Jennifer Lan's blog

Polka dots + Spring = <3

Do you like polka dots? I do.

Do you like Spring? I sure do.

So, I decided to put them together and create some Spring-themed cards.

Here's a sneak peek.

I'm even going to create a box to go with the cards.. well, maybe. :)

Hey, Valentine.

I haven't been into anything crafty the past few days. So, I don't have much to post.. hardly anything. But, I did make two cards yesterday... or it'd be considered "Thursday" technically.

These were taken with my iPhone, so sorry for the quality of the images. :)

My cousin, not Lindy, asked me to make her a Valentine's card for her boyfriend, who is overseas in Japan. The last one I made her, apparently was too "girly" for her boyfriend's taste, so she wanted a "masculine" one. The problem is.. I don't know how to do "manly" cards. So, it was a challenge.

This is the first one. See? Failed. lol. It's way too girly! But I love it, and am going to keep it for myself.. or to gift to the hubby. Shh...

Yeah, my Kraft cardstock isn't really that weird color. Bad lighting I tell ya! :)

So, I went through my paper stack, and picked out a few that I thought would work perfectly. I even pulled out the Cricut, but then couldn't decide what to cut.. This totally wasn't working. So, I put it aside, and then today (Friday) I finally just decided to give it a go.

This is the results:

Because of the lighting, you can't tell that the bottom of the red cardstock is another piece of Kraft cardstock with a border punch.

Isn't it lovely how both of the cards uses the same Kraft cardstock, but both picture differently? Sigh.. My camera died, and I was too lazy to charge it. Which btw, I'm selling in order to get me a new camera - Canon. :)

After, the card above was made. I went back to crocheting. I crochet my daughter a scarf, which btw, took 4 hours! I was too distracted with trying to catch up with The Secret Life of a American Teenager on Netflix. *Sigh. lol.

I then made my son a scarf too, with the brown yarn pictured below.

I'll post pictures later.

I'm thinking of making myself a scarf too. White, with pink, blue, green, and/or purple stripes. Maybe, I'll make my cousin a headband too.. if she tells me what color(s) she wants. ;)

Notice how the iPhone took this picture of the yarns nicely, but did a crappy job with my cards. :T And yay, for the green knitting needles that sits in there lonely, because I still can't figure out how to knit. lol.

First cards of 2011:

Well, I decided to go ahead and post up 2 cards today. They're nothing special. :)

I wanted to "practice" on some Valentine's cards, because I was thinking of doing 14 cards a day til Valentine's for the hubby. But, decided that since, my birthday is on the 7th, I'd rather just skip a week, and claim it for myself and just do 7 cards a day beginning on the 8th. lol. ;)

The first card is very simple. I just wanted to use the 40 cents pack of flowers. I ended up printing out a sampler pack of Papertrey Ink's papers. I didn't even know they had that option! I was thinking of getting some of their papers, and am glad they have little samplers so that I could get a feel of their papers. You can check out the samples HERE. I downloaded most of them, so that I could print them out later. ;)

I used the "Simple Valentine" paper sampler for this card. I must say though, that what's on my screen is more of a hot pinkish color, while when it printed it was a pretty muted pink.Could just be my printer though. I did get ahold of a photo printer today.. but more on that later! LOL

I used Kraft paper for the base card. Layered it with a red paper from the K&Co Ka-Zoo paper pack. Borders are from various places. Although, in real life, the bottom border is more of a sheen pink, whereas the camera made it look more reddish. And I spelled out the world "Love" with the Martha Stewart Alphabet punch.

Second card, is just a very random "Use your scraps, woman!" card. I pulled out a various scraps, and hoped they looked okay. And somehow the colors looked great together! I also use Papertrey ink's paper sampler in "Bitty Stars Basics".

Again, the colors are a bit darker than they normally are. My photoshopping skills are bleh today. lol. Because it is scraps from the scrap box, I can't really say where each piece is from, just that I used Kraft for the card, another flower from above. And the sentiment was stamped from my cousin when she gave me a box of goodies. LOL. Let's just say i didn't see anything wrong with it, although while trying to trim it, the glitter was flying everywhere LOL. :)

So, that is all for today. I just wanted to post something up for my cousin, since she was wiating forever for a Cards only post. :) I have a digital layout to post either tonight, or tomorrow because Shell released another kit.  So yay. :)

Oh! That photo printer. Well, I was thinking of asking the hubby if I could get a small photo printer that prints just 4x6 and 5x7 for my birthday. I just wanted something small, and accessible so that I could print out pictures when I want to do layouts or have a picture that i just want to frame at that instant. Well, i was looking around yesterday and couldn't decided on anything although I kept looking at printers that prints up to 17"! LOL. But that's for later on, because i don't need to print out my 12x12 layouts now. Anyways, my aunts and cousins moved last week, and they live next door to us. They left a bunch of stuff that they 1) didn't need, and 2) that they couldn't bring with them since they are moving to a smaller apt or moving in with someone else. And what was over there? A Epson All-in-one printer that prints  out 4x6 and 5x7 photos! Just exactly what I needed. I don't care that it can print regular too, but since I've been doing some 8 1/2 x 11 layouts, that's an option too. :) My regular printer works fine for printing documents and whatnot. So yeah, this is a LONG post. lol. Maybe (and i say this loosely, since I have TONS of projects to finish the next few weeks) I'll start being able to do more scrapbook layouts. :)

Fiber Love

I was deciding on what cards to make, even text my cousin because I couldn't even think of card sizes! My mind has been just blank, unoriginal, uncreative, no ideas. I'd pull out my items, and.. NOTHING.

So, I was just pulling random things out when I came across these fiber "samples" from my cousin, Lindy. And sat there, for an hour, okay, I eventually got up after half an hour to go grocery shopping for dinner, but I finally came up with two cards!

So, let's begin!

  Well, bad lighting today and the flash makes the card extremely washed out. Ew, but other than that, this is a cute card, I think. :) Do you know what is missing? Stitching around the pink polka dot paper. :)

My inspiration was to make this card kind of a tag. Where the fibers is tied, is where I punched a small hole. The triangle piece of paper was to represent the top of the tag. Basically, a tag on a card. :) I have a lot of butterfly punch outs that I really need to put to good use. haha. It was perfect for this card.

So, those are my two cards for today! I have a notepad with some items that I'm planning on doing this week. Hopefully, tomorrow I'll be able to post some late birthday cards. Mainly, my cousin, Lindy and her boyfriend's cards. haha. Ooops. :X

Oh, hello.

I was going through my external and trying to clean off some of my files so that I would have more room for other things. I came across a folder of digital images that I've downloaded months ago. Now I didn't properfly rename this file, so I don't know who/where it came from.

It's very cute, and decided to just print, and randomly color it in. Nothing special. It's just a cute image. :)

I simply used Stampin' Up cardstock, a random color polka dot paper, and my cousin's dyed seam binding ribbon. :)

(I really need to find the person/blog who owns this image. Not only to give credit where it's due, but to see if they have any other cute images!)

Missing you sew much!

Good afternoon! :)

I have a few cards to post up today. I've been making them, but once they're done, they go into the pile with the others. I'm really lazy about taking pictures (have I already mentioned this?). My camera has been in my purse this last week. But the only available pics I have are pics taken by little girls. haha.

First card I have to show today is using a printed sentiment. Now, when I browse blogs/forums, and there are digital stamps/sentiments available to download. I download away. So, I don't know where I particulary got this sentiment, but I shall find out to give credit where it's due. :)

The sentiment I used is "Missing you sew much!". Since, I've started doing a little bit of sewing onto my cards, I decided that this sentiment is perfect. I colored in the sentiment with Stampin Up's ink in "Bermuda Bay" and "Melon Mambo". I stitched around the frame. The buttons are from a container of buttons that my mom had purchased at a resale shop for $1. Huge container too. The ribbon is by American Craft. Base cardstock in Stampin Up.

I did some more stitching on another card. This one is very simple. I used stitched a frame to used as a frame. I cut a strip of paper, added two different border punches, and then two different size hearts. The smaller heart I used some glossy accent. I then stamped "Hello" from the Martha Stewart alphabet stamps I received as a gift from my cousin. :) Very simple. Base card is the same as above.

 
This next card, my inspiration was one of my old digital layouts. I used my cricut, and sure cuts a lot to cut out a few stuff, including the ricracs. I did mess up on the stamp, and it was a little off than I had thought it would be. I should've embossed, instead of stamping with white ink, as it wasn't as vibrant as I wanted it to be.

Also, I am thinking about taking pictures in a new location. Here's a test shoot. Should I go with the new, or keep with what I'm already doing? Hrm...

Hrm, it's not as close-up with the details. Maybe I'll just have these for special cards. :)

I'm currently, as of right now, working on my hybrid card with Shell's kit, and re-doing my cousin's card, as it somehow had gotten wet when I stored it with the rest of my items. Boo. :T

"4 U"

I'm on a roll this week! :)

My cousin came over today and played Sims 3, and then we cut some stuff with the Cricut. After watching her cut some stuff, I decided I wanted to cut some stuff too!

I then couldn't figure out what card I wanted to make, so I pulled out the box of goodies she gave me last week, and went through it. My challenge for today was to choose 4 - 5 items from the box, and make a card with it.

I chose:
- the number 4.
- 2 blue buttons.
- 1 gray heart
- 1 flower

Here's my card:

I used Kraft cardstock, pattern paper "Apple Jack" by Sassafras, cut out the scalloped pennets with Martha Stewart cardstock on the Cricut.. I also cut the "U" on the Cricut with purple paper. Everything else listed above was either made by Lindy or was from her scrap collection. :)

It was also my first time using my sewing machine to sew on a card! I messed up the first time around, as I had the pennets hanging in a curve, but then again, the pattern paper was upside down! So this time around, I just lined up the pennets with the paper, and that was way easier.

I think I'm gonna be doing some more stitching!

Hope you enjoy!

Tough Guy + Sneak Peek

I'm currently borrowing my cousin's Paper Doll Dress Up Cart, and am having a blast making them!

I made a ballerina girl, and a princess one for my daughter to decorate her color box. haha. I didn't say that I turned them into cards! ;P

I did, however, decided to make a card. I wanted to make it kinda boyish, and this is what I came up with. :)

Excuse the horrible lighting! I stamped the sentiment twice, one on SU Whisper White cardstock, and the other on American Craft Pastels Cardstock. The AC cardstock didn't take on the ink too well, but I liked the look of it, and decided to keep it. :)

Sometime next week, I'll be turning this:

..into a dress for my daughter. :) I'm not going to use that ribbon, as it's not the red that I'm looking for. I'm probably going to have to go to Joann's or Michael's, to find the ribbon I want. I've decided to use ribbons for her straps, so that it could be adjustable. It'll be a dress now, and later on, it could be a top. :) The only thing about the ribbon straps is, that it'll probably will come undone a lot.. hmm..

Challenge Cards

Last Friday, I was able to spend the day with my cousin! I haven't seen her in MONTHS. I've been gone way too long, that when I came over, I so didn't recognize her crafting area! :) haha.

So, we made a few challange cards, and I got a few goodies. Because I need to get back into the groove with posting up more cards, let's start with these. haha.

Okay, I'm horrible, I do NOT remember the name of the paper packs we used for the challenge. Oops.

First challenge was to use this specific paper pack, and set of stamps. We were supposed to make 3 cards, and somehow I ended up with 2? What the.. what was I doing? haha. Probably watching The Simpsons? ;P

My first card was using the Owl stamp. I love that little thing! It was also my first time using the Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher! I didn't think I would like it, but OMGosh, I'm so gonna have to get myself one now! Awh, you enabler you..

The next card I chose this tree stamp. I'm really into tree stamps right now, even though I don't have any! Or.. at least I don't think so? I don't remember. I usually purchase, and throw them into the respective spots. haha! The phrase didn't stamp too well, but it reads "Bloom where you're planted".

The next challenge was to use Studio G animal stamps, and Sassafrass papers. I believe? haha. I really don't remember! :) We usually make two cards per design so we can give each other one card, and keep one for ourselves. I was in a rush, and.. well... check out the ribbon! I didn't noticed until AFTER I used the tiny attacher.. <3 btw!

Here's card number 2 for that same challenge. We had to use Crushed Curry from SU as the base for the card. Which btw, this picture does no justice for the actual color.  I was going to individually stamp each letter of "Roar" onto a square space, hence using the crossword paper. But that didn't turn out too well, so I just cut out the image of the lion and placed over it haha.

This card doesn't really count. I used Lindy's leftover scrap to turn it into a quick card. :)

We had a challenge to use her homemade "glimmer mist". Okay, I really don't remember what she called it, but that's what it reminds me of. haha. I decided to use it as a background accent. I actually used purple and red, but the red didn't turn out too well.

And whenever I visit, I always get goodie boxes, and samples! haha!! :) Thanks!

Fibers! I've been wanting to get some for awhile now!

More ribbons! I love, love ribbons!

Flowers, so pretty! I don't even want to use them. haha.

I also got some "sample batch" of her dyed seam binding ribbon. I haven't been able to use the other sample that she gave me, so I used it for the first time on the tree and hippo card, and absolutely LOVE it. I love the colors also, btw! Don't they just look DELICIOUS?!

And of course, the goodie box. I think I have gotten around 3 or 4 now? It's just basically her "scraps" haha! I'll take whatever! :) I mainly use some of them for my mini albums.

We also made a planner courtesy by Dawn McVey, found here. I was actually planning on making me a few of them, turning them into other useful things. She showed me hers, and then we made one together! She asked if I wanted a monkey on mine, and OF COURSE! :) It's so adorable. haha. I might have to add other embellishments to it.

That is all for today, I also got some candy! haha. I need to go through my items, and pull out my finished cards. I moved around my desk and craft items, and need to buy extra storage and re-organized everything. All of it is stuffed into boxes right now, and it's too much of a hassle to go through the boxes to get everything out to craft.

Happy Birthday pt 2.

Here's the 2nd installment in the Happy Birthday series! :)

(I'm missing a picture, will post it a little bit later.)

This picture is a little bit hard to see, but the scalloped square has stitches in it. I had planned on doing some stitching but decided not to. The bird was cut out using the Cricut and Sure Cuts A Lot.

This looks more like a card for a child then for a grown person! :) haha. I handwrote the happy birthday, because I was feeling a little lazy (shhh!) to stamp it individually with my alphabet stamps. Or, maybe I could've just said I wanted it to have a more "handmade" feeling to it. ;P

-----------------

Here's a sneak peek of what's the series for next week is. Please excuse the color scheme, it was meant for another card, but that didn't come through. And, the purple strip was perfect as the base. :D