2011May 17, 2013 naush

Although I had intended on keeping the next 6 posts on the Trash to Wall hanging series, I am adding this one in too, coz it is afterall a recyled CD. I have transformed many CDs as wall hangings and honestly, it really seems like a shame, having to throw them out. And as many times, as I have made them, each time brings a renewed satisfaction that someone is going to hang it on his wall and feel good about it.

Here, I have used several handmade papers in different textures. Aqua blue and olive green are a first time color combination for me. Never tried this one before. A couple of buttons and a few wooden maple tree leaves. This CD is designed with Men folks in mind. Hence I avoided florals or blingy in there. The sentiment is digi stamp from TLC.

Hope it does get appreciated.