I’m obsessed with chocolate trays!

    He is Risen! Happy Easter!! May the glory and promise of Easter bring peace, ,joy and happiness to you all.

    Early this year, my BIL was here from Canada with a variety of chocolates and each time we finished a box, I used to stare at a chocolate tray and think of ways I could put them to use and save the box with the tray. Seeing the stack I’ve collected, my daughter told me that I’m obsessed with chocolate trays. Perhaps she’s right. HERE’S my first project using the Lindt chocolate tray for the flower. Now, can you figure out which tray I used to make this top fold card?

    After coloring the sky with soft pastel, I added the cross cut out from the Brandy Beans tray. I used 3D foam tape to fill in the hollow and adhere it. The tulips are cut out from a 1cm small punch from green and mauve paper then had a tedious job of joining them both together.(I know I could have used white and colored. But, I wanted to do it this way. That’s me.) I shaped the tulips and leaves for dimension. As for the grass, it’s recycled again. See the paper wasted after punching a fern…

    This wasted paper and a few punched ferns were used as grass, in three layers using bits of 3D foam. The sentiment is printed and a strip of the same mauve paper was glued on the lowermost part of the inner card. The front was cut shorter to reveal the same.

Here’s another card which I’d made before the one you just saw.

    I’d liked this circular sentiment freebie from HERE and printed the 8 cards I had to send to family. I added the cross etc. but it looked quite blank. So, my critic (my husband) suggested I add color to it as in the color scheme above. My daughter did the coloring with soft pastels and as she wasn’t happy with it, she tried different color schemes. Overall, we weren’t happy with the result, but as time was running short we had to send them off. It’s a pity I came up with the first simple card much later. Don’t you think it’s better?

I’m entering this card into the following challenges:

Cards for men - Easter

Papercraft Star- Recycle

Try it on Tuesday - Up-cycling

Creative Card Crew - Recycled

Crafty Chicks - Easter

Moving Along With The Times - Recycle

PaperPlay Challenges - Easter

Reduce, reuse, recycle to save the world & save our lives!!!

Hi!   
    Today, April 22, is Earth Day. A day set aside to appreciate nature and promote environmental awareness by going green. We, as crafters, can go green by following the 3 R’s and making our own embellishments. Here’s my flower pot-shaped card made using nature’s gifts and recycled items.

    The flower pot is recycled cardstock from my kids' old project, onto which I glued strips of corrugated cardboard from packaging and the sliding card, recycled cardboard from a syringe box. To decorate the pot, the embellishments are nature’s gifts- sand and seashells. The flowers are stems of the coconut and leaves cut from the loose bark of the coconut tree. Both were painted with acrylics and adhered with the glue gun. The sentiment is handwritten. I also added a stand behind the pot to make it stand. Sorry, forgot to picture the back of the card.

    As I was in a hurry to send this card (hand delivery), I did not make a box-shaped envelope, but made this bag.

    It was a large bag, made smaller to fit the card in. It was painted freehand with green (because it was a green card) acrylics (pearl and regular), and jute string was added for the handles.

    I sent this card to my kids' former headmistress, against my husband’s wishes, as it was recycled. However, she very much appreciated it and called back on her birthday itself to thank me for it. For those of you not familiar with the tropical coconut tree parts, here are some images to show the parts I used.

This is a mature coconut with the stem on top; once pulled out, it looks like a flower on the inner side.

This image shows the loose bark husk that lies beneath the palm leaves.

I'm entering this project into the following challenges:

Papercraft Star - Recycle

Try it on Tuesday - Up-cycling
Creative Card Crew - Recycle
Moving Along With The Times - Recycle

Love Link Up Party

      I love Kristal Andrew's blog (Getting Cricky with K Andrew) Although, I've not met Kristal in person, her posts speak volumes about her & tell you she has a heart of  gold. She comes up with a lot of fun things for her blogging friends including giveaway's & her latest is the "Love Link Up Party" Check out her blog, become her follower, post her blinkie on your blog, join the party & don't forget to tell her 'Smiley Sunshine Leanne' sent you. She also has a linky  code for you. I've added it HERE.

My First Guest Designer Post

    I am very much delighted about my first guest designer post at Quirky Crafts offered on being the challenge winner. Thanks Caro and the entire designer team for this opportunity. This fortnight the challenge is for an Easter/Spring creation using sparkle and a punch. Digital Delights, the sponsor this fortnight, has generously provided the designer team with six digital images including 2 sentiments to choose from. The moment I saw the beautiful Easter dumpling image, I loved her and here she is. Isn’t she cute?

I made an egg shaped card. The background was colored on card stock and the Easter Dumpling image was printed and colored on art paper using soft pastels. Fixative spray is a requirement for this technique which gives it a glossy finish. The dumpling shows some texture as it was done on art paper. Punches were used for flowers, butterflies & bird & shaped for dimension. Glitter was used on ribbons, banner, butterflies (not visible) & flower centres. The cutie dumpling was cut and adhered with foam tape. The sentiment is the Easter scroll also from Digital Delights. The card was pictured against a black background not glued as it seems like it. 

Here’s another image to show the dimension.

    The colouring is actually done by my 16 yr old daughter Alisha, who has mastered the technique of using soft pastels and really enjoys it. Presently, her 'O' level/GCSE mock exams are on, but she obliged during her study break as she knows colouring is not my thing. She is already making plans for her vacation in June after her one month long final 'O' level exams. One of her plans is to do some artwork so, she’s asked me to download any pretty digi images I find for her. Do leave her some comments it may help motivate her further. She will most likely read them after she's through with the mocks this weekend.
    Besides entering it into Kristal’s Inspired heart challenge here,

I’m entering this card into the following challenges:

http://digitaltuesdaychallenge.blogspot.com - Easter Parade

http://craftsandmechallenges.blogspot.com - Glitter

http://www.4craftychicks.blogspot.com - Inspiration pic.

http://www.amberscraftsandstuff.com - New technique

http://aifactorychallenges.blogspot.com - Easter

http://craftypurplefrogchallenges.blogspot.com - Anything but a Square

http://craftuscrazy.blogspot.com - Easter

http://www.sewmanychallenges.com - Color Inspiration

http:fairyknoll.blogspot.com - Eggs

http://www.makeitcolourful.com - Coloring Skies

http://allsortschallenge.blogspot.com - Anything but a Square

http://phindysplacechallenge.blogspot.com – Easter

http://sparklesforumchallenges.blogspot.com – Easter

http://www.stampsruschallenges.blogspot.com – Easter

http://ooh-la-la-creationschallenges.blogspot.com – Easter

http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com - Easter

http://fussyandfancychallenge.blogspot.com - Card for a child

http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.com - Raise a Smile

http://creativeinspirationschallenge.blogspot.com - Easter

http://ellephantasticchallenges.blogspot.com - Anything but Square

    My apologies for the delay in posting this card as I had problems with the internet connection again!!! My sincere apologies also go out to my 32 friends (see this post) who I haven’t yet visited for the same reason. I will surely drop by your blogs ASAP.

I've been blessed & An invitation

Hi!

      At last here’s the post that was delayed so long as I kept putting it off for another day.  

      Although, I’m an Aquarian, I considered Feb. to be an unlucky month as there have been many deaths in the family that month including that of my sister. Also, my major health problems began in Feb. However, this Feb I was blessed through blogging.

To start with, I have so many new friends, some with who the friendship has grown.  

I was featured on ggcaa blog HERE  & invited to be a contributor.

I won a challenge at Quirky Crafts & was offered the post of a Guest Designer HERE

I won two blog giveaways (the only way for me to get crafting goodies as none are available here)

I was honored with…

The ‘Stylish Blogger Award’ by Michelle Gissel 

The ‘Liebster Blog Award’ by Sally Bownes  

The ‘Versatile Blogger Award’ by Susan Zuzarte and Helen Heng Liu

was tagged to play ‘The Rule of Fours’ by Julie Elak 

                                            

It feels good to receive recognition from fellow crafters.

Thanks Michelle, Sally, Susan, Helen & Julie, for remembering me and my apologies for taking so long to pass this on…Better late, than never 

Who do I pass this on to now??? So many blogging friends!!!!! Well

Here’s my ‘Stylish Blogger Award’ from Michelle 

To receive this award the rules to be followed are:

Step 1 - Make a post linking back to the person who gave you the award.

Step 2 - Share 8 random things about you.

Step 3 – Award 8 recently discovered bloggers with this award.

Step 4 – Contact these bloggers and tell them they have won the award.

So, the 8 things about me are ...
1. I’m a last minute crafter. (Planning never works out and things seem to turn out much better at the last minute)

2. I can never start and finish one project at a time.  I start two or more and end up completing the last first. (Umm… I  have started three)

3. What I don’t enjoy much about blogging is writing the posts.

4. I became an aunt at the age of eleven. (I got bugged with all who teased me ‘auntie’ then)

5. I also met my husband the first time when I was eleven. LOL. (Luckily before I became an aunt)  

6. After graduation, I worked as an ICCU nurse for only five years, then, got married & been home for 17yrs.

7. I suffer from painful varicose veins. (One of the reason’s why I can’t get back to my career. I miss it a lot.)  

8. I wouldn’t mind changing my profession to any other which is medical related or ??? But never ever to that of a teacher.

The 8 recently discovered bloggers are:
(1) Sally  http://sallysbitz.blogspot.com/

(2) Tammy http://tamminniesdesigns.blogspot.com/

(3) Monica http://www.giddygreetings.com/

(4) Brenda http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com/

(5) Dr. Sonia http://cardsandschoolprojects.blogspot.com/

P.S. Who said only ladies craft? Kids & men craft too!! Do visit the three below. You’ll surely be impressed.

(6) Tristan (8 yr old) http://tristans-time-4-craftin.blogspot.com

(7) Elena (12 yr old)  http://elenascraftycorner.blogspot.com/

(8) Kevin http://mccraftys-cards.blogspot.com/

.......................................................................................................

Here’s my ‘Liebster Blog Award’ from Sally

In accepting this award I have to agree to the following conditions:

1) Create a post on your blog and post the award.

2) Link back to the person who gave you the award and say if you accept.

3) Choose 3-5 of your favorite blogs to tag, link these in your post too and tell the lucky people they have won the award.

As the aim of this award is to bring unknown good blogs to light, please don't tag somebody with 3000 followers.

I have picked 5 bloggers for this award. They are :

(1) Susan http://zuzart.blogspot.com/

(2) Kristel http://www.gettingcricky.com/

(3) Amy http://www.scrappingmommy.com/ 

(4) Lori http://mycomfortcottage.blogspot.com/

(5) Helen http://helenmade.blogspot.com/

.......................................................................................................

Here’s my ‘Versatile Blogger Award’ from Susan & Helen 

 The story goes that this blog award has the purpose of bringing to light bloggers who are creative, make wonderful creations, but have less than 300 followers. And the rules ask that you...

1. Thank the person who sent you this award.                                    2. List 7 things about yourself.                                                             3. Send this to 15 bloggers

A few additional facts to the 8  I already shared above.

1 . I cannot do any work craft or cook unless the place is neat & tidy.    2. I have the habit of twisting & twirling some strands of my hair with the index finger of my left hand especially when I’m concentrating.

3. If I laugh a lot, I begin to cry (tears just keep rolling down my cheeks)

4. I feel woozy even with an ounce of sweet wine

5. I like to sing. I sing altos in the church choir.                                                                                        

As the name of the award goes, here are 15 ‘versatile’ bloggers...

(1) Julie  http://lastminutecrafter.blogspot.com/

(2) Michelle  http://michelle-pinkpaperparadise.blogspot.com/

(3) Amy Jo  http://lv2scrapandfibrofacts.blogspot.com/

(4) Erum  http://vibgyorkrafts.blogspot.com/

(5) Suganthi  http://papercraftss.blogspot.com/

(6) Tammy  http://somewhereunderthesune.blogspot.com/

(7) Barbara http://whimcees.blogspot.com

(8) Barbara  http://u-inspire-me.blogspot.com/

(9) Yvonne http://paperflourish.blogspot.com/

(10) Linda  http://pinksandlilacs.blogspot.com

(11) Mrs.A  http://itsanalienlife.blogspot.com/

(12) Liz  http://buttonsforbrains.blogspot.com/

(13) Leah Ann  http://thehoosierstamperleahanngast.blogspot.com/

(14) Doreen  http://doreensdream.blogspot.com/

(15) Terri  http://triesmakingcards.blogspot.com/

.......................................................................................................

Finally, here’s the List of Fours, with which I was tagged by Julie to play along

4 Shows you watch

( I seldom watch telly, but at the same time never miss the following if they're on)

American Idol

Mr.Bean

Whose Line is it Anyway

Mind your Language

4 Things you are passionate about

My family
Crafting
Blogging
The old & sick
4 Words/phrases you say a lot
"Please"
"Oh no!" 
"Keep quiet!"
"Stop it!"
4 Things you've learned about the past
Life isn’t always a bed of roses.
Speak less, hear more.                                                                      Do what you love to do, not what others want you to do.                          Do your best, trust in God and leave the rest to HIM.
4 Places you would like to go
Canada
Rome
Jerusalem
Australia
4 Things you did yesterday
Made a card for my GD post  at Quirky Crafts
Cooked Chinese food (chilly chicken & noodles)
Watched the American Idol repeat of the top 11 perform, as I’d missed it.                                                                                                                  I got this post ready.                                                

4 Things you are looking forward to
Kids summer vacation
Visiting my parents in Goa                                                             Adding to my few crafting goodies through giveaways ;)                                         Migrating from here someday. God willing.

4 Things you love about spring

(I just wish it would last longer. Summer is the longest here)

The blossoms
Birds chirping/twitterpating at my window
The pleasant weather
Time to sow something new.

Tag 4 people to play along
Christi http://christi-hicks.blogspot.com/

Smita  http://kreativityandme.blogspot.com/

Sudha  http://papercraftss.blogspot.com/

Angelin  http://cherubcrafts.blogspot.com/

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    Besides sharing facts about me, I have listed 32 blogs here. I hope you’ll will visit them and take the time to pass the torch on at your leisure. (But, try not to do as I did. I delayed, had four to pass on in one go & had a tough time trying to figure out who to pass it on to as per the rules, etc.) 

Here’s a quick & simple card just for you my friends (not 4 challenges) to say……

    I really do appreciate your visits & lovely comments, without which, my blog would have been a lonely place. 

    I end this long post with an invitation to ‘MASTERCRAFT’ our krafty family blog of which I’m the administrator. I hope you become my friends there too, though I have no candy to offer, but  just inspiration & more as time goes by. It would be very much appreciated if you would also mention the new blog when you post your award.

Thanks once again & have a wonderful day.

Leanne