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Pamphlet stitch mini book

I must have had a bit too much of coffee on Friday night that I stayed up way past my bedtime. And I am okay with it because I get to play with pretty paper.

I have always wanted to try my hands on Pamphlet stitch mini book and I'm glad I did. There are tons of tutorial out there but I love this one by Marcy Penner. It' simple and pretty straight forward.

I cut three sheets of patterned paper (measures at 5.5"x8") and folded in half, so that makes a 4"x5.5" book. I decorated the cover with die cuts and stickers from Maggie Holmes' collection by Crate Paper. Super love their stuff! The insides are blank as I intend to give this to a special friend. Hope she likes it.

xoxo

One more to share

As soon as I published my last post, I found this in my draft and boy, was I glad to have something crafty to share here? Absolutely!

I have used paper by Dear Lizzy and embellishments by Maggie Holmes. Who knows two different brands could work so well when combined. I kept my page fairly simple and minimal, with a cluster of embellishments on the right side of my photo. Love!

See you soon!

Back at it again

It is almost three o'clock in the morning, my kids were asleep and as I was lying down on my bed with iPad in my hand, I came to my blog (which I haven't done in a while).....clicked on my archives and read some of my old posts. All sorts of memories came flooding back and suddenly, I have the urge to write a blog post...again.

As I was reading some of my old posts, it had me digging and searching deep into my brain the reason why I started this blog in the first place. I remember how much I enjoy blogging back then, how I share some of my life changing moments here and the joy I had when people took the trouble to leave some kind words for me. And suddenly, I miss the good old times and itch to come back here again. Perhaps I should write more often and get back into the groove of a blogger. I may or may not have any grand plan for this ol' blog of mine but you'll be sure that I will come back (even if nobody reads this blog anymore). For the first time, I feel okay about it. Time to hit the sack. Happy weekend!

Hello Cutie

I love challenges but I don't participate often. So, when Mei Li Paperie came up with their May Color challenge, I knew I couldn't pass up! 

It's my first time making confetti pocket, although it took me an hour or more to hand stitched the pocket but I really enjoy doing it. 

Thanks for looking!

xoxo

Always Remember Today

While I was into the second month of my maternity leave on last April, I had a bit of time to spend on scrapbooking. And to able to create amidst the busyness of taking care of a newborn have felt liberating. I only wish I had done more.

This layout came together rather quickly and it was also the first time I used a modelling paste. I thought it would be tricky to use as it was my first time but it turns out otherwise. Not to mention it dries pretty quick too. Thanks to Yvonne for the modelling paste! She was so kind to send some for me when I mentioned to her that I don't have one. Everything on this layout (except the die cut title and wood button) are from Flea Market and Styleboard collection by Maggie Holmes. The wood button is by Dear Lizzy.

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

xoxo

Hello Annabelle!

I may be over two months late but I have a happy news to share!
We welcomed our second bundle of JOY two months ago! My birthing experience this time was much more pleasant than the first (I shall share more about it in my future post) and Annabelle is a healthy baby.

She brought so much joy to our family and I could not have asked for more. Being a mum for the second time is twice as amazing! While it may not be smooth sailing all the way but the experiences are priceless. I love my baby so much!

xoxo

True Friend

Wow! February already?! Time really does not wait! I know....I have been gone for more than a month but I did find some time to do my Project Life and finally created a layout on last weekend. It is not shown here but I framed the layout using the Ikea Ribba frame that I bought quite a while ago and it's going to be a birthday gift for a very good friend of mine. 

I have been a long time fan of Crate Paper products and you can see I mostly used their products on this layout. The Flea Market collection by Maggie Holmes has to be my top favorite! The designs and colors are just so pretty and dreamy. I resist to hoard them this time and hope to create more pretty things with them. 

Just so you know, we are expecting the arrival of our second baby this week and I may be away from my blog for a while but you can always follow me on Instagram (cindylee12). We couldn't be more excited to welcome our baby no.2 and I am so looking forward to hold her in my arms! 

Thanks for visiting and hope to see you soon! xoxo

Almost ready!

Yep, I am almost ready to share the first spread of my Project Life but I need to find the time to take pictures of them! I shared this photo on my IG feed when I kick started my first PL spread last weekend. Stay tuned!

Hello Twenty Fourteen!

Since last week I've started to clean/purge my so-called craft room/storage room and pulled out some of my favorite supplies that I can use for Project Life. I organized my supplies in a wooden box and baskets ranging from small to big. As you can see, this box hold some of my favorite embellishments, PL cards and washi tapes. I have a bigger wicker basket to keep all my 6x6 paper pads, wood veneers, metal clips, thickers and lots of stickers from various manufacturers. I also have two small metal baskets that keep all my cut files and paper scraps. 

The reason I'm being organized this time is because the reason I gave up Project Life last year was disorganized. My supplies were everywhere and it took me a while to go through my stash just for that one particular item and I felt overwhelmed. I learned from my mistake and this time I'm more prepared than I was before. Just can't wait to start Project Life soon! Are you doing Project Life this year? xoxo

My favorites of 2013: Layouts

As 2013 is coming to an end, I'm thinking to share some of my favorite layouts that I've made this year. Some of which are being featured on Crate Paper blog as well as Studio Calico. 

I don't really know the direction I am heading nor making any plans as far as scrapbooking is concern, but one thing for sure is I will work on my Project Life and trying my best to be a good mom to my kids. 2014, I am so ready for you! xoxo

♥ ♥ ♥

I've been an avid Instagram user @cindylee12 lately.....simply because it makes documenting our everyday lives so much easier. I also love how I can snap pictures with my phone in an instant and edit them at the same time. All these conveniences got me thinking of doing Project Life again. Without a clue or whatsoever, I actually started Project Life earlier this year and sorta struggled and somewhat overwhelmed with the entire process that I gave up. 

But as our 2nd baby is coming along in 2014 and the fact that Abby is growing up too fast, I realized the importance to record milestones and our family's memories in a tangible format and Project Life seemed to be the perfect fit. I feel that I am now ready to take on Project Life again! xoxo

Have A Merry Little Christmas!

Blessed Christmas to you and your family!

xoxo

Holiday Wrapping

We are only two days away from Christmas and are you done with your Christmas shopping or wrap up the presents you bought for family and friends? No? Neither do I :) I have a few more things to buy or do on my list before the Christmas day but I am proud to say that I've wrapped more than half of the presents that I'd bought (pat on the back). If you stay long enough on this blog, you would have known that I love wrapping as much as I love cardmaking/scrapbooking. And so I have a few Christmas wrapping to share today and I hope it gives you some idea on your last minute wrapping. Let's get on to it!

I am a big fan of kraft paper (a really really big fan!).....and the fact that it comes in plain gives me more room to explore my creativity. So I thought I'd share six fun ways to decorate them.

Idea #1: Washi tape and lace works well to create a more feminine look to the otherwise plain brown paper.

Idea #2: Tie with bakers twine and finish it off with a wool/yarn pom pom. 

Idea #3: Create a bow with glitter tape and glue some fake berries and leaves in the middle of the bow.

Idea #4: Make your own glittered star. Cut out a star from a template, paint the entire surface with glue mix with water (ratio: three parts of glue with one part of water), sprinkle glitter on it until the entire surface is covered with glitter. Let the glue dry before tapping off the excess. 

Idea #5: Tie with pom pom ribbons

Idea #6: Create a star (or any shape your heart desires) shape with lacing braid. 

I hope you are inspired to create that one-of-a-kind packaging for your family and friends. xoxo

12.12.13

Today I celebrate my 32nd birthday and feeling really blessed to have family and friends remembering it. When I was younger, I would get very excited on my birthday because it was a big deal to me back then. But as I grow older and especially after being a mom, birthday is no longer a big deal anymore. In fact, my birthday is the day where my mom had suffered and gone through tremendous pain to bring me into this world. So today should not only about me but instead remembering the great love that my mom had for me. I love you mom! xoxo

Blog or no blog? Blog that is!

Do people still read blog these days? The blogging community of today is so much different from back when I first started. Back then there were no Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter nor Instagram and blogs are the only places people seek for inspiration. Sadly, the scene had changed when social media sprouted in the recent years and the blogging community took a plunge. One can be very active in Pinterest or Instragram but hardly ever update her post....and that's me.

I'm such a big fan of Pinterest and with just a few clicks on the mouse, I can find anything and everything under one roof. And with Instagram/Facebook, I am immediately connected with friends all over the world. And so the time spend on my blog or on other blogger's blog has becoming lesser and lesser. I felt guilty whenever someone leaves me a comment and I haven't done back the same to them. I am deliberating almost everyday if I should continue blogging. Is it worth my time at all? It took me a long time to figure out the future of this blog or the direction it's heading and I've finally had it figure out, only yesterday.

Decision has been made and I've decided to continue to blog for as long as possible. It may not be all about cardmaking/scrapbooking anymore as I want this blog to be as personal as it can be. I hope to be close to my reader (if any) and make them feel as if they know me in real life. So expect to see me in the blogging world for many years to come :)

If you are still reading this, thanks for making it this far! It feels like something heavy is lifted off my chest and it makes me happy! xoxo

Source unknown

Working towards a better cook at home.....

I have been hit by the cooking lately and if you are following me on Instagram, you would have noticed that my feed is currently all about food (besides Abby of course).

The reason I am being active in the kitchen is because my MIL injured her knee a while back and cooking is an impossible task for her right now. But she's doing fine and recuperating at home while I temporary took over the kitchen. It may seem like a daunting task, juggling between work and rushing home to cook every day, even on weekends. I used to cook occasionally but never on a daily basis so I surprised myself when I say I enjoy it.Yep, I really do :)

xoxo

CARDS May 2013 issue

Hello! It's been a while since I've shared my published cards here and honestly I've almost forgotten about it. I have not been very active in making cards as I used to be and I hope one day I shall get back into the groove. So right now I only have these to share which some of you might have already seen it before I removed it from the blog.

You may not know but these cards had gone through some issues before they were published. Originally these cards were accepted for the Cards January issue but somehow they weren't collected from the post office. I had a shock when Paige emailed to tell me that my cards were never arrive in their office. Luckily I sent them with a tracking number and a quick check showed that a notice was already left in their office and obviously no one has pick them up. Then I sent Paige an email with the tracking status and true enough they found the notice in their office. I was a bit upset that my cards were left in the post office for months and that I already missed the publication. However, Paige was apologetic and was kind enough to publish my cards in their May 2013 issue.