A Love-themed Project

Hello and good afternoon dear friends!

I'm Halak and I welcome you to my little papercrafting blog.

It is after quite a bit of hiatus that I write this... it's not that I quit papercrafting but just that amidst this rush of a life the pace of crafting got awfully slow.

Nevertheless, I'd love to share with you a project I created recently. A card with a matching envelope.

Here's a photo of just the card:

Products used to make this are:

1. Purple, White and Black cardstock from my stash
2. Distress Oxide Inks - Wilted Violet & Salty Ocean
3. Word Tile in Black, Clear Sequins, Tiny Rhinestones and Dew Drops i.e. Acrylic dots in 5mm size  (I bought these from a local store close to my home but these are easily available online)
4. Spellbinders - Labels 8 Die (I used the second largest die)
5. Memory Box - Enchanted Heart Die
6. Memory Box - Climbing Vine Die
7. White Glitter - Dress My Craft
8. Black Glitter - Jags

Steps:

1. First I cut out the card base and die-cut the white layering base, heart and vine.
2. Next, I inked up the white heart using distress oxide inks and set it to dry.
3. After that, adhered the white card front to my card base.
4. Added white glitter to the heart and adhered to card front. Added black glitter to the vines and adhered that as well.
Here's a closeup:

5. Once the glitter dried, I adhered the word tile to the centre of the heart.
6. Finished the card with some sequins, rhinestones and dew drops.

Also added a white vine to the envelope to create a co-ordinating look.

One of my inspirations to create this project other than this being February a.k.a the month-of-love is the fun challenge over at The Twisted Challenges. Link: Challenge Link wherein you had to make a project devoid of pink and red.

Hmmm.. this is interesting.. I thought to myself and here I am... writing this post!

Here's one more picture of the card with the co-ordinating envelope:

That brings me to an end of this post.

Hope you liked what I created and thank you so much for stopping by!

*Hugs*

-Halak

A bunch of fun CAS cards

Hello hello!!

Welcome to my little crafty world.

Today I am over at PABD with a bunch of colorful CAS projects.

Here's one of 'em:

I have listed the steps that went into the making of these projects over at PABD blog but if you ever feel stuck / confused at any stage, feel free to send me a msg over at halak.shah@gmail.com!

To view complete post click >> HERE

Till next time dear friends! *Big Panda Hugs*

Christmas Wishes

Here's a clean and simple card that I made for Christmas this year.

The stamps that I used were a first. (I should have used them sooner, loving the results!) :D

The flower / poinsetta stamp is from Unity Stamp Company.

Sentiment is by CraftyScrappers.

Colored the image with Staedtler Luna colored pencils, added some embellishments and washi tape. 

Close-up:

Of course I made a batch of these for sharing! ^__^

Till next time dear friends!

*Big Panda Hugs*

Christmas Inspiration at hndmd.in

Hello! ^__^ Merry Christmas dear friends!

I am once again over at hndmd.in featuring Christmas themed projects using the wonderful CrafTangles products!

Here I have featured my favorite project, simply 'cause I love how gorgeous this image from the Holly Jolly Christmas stamp set is! (Soo much fun to color!!!)

Here's a close-up:

There are a bunch of other projects that you can check out in detail with instructions and close-ups right: HERE

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Have a wonderful week ahead! :)   

Fun projects with washis over @PABD

Hello hello! 😊

I have a fun post over at PABD featuring a colorful array of cards made using washi tapes.

To check out the complete post, just click >> HERE

Here are some quick closeups:

Do stop by, I'd love to know what you think!

*Big Panda Hugs*

Till next time!

Guest Designing @Hndmd

Hello dear friends!

Super happy to share with you that I recently received an opportunity to try out some fabulous products by CrafTangles and guest design!

So, I made a bunch of projects. (Which was so much fun!!)

Here in my blog post you can see one of my favorite projects, fondly called, The Chickie Card.

:) Isn't she super cute?

Of course, I also included some sneak peeks of other projects that you can check out in detail with instructions right: HERE 

I'd love to know what you think! :) Have a lovely week ahead! *Hugs*

Creativity takes Courage

Hello and good morning dear friends!

I can't believe I forgot to share this fantastic piece of news with you all....

Well... better late than never... what say? :)

My work has once again featured in Our Idea Book!!! (India's first ever craft magazine.)

It's in the September 2017 Issue on Page No. 7.

This project is very special to me, because it is symbolic. It is dedicated to all those people who put their work out there, take criticism with a smile on their faces + hope in their hearts and strive to improve with each passing day. :)

P.S. I love making ATCs so to be able to use a combination of them and make a project was a lot of fun!

To buy the magazine, click > HERE

In case you have any specific query related to this project, don't forget to shoot me an email at halak.shah@gmail.com or leave a comment below this post and I will reply as soon as I see the msg!

I'd love to know what you think! Have a lovely weekend!

PABD Challenge - Oct 2017

Holy cow!

I can't believe it's been a YEAR since I last blogged.... gee...

Okay okay... I'll admit, I got lazy. Then again, time does fly!

One might wonder, did all of this stop me from crafting? Hell no!

In the days to come you will be seeing a whole lot of my work that didn't quite make it to blogland.

Anyhoo, let's start with the most epic news ever... Peek-a-boo Designs (PABD) are back!

This post contains a snippet of my work that you can check out in detail right: HERE 

You can have a look at all of the fabulous new release by PABD: HERE 

That's all from me for today, have a fantastic weekend folks! ^_^

Hello Friend

Hello and good afternoon dear friends!

Here's a simple card I made for a friend using Altenew Persian Motifs with Papericious Papers (Pretty Basics.)

The sentiment is by So Suzy Stamps.

The oval stitched die is by Peek-a-boo Designs and I've colored the image using Staedtler luna color pencils.

I've added a bit of glitter to the colored image but you can also heat emboss it using sparkly embossing powder!

Thank you for stopping by!

Have a lovely day! *Hugs*

Posted via Blogaway

Cards For A Cause

One of the joys of papercrafting is we get to spread happiness, make some one smile, brighten someone's day.

It is the primary reason that made me take up cardmaking after the end of art classes that I took up during school. :)

We have an awesome facebook page that goes by the name of "Cards For A Cause - India"

You can check out the group :  HERE 

This group conducts various card drives wherein we crafters get an opportunity to contribute to a cause by sending out cards.

The most recent card drive was the : send cards to soldiers drive for which I made these thank you cards.

How'd I make these cards?

Here are the steps :

1. Created background using the Hypnotic stencil by Penny Black.
(Distress ink colors used were : Spiced Marmalade and Mowed Lawn)

The Indian flag consists of colors Saffron White and Green, so that was the color theme I wanted to go with.

2. Stamped the sentiment using the fantastic Thank You stamp by So Suzy Stamps.

3. Die-cut using a rectangle from the Rounded Rectangle Dual Stitched die by Peek-a-boo Designs.

4. Added navy blue sequins and matted it onto navy blue cardstock.

5. Lastly, added a glittery multi-colored strand of thread.

I also created matching envelopes for the cards after which I penned down a few words of thanks and then sent these out! ^__^

Before I sign off, here's one more picture :

I hope you liked my project. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Have a lovely evening! *Hugs*

Posted via Blogaway

An ATC with neon colors

Hello and good morning! ^__^

This post has been really overdue.

I created this neon ATC for a swap a while back.

Deets :

1. Stenciled background using distress inks with Rhapsody stencil by Memory Box.

2. Stamped the flowers from Altenew Persian Motifs.

3. Stamped sentiment using the Hello Friend stamp by So Suzy Stamps.

4. Added stitching towards the top and bottom edges. (49 & Market stamp - Gabi's Line Stitch)

5. To color, I've used Staedtler color pencils with Sakura pens in neon colors.

6. Added a bit of glitter + some washi tape and a tiny heart sticker.

7. Finally, matted it onto red cardstock and boom! The ATC was complete.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful day! *Hugs* <3

Posted via Blogaway

Time for Challenge #10 @Peek-a-boo!

Hello and good morning! ^__^

It's time for Challenge #10 over at Peek-a-boo Designs!

This time around the challenge is sketch inspired.

Here's the sketch :

From the gorgeous september 2016 releases, I created my project using a circle out of the Scallop Circle cutting die with the Floral Fantasy stamp set.

Steps :

Tinted white cardstock using Color Burst. (Violet)

Using the bigger die from the Scallop Circle die set, I kept only the circle portion and stamped the flower + sentiment from the Floral Fantasy set.

Colored the flower with distress inks. (Twisted Citron and Blueprint Sketch)

The strips of paper were cut out from black & white cardstock along with a strip from the paper tinted with color burst and adhered.

The background was created using pattern paper and project was adhered onto black card base.

And boom, the card was done. 

To participate, click : HERE

Thank you so much for stopping by!
Have a lovely day!

Posted via Blogaway

Challenge #9 at Peek-a-boo Designs

Hello and good morning!

It's the first of August which means it's time for a brand new challenge over at Peek-a-boo Designs!

This time around, we have a beautiful inspiration board featuring a vibrant array of colors! ^__^

                Image source : Pinterest

Out of this color inspiration board, you have to use atleast 3 colors in your project to participate.

To make my card, I used the Bubbles Stencil along with a sentiment from the Positive Vibes stamp set.

I've used distress inks to stencil and to include all 5 colors from the inspiration board, I used red as my card base.

Finished it off with some yummy looking acrylic dots and dull gold thread.

Here's a close-up :

So, that's that. I really hope you play along and join the fun!

To participate, click >>> HERE

Thank you so much for stopping by! *Hugs*

Posted via Blogaway

Stamps and stencils

Hello and good evening! ^__^

Sharing today, a card I made for a friend's birthday.

I used distress inks for stenciling and dye inks for stamping.

Stenciled first and then stamped.

Added pink chevron washi tape bits to two sides.

Finished it off with a couple of skittles. (The round bead-like embellishments that are super cute and available at So Suzy Stamps.)

Products used :

Distress Inks (Ranger)
Picked Raspberry
Salty Ocean

Dye Inks
Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
Lilac Love - So Suzy Ink Bites

Stencils
Rhapsody - Memory Box
Texturized - TCW
Confetti - Heidi Swapp

Stamps
All Boy (Teresa Collins) - Fiskars
Roundy Sentiments - Peek-a-boo
Birthday Sentiments - Little Darlings
Solid Flower (Small) - Hero Arts

Thank you so much for stopping by! *Hugs*

Posted via Blogaway

New Release over at Peek-a-boo Designs

Hello and good morning!

I have be waiting for this day ever since I saw the new products that were gonna be launched today and boy I am excited!

Yes! Peek-a-boo Designs (PABD) now have cutting dies added to their product list which are GORGEOUS!!!!

These are 100% made of steel and they die-cut like butter. I didn't need to pass the die more than once through my big shot when I was cutting and that includes the detailed lattice one!

This whimsical fairy card that you see in the image above is what I created using PABD products.

Here's a list of stuff from PABD July 2016 release that I used :

I used the lattice die-cut in portions around the card and also as a stencil! ^__^

This is one die-cut that can double up as a beautiful stencil too!

The white panel mounted on black card base is cut from the dual stitched rectangle die. (Second largest rectangle die was used.)

Stamping was done with black archival ink and distress inks were used with a round blending tool to stencil.

Locally purchased black and white glitter + stickers were added.

I hope you liked my project and will check out the fantastic array of projects the other DT members have put up!

To participate in Challenge #8 click >> HERE

Thank you for stopping by! *Hugs*

 

Posted via Blogaway

Hello friend

Hello and good evening!

Here's a card I made for a friend using So Suzy Stamps and Ink Bites. (All inks are by So Suzy Stamps except black.)

Kinda looks like one of those beautiful cherry blossom trees, what say? ^__^ I love this particular set of ink bites because it's a color co-ordinated set of soft pastel shades that make awesome cards for all age groups! And two shades of purple! Woo hoo!

Steps :

First, on a die-cut piece of cardstock I stamped the Bare Tree Tall stamp using the Pretty Pewter Ink Bite.

After that I used the Dot Splatter stamp and stamped it multiple times using Thistle Thicket and Lucky Lavender Ink Bites.

All of the ink bites that I used are from the So Suzy - Highland Spring Ink Bite set.

Stamped sentiment (Hello Friend) using black archival ink.

Next, using Carnation Pink Nuvo Drops I added a couple of drops to the tree and sprinkled glitter over it.

Matted it onto black card base, added a couple of heart stickers near the sentiment (purchased locally) and tied a silver twine.

Here's a close up :

And that's how I did it! ^__^ Thank you so much for stopping by and have a lovely day!

Linking this to : So Suzy Ink Bites Challenge

Posted via Blogaway

Let's talk about craft supplies

Hello!

This is going to be one long post so bear with me please.  ^__^

Especially because this one has no pictures.

Recently, I got to know that a few of So Suzy Stamps were copied and were wrongly being sold in India.

I do not want my article to be about negativity, I only want to educate those new crafters who have recently embraced the hobby to know how to recognize the difference between an original product and a fake.

Let's take the example of So Suzy Stamps.

So Suzy Stamps are made in the USA with high quality red rubber. So when you see someone selling those exact same designs in clear stamps, alarm bells should go off in your head.

I know what you're thinking... how will we know that there is another brand out there who owns this design?

It's difficult when you're starting out. To be absolutely honest, there are some brands that even the most experienced crafters do not know of.

Any brand's work can be copied but here are a few things to keep in mind before you make a crafty purchase.

Google is your best friend

If you are in doubt or confused about a purchase, google it.

First try with the product name. If nothing comes up, use an element from the product and google.

Example : If it's a wedding dress stamp, google :  wedding dress stamp images

You can even use this technique for stencil patterns, stickers etc.

While it is not foolproof, it can help you determine to a certain extent if the product you plan to purchase is original or not.

Cost

Usually the copied products are priced much lower than the originals. So if you see a product being offered to you at a throw away price whereas identical products by other companies are expensive, think, why is this product being sold so cheap?

Ask the manufacturer

Many manufacturers are not designers and illustrators. They source the design from illustrators, pay for it and manufacture it.

So, if in doubt you should ask the manufacturer for the source. If it seems fishy, you know you are dealing with a fake product.

Ask a craft store owner

Most craft store owners who have been dealing in the sale of craft supplies will know the difference between an original and a fake.

Many of these wonderful ladies help out and give advice upon asking so if you are in a doubt, do not hesitate to contact them! They will definitely guide.

Disadvantages of purchasing a fake product :

Performance
The fake product will give you inferior performance and will not give you the best results.

Resale value
If you buy an original product, you can re-sell it / destash it after you are no longer interested in using it and recover some amount out of the total cost of that item.

If it's a fake people will not buy it.

Also sometimes things are bought on an impulse and we crafters destash those (I know I have bought stuff on an impulse and destashed those items, brand new!) at MRP less 5 - 10% of what we paid for it. With a fake product, once again, it's not gonna be possible as people will not buy it.

So you see, while the fake product may come cheap, in the long run, it is nothing but a loss.

Reputation
Using a fake product will only hamper your brand value and reputation in the international markets. A major negative if you ask me.

I hope this article has helped you learn something new and encouraged you to make an informed decision leading to an ethical purchase.

Lastly, we have formed a facebook group to help people learn the difference between originals and fakes.
Join us if you are also a supporter of original products!

Check it out >>>>  HERE 

Have a beautiful weekend dear friends and happy crafting! ^__^

Posted via Blogaway

Fun with stencils!

Hello and good morning dear friends!

Here's a project I made using all the three gorgeous stencils by Peek-a-boo Designs (PABD)!

A part of the latest June 2016 release, they're pretty AWESOME and if you haven't checked these out yet, well.... where have you been?!

Have a look at these stencils :

1. Bubbles

2. Arrows

3. Tiles

Along with these stencils, I have used the following stamp sets by PABD :

So, how'd I do it? ^__^ 

Here are the steps :

1. Created background using PABD stencils (Bubbles, Arrows & Tiles) with distress inks (Mustard Seed, Spun Sugar & Spiced Marmalade).

2. After that, did the stamping using black archival ink.

3. Next I used an old newspaper like a rub-on and transfered some of it's print onto the project. (It transfers real easy, just cut a piece, lay it on project and smooth it out using a bone folder / butter knife) Pretty cool huh? :)

4. Then, I paper-pieced the balloon.

5. Adhered a couple of sequins.

6. Matted it onto a red card base and boom! Done!

If you would like to check out the entire JUNE 2016 release by PABD you can check it out --- HERE

Before I sign off, I have a close up image to share so that you can see how pretty these stencils truly are :

  

Thank you so much for stopping by and have a lovely day!

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Release day @Peekaboo + Blog hop!

Hello and good morning! ^__^

Welcome to Challenge #7 over at Peek-a-boo Designs!

A fun theme this time around where all you gotta do is make something using an old item from your stash along with an item you recently purchased.

So let's have a look at what I made :

I've used the Mandala stamp set along with the Bubbles stencil and the Arrow stencil that are a part of the June 2016 Release.

Here are the product images :

Apart from these, I've also used an  element from Roundy Sentiment stamp set and a sentiment from the Lily Hope stamp set (see 3rd picture) both of which are earlier releases by Peek-a-boo Designs.

And that's not all... we're having a Blog Hop! For the very first time! So much fun!

Here's the blog hop order :

Peek-a-boo Designs Blog
Halak << You are HERE
Manu
Piyanki
Sharada
Vijaylaxmi

Rules to the hop :

The Mega Prize is a Rs. 1000 gift voucher to choose what you like at the Peek-a-boo Designs online store.

Here are the details :

Five winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and they would get the gorgeous creation made by our DT and some goodies that they would add along.

Leave a comment on the design team blogs listed above and the Peek-a-boo Designs blog for your chance to win!

Be a follower of all the blogs. (5 DT blogs and 1 Peek-a-boo Design Blog)

Deadline : You have until midnight IST on Thursday, 30th June 2016 to leave a comment.

Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop by tagging us and using ---> #PABDbloghop

Tell us that you shared it with your Instagram friends by tagging us (@peekaboo_designs) and using ---> #PABDbloghop

Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop by linking your blog post to the assigned inlinkz.

And that's it!

I hope you liked what I created and checked out our new release. (It's bloody awesome, isn't it? ^__^)

Thank you so much for participating and playing along in the blog hop! Have an awesome day! *Hugs*