Bird Park - 1st December 2007

We went to the KL Birdpark last Saturday for Jun Xi's (Bryant and Becky's aunt!!!) 1st Birthday Party. Like me, the kids had a whale of a time and was sooooo well behaved. This gave me the courage to bring Becky shopping on Sunday, and true to form...she loved getting out!

Our First Class Output - Sssshhhh

Whilst Penelope created numerous samples in 12x12 format to small hand-held albums for us as ideas and inspirations (one of which is featured here), we were all assigned to make our own little project.

Materials given for this challenge were:

• 2 cardstock (our choice)


• 3 patterned paper (our choice)


• 9 yards of funky ribbons and trim (our choice)


• and lots and lots of freebies (embellishments) and tools.

What was daunting was we didn't know what we were up against; only reassured fun - which we had lots of.

I made a little album for my daughter, Becky, highlighting the events in the 1st hour of her life. Hence, I named my little album "1st 1 Hour" and used the letter "L" to subsitute the number "1" from the Basic Grey Romani Monograms collection. Clever? Oh well, credit to my sister actually who guided us individually and cooked up really creative ideas for each and every participant resulting in 5 different looking mini albums and layouts that brought out the best of our pictures.

For the rest of the album, I played up the greens, orange and blue from the patterned paper rather than the photos to offset the drabby hospital blues and greens reflected in the pictures. With all the wonderful ideas and advice, I am so proud of my little album, although it is a departure from my own style.

Designer: Penelope Gan (I thought I should still give her the credit since I would not have produced it in such a way)

Products: Chatterbox and American Crafts patterned paper, Bazzil cardstock, Basic Grey Romani Monograms, Autumn Leaves Mod Citrus Pillow Charms, American Crafts Ribbons, Scrap-n-Crop Ribbons and Trims, Scrap-n-Crop embellishments (buttons, brads, eyelets and brads) ~ all available at www.scrap-n-crop.com

I've Been Tagged Too

OK, heard bout this sometime ago...never had the time to see what its all about...so here goes...KitKatz tagged me ages ago..but I have only been able to do this now...

These are the rules:

• 
  Link to your tagger (see above), and also post these rules on your blog.
  
• Share 7 facts about yourself (random or weird) on your blog.
  
• Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.Let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.
  

... and 7 facts about me:

1. I am a shopaholic...I shop till I drop, no pun intended! And i buy just about anything, from shoes to scrapbook materials to designer coffee...Hubby thinks I have too many shoes but who doesnt need another blue pair of shoes???
2. I am a terrible mum...yes, terrible...My new born daughter lives in my scrapbook store. I spend so much time there, I have actually carried her to my store on many occasions. Perhaps her first words will be brads instead of dad!
3. I still dream of Italy! Went to only as close as France..it seems I never had the time after Bryant was born
4. I dont exercise. Well, make that never. Prob the last activity I did that came close to exercising was carting my stuff to the American Bazzar for sale!
5. My life long ambition was to be in the investment line but now that I am here, doing what I wanted to do all my life...it doesnt seem fun at all. I just wish I can be back home now scrapbooking without interrupion!
6. If I can choose a cuisine to live on, it will be sashimis and pastas...yes, when given a choice I only eat Japanese or Italian
7. Not being able to go out, is never a deterrent to me when it comes to shopping. I buy everythign online...prob the only thing I have never bought online is a car!

And I am tagging:

1. Liza
2. JC
3. Nad
4. Lay Hoon
5. Adeline
6. Norazah
7. Jasmine

Have FUn!

Ssshhh... Secrets Sample LO

Mini accordian, tags, slides and envelopes were incorporated into this layout by my sister to 'make' space for countless of photos, journaling and knick-knacks (Flamenco Tix!!!). An avid photographer and traveller, it was difficult for her to decide on THE one (or perhaps two to three) photos to be featured in the LO.

Estatic to have found this Basic Grey pattern paper that "gives the Flamenco more flavour" {quote-unquote}, she did not want to crop it to bits and chose to use it as a main feature and use embellisments (e.g. Scrap-n-Crop brads and matching C3 ribbons) to provide the LO with some dimensions while retaining the overall feel.

Products: Basic Grey patterned paper, Bazzil cardstock, Autumn Leaves clear stamps, Bazzil and DDB Pigment Ink, Scrap-n-Crop embellishments - photo anchors, brads - and embossing powder.

Designer: Penelope Gan

Swimming

Rebecca and Bryant swims in my aunt's house every Monday morning. Yesterday I ditched work in the morning to capture some photos of the two monsters in action! My favourite photo is Becky posing with my aunt's mum...that is like 4 generations between them!

SNC Sign Board

My first attempt in some new techniques used for this sign board. The huge board is a MDF board. First I spread PVA glue all over the board, then I crumpled some tissue and pat it on the PVA to create a wrinkled texture. (In case you girls are wondering, I tested the tissue and its acid free!). After its dry I spread one layer of gesso on the board. Then I painted the board an antique white colour. Finally I pat some distressing ink on the board (I used Mahogany, Broken China and Antique Linen) and I spritz some water using SNC's spray onto the ink. I then use a transparency sheet to smear the ink and mix the ink, creating unique colour patches. For the final touch, I used Making Memories Sunflower acrylic paint and pat it all over with a sponge.

I found Basic Grey's Periphery Paper with the birds and cut it out to adhere on the board. Lastly, after adhering everything, I distressed the edges with more distressing ink and acrylic paint!

Supplies used: MDF Board, Plaid Wooden Alphabets, Gesso, Acrylic Paint, PVA Glue, Tissue, Distressed Inks, Ribbons, Patterned Paper, Transparency, Sponge Daubers.

The Amazing World of GOOGLE

Call me crazy, but have you all ever tried googling yourself? I was just trying to clean up my online profile, if possible, disassociate valerie and ebay for professional purposes and surprisingly I found someone actually blogged about me! That is so cool and it really made my day. I meet so many lovely people everyday and to know that someone took note of what I told her, I am really really touched...it looks as if my whole cause and reason for Scrap-n-Crop actually truly works! Thank you shoeaholic, you made my day! Here's the link for those who are keen - http://shoeaholicsdiary.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_archive.html

Or the post below:

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

An Inspiration of Life
Lately, i started doing some crafts and handiwork again to get in touch with my creative side. I haven't been doing such crafts since i discovered the wonders of computers. Partly, i haven't found the time and also source that i use to have before i discovered internet. Yes, i think the internet has robbed most of my youth and time, and it still is.I would buy books and magazines to get myself all excited and inspired to work on some projects and recently, i made 2 simple frames for 2 dear friends with our picture in it. It was really simple and yet i struggled a little at my creative call! But i am glad i started it anyway and i am taking another step at establishing more little projects again.I went online this afternoon and started looking around at ebay.au. I came about some nice ribbons for scrapbooking and to my awed, i found 2 sellers that are based in Malaysia! I've always wanted to buy stuff from ebay, but the payment and prosedures are simply too complicated for me not to mention the conversion rate and shipping fees blah blah...So i contacted the sellers for further inquiries and i ended up "meeting" one seller by the name of Valerie Gan. She responded to my email the promptest and we ended up exchanging a few friendly emails. She mentioned she has a 2 1/2 yr old brain damaged son by the name of Bryant in her Ebay Store and she established this store to help support her child and also families with similar problems like her. So i typed her name at google to see if i can find anything about her and this is what i found at http://www.midwiferytoday.com/enews/enews0607.asp
I am neither a midwife nor a medical student. My son was born with a severe brain injury. I would like to know what is the acceptable time frame between crowning and full spontaneous delivery.My baby was born in May 2003. Since birth he has not been able to cry, suck, or swallow. We now tube feed him; he tends to vomit each time we try to feed him. In his first two weeks of life, his eyes remained shut and his body movements were hypotonic. Though he is now able to move a bit more, at times the movements are spastic, and he tends to arch his neck when agitated. His pupils are not equal, and he does not appear to be able to focus. We now discover that he is also unable to see and hear.Bryant is my first child. The latent phase took two hours, and the active phase was approximately six hours. After the latent phase there was a change of nurses at the hospital, and we were at times left unattended. It was two hours from the time I was fully dilated (according to a nurse that came in to check) before the doctor came to deliver the baby.During the second stage I was told by yet another nurse to push the baby until the crown showed while we awaited the doctor's arrival. The baby was born with an Apgar of 5 and was not breathing. He had to be resuscitated and was subsequently sent to the NICU. Resuscitation was also delayed. Fetal monitoring showed merely 2 (Type 2 dips) during the wholeprocess. I was tested for some metabolic diseases, and all results were negative. Both my husband and I have no family history of illnesses and we lead healthy lifestyles (no smoking or drinking). Bryant's ECG test (done about three weeks of life) showed little bursts of activity. Although not confirmed, the diagnosis we feel is pointing toward infant asphyxia (HIE). Bryant sees a neuro specialist right now and visits the physiotheraphist once a month.— Valerie Gan,MalaysiaMy heart broke when i read about her child and what she and her family had to go through. She then mentioned in her email to me that she does scrapbooking for her son to document his precious life and though it can sometimes be very depressing, she said that Bryant hasn't got very long to live and that is why scrapbooking helps her to cope and express herself. Suddenly, my world grew a little bigger today after meeting Valerie. Knowing briefly about what she does and had to go through in life makes me feel that i am not living mine as i should. It is amazing how we are all brought together by common interests in the love for art. I am very convinced that art is a great way for many people to express themselves and every piece of craft always have a story to tell or a piece of emotion attached to it. Valerie's story inspired me more than any magazines and books,I learnt a lesson in life today that the true inspiration comes from within and around us. I pray that Valerie will find peace and strength each day to be the great mother she is for Bryant. I also pray that God to take away Bryant's pain and suffering.
So Shoe Me 31.1.06 0 pair of Shoes

Altered Pail

As chowchowscrapper said, I am really into the altering stage right now...enclosed is a tin I made, also for the upcoming bazaar...dunno why, into the pink green mood too...

Work In Progress

Hi all

Altered some items today and took some photos of my work in progress...scratching my head on how to alter around the whole cupboard...color theme is olive green, brown n some blue...As for the drawers, I will be using bookplates, painted in the same olive green, to label the drawers...eg, buttons, brads, eyelets and so forth....Any comments???

Scrapbooking Gifts

I made a gift bag for a friend that has just delivered a baby girl!...needless to say, gals, scrapbooking make great gifts!!! Yes! More excuses to load up on stuff!!!

Yes, I absolutely adore Prima's giant flowers...they simply give your gifts the added punch!

Materials used in this project: 1 Cardboard Box, Prima Flowers, Autumn Leaves Mod paper, Embroidered Rick Rack, Giant Brads and Grosgrain Ribbon.

Introducing the Bind It All by Zutter

Yes, this is a wooooonderful machine....Save money! Make your own journals, chipboard albums...whatever...professionally bound. Use it for school, for scrapbooks, for recipe books or just for filing receipts...the possibilities are endless...The pictures above tells you everything! Need we say more? So come on, get it here, http://www.scrap-n-crop.com/webshaper/store/viewProd.asp?pkProductItem=3730

Available only at www.scrap-n-crop.com.

Annual American Christmas Bazzar

I have to thank Michelle (chowchowscrapper) for this one...she has really been encouraging me and inspiring me to do so much more...a big big thank you...uuuummmmck!

We will be participating in this year's annual american christmas bazzar. It will be on the 15th of November...so please save the date! Come visit us and give us more encouragement!

And we are also happy that all proceeds from this bazzaar goes to various charitable organizations!

Part 1 of my Scrapbook Room - My Rubber Stamps

Hi,

Since so many of you have been wondering how I store my own scrapbook materials, I am writing a weekly series on organizing for your scrapbook room. First up is my rubber stamps collection...

Oh yeah, I am a stamp collector!!! So gals and guys, tell me how you store your rubber stamps. Mine sits on the shelves though it seems to be getting dusty if I don't stamp enough! Each shelf has a theme, i.e. one shelf will be for travel stamps, another for botanicals, another collage...and so forth.

SO come on, lets compare storage pictures...Looking forward to hearing from you...

Val

Altering Alphabets

For the first time in many moons...I finally "stole" a little time to scrap! Yes, Bryant and Becky is asleep...for the moment...

I altered 2 wooden alphabets to be put on my store's door. Do take a look and tell me what you think!

And closeups

Supplies Used: Wooden Alphabets: Plaid Design; Patterned Papers: SEI, My Minds Eye, Basic Grey, Bazzill; Flowers: Prima; Ribbons and Rick Rack: Scrap-n-Crop, American Craft; Chipboard: Fancy Pants; Brads: Scrap-n-Crop; Buttons: American Craft; Rub Ons: Making Memories; Paint: Plaid.

Scrap-n-Crop.com

Call us ambitious, call us crazy...like we do not have anything else to do! BUT look out for scrap-n-crop's new activities...we have recruited two new design team members....yes, I would love to contribute but this is taking more time than I thought!

Anyway, welcome Michelle and Katherine...they will be submitting layouts, ideas, inspirations and tips on scrapbooking...yeh...a big round of applause. We have been lacking ideas in the past, so hopefully with some encouragement from you guys, they will be inspired to create, create and create!

Secondly, we have started a new clearance column. We have been naughty, we have been ordering too much and our store is just overflowing...so look forward and check often to our clearance items. Regretfully you'll hardly see anything on 50% off or more but that's because we made a promise to keep prices low everyday! For the love of scrapbooking, we don't believe in excessive mark ups. Instead we think scrapbooking should be affordable for everybody, no matter where they are!

Thirdly, in September, you will see CHA07 items being shipped...keep a look out for our new items. We have so far: -

1. Basic Grey's CHA Recess, Obscure, Mellow collections, embellishments, rubons
2. Autumn Leaves new clear stamps, idea books, transparencies, embellishments and paper collections
3. Zutter Bind-it-all Machine - ooh, you will love this one...create your very own journals, recipe books, diaries and bind them all by yourself with their chipboard covers and spiral mounting.
4. Newly released CK Media books - CK Best of Becky Higgin's sketches, CK Hall of Fame 9, CK Life Artist by Ali Edwards, CK Scrapbooking with your kids, SS The Organized and Inspired Scrapbooker, PC Room to Room and.....oh and so much more
5. Tools...you asked for it, we have reordered, so the affordable Provo Craft cutters will be here, so will the cutest little sewing machine if you love the stitches look, pens to doodle, chalk, Cropper Hopper storage solutions...
6. Restock of the ever so popular Chatterbox papers...this is your last chance to grab those papers you have wished you bought more...
7. Cricut and Quickutz on pre-order

So look out for all these newbies in September. If our budget allows, you will definitely see more items.

Fourthly and finally, we might also start classes on altering boxes, tins, any items which you might have discarded before this. We look forward to seeing more of you and we welcome more ideas and suggestions. If you think this is not enough, do just give us a shout and we'll see if we can accomodate!

So, until we get busy again...adios...

Valerie

Your friendly scrapholic/shopaholic store owner

Born on the 4th of July

As most of you might have known, I was a nervous wreck for the whole of the past 9 months! And finally, we are blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Rebecca. So, please excuse my absence... the superstitious says not to talk about the unborn child for fear of goodness knows what, I can't even recall but thought better not to! Anyway, all being said and done...here she is!

Big bro Bryant gets pretty jealous, so they'll both be rushing to the most coveted space - mummy's arms....ooh can't wait to dress her up and scrapbook every little antic!

Speaking of scrapbooking...I have ordered the latest Basic Grey lines, yes...the CHA07 ones...and Hampton Arts is on its way too....so brace yourselves for our new arrivals in August...can't wait to see what else is in store for CHA! Enjoy!!!

Bazzill Basics Coming Soon

Our new shipment of Bazzill Basics in now in the KLIA customs awaiting clearance! Be prepared for new mixed packs, some vellum, slight Blings and the new cardstock with an edge! I hope to get them all listed within this week.
Oh and we are so excited, we decided to give Bazzill lovers a real treat! Get 1 free cardstock of your choice for every purchase of 10 Bazzill cardstocks! ***(Free cardstock does not include Bling, cardstock with an edge or vellum).

Preorders for Making Memories

If you have been eyeing some gorgeous embellishments from Making Memories but cant find them anywhere closer than a moon's throw away, now's the time to make your pre-orders from us! Simple e-mail me at valerie.gan@gmail.com. I will soon be ordering some new supplies from Making Memories, expected delivery would be mid June or 3rd week June!
Freebies await the first 20 pre-oders! ***(Applicable for purchases above RM100 / SGD50)
Valerie

Introducing Technique Tuesday

Scrapbooking's most popular stamps are here, arriving at our store just today! We are excited to announce that we are offering Technique Tuesday's Winter 2007 collector's stamp set with every purchase above RM300 or SGD150 of Technique Tuesday products. (***applicable while stock lasts)

This special little set is named Icing on the Cake – Mini. Have your cake and eat it, too with this delicious stamp set.

Buttons Galore

Hi there...its been a while since I last posted....Had a godzillion things to do lately! So what has scrap-n-crop been up to? We brought in buttons, buttons and more buttons.

Take a look, there are buttons in theme packs, square buttons, heart shaped buttons..the list goes on....so if you are looking for buttons, do stop by!

Prima Flowers

Not sure if you guys have heard, that Prima flowers are all the rage now! Lovely mulberry paper flowers packed in lovely gift boxes....almost too lovely to open it up and use!

We brought in the:

1. Big box blooms - flowers up to 6 1/2" large to decorate your album cover, your layout, boxes...
2. The Carnival collection - ooh....these are running out fast...the Milk Bath white flowers is nearly gone, right after it was listed!!! Only 3 left....but if I "steal" 1...
3. The Hydrangea no.5 Tin Can, comes in lovely tins with a glass top...hydrangeas in all shades
4. Flowers of the month...different flowers to represent different months.....3 months comes in a lovely box, so if you purchase all 3 months, I'll leave the box as it is, wrapped with twill!
5. Prima Flowers No.1 come in a glass heart shape bottle....almost like a perfume bottle!!!
6. Prima Flowers No. 3 comes in a round glass bottle....also like a perfume bottle....lovely pressies!!!!
7. Flowers no. 6 comes in a plastic bottle with a bronze twist cap, non breakable...
8. And finally some flowers in a wooden box with glass cover...the velvet ones are irrisitable!!!

I'll post pictures later...my computer is acting up.....so cant post now....but go on in to www.scrap-n-crop.com for a peek at our latest shipment!!!

Val

Bryant Meets Monks

Bryant has been priviledged to meet quite a few monks lately. Most recent is a weekend monks' retreat in Cameron Highlands.

Embossing Techniques

HI there

Happy Chinese New Year to all my Asian friends....Another new year, more resolutions to make:

1. To clear my work desk.....yes, i cant find space to scrap!!!
2. To complete more pages...ooh i really have to get to work on more layout!!!

But, yes, to all my friends who have been asking me on Embossing.

Embossing 101

1. Use any rubber stamp or foam stamp with special embossing ink. Embossing ink takes a longer time to dry so embossing powder can slowly stick on the stamped surface. Pigment ink can also be used for embossing, but not dye inks, as dye inks dry almost immediately.

2. Scatter your favourite embossing powder onto the stamped surface and shake off excess powder which can be re-used again later.

3. Heat powder with either an embossing gun or a hotplate...I have ordered embossing guns but they were missing in transit. I will be re-ordering them again later.

4. You will see the powder melting into a shining surface.

For Glitter

The glitter i have in the store can be used to add some shine to your scrapbook layouts. They are not to be confused with embossing however. To use glitter, spread a layer of either clear or sepia inkessentials accents and pour glitter over the surface. Shake off excess.

Making Memories has brought in chipboards with sticky surfaces to be used with glitter. I will be bringing them in later. Do look out for constant new products!


Cheers and Happy Scrapbooking

Valerie

New New New

Hi guys,

I am back....have had a hectic past 3 months....will blog more bout that when I am ready! But anyway, a quick note before I zzz...we have new stuff....all new, I just downloaded them today...the adhesives are in and so is the wonderful and talked about Crop-a-Dile tool!!! Yes, this fantastic tool has like 8 in 1 functions, I love it so much I had to take one for myself!

This is what I got from the website, www.weronthenet.com.

"Unbelievable. That's what everyone is saying about the Crop-A-Dile, and it's no wonder-- even the creators of the tool are impressed with what it can do. The Crop-A-Dile is no ordinary eyelet and snap setter. It punches through chipboard like butter, and with 1/8 and 3/16 inch built-in hole punchers, it silently and easily sets snaps and eyelets of both sizes-- and there are no loose pieces to keep track of! You'll be amazed at what you can do with this great tool."

Go and check out the amazing project ideas!!! They are all there on the website! So till then, have fun!

New Domestic Shipping Options

Hello my fellow scrapbookers!

Thank you for your feedbacks. Due to numerous demands for lower domestic shipping services, we now offer regular mail services to customers within Malaysia.

You will find that the regular postal rates are much lower than the express rates (Poslaju). However, please take note that there is no guarantees on the reliability of regular post. As you will see, we have a small handling charge imposed and this is for registration of mail as proof of us sending the package. However, unlike Poslaju where you cantrack your mail online (www.pos.com.my), for registered service, we can only proof that the mail is sent. Therefore we will not be responsible for any items missing en-route.

Thank you once again.

Valerie