Sunday, October 23, 2011

GUEST BLOGGER OF THE MONTH-OCTOBER

Hi all,
my guest blogger for this month is priya from Color conceptions.She is a multi-talented lady,and a chennai blogger,yay its nice to meet people from same place through blog land which otherwise would have not happened.
Read through her interesting interview,and she shares a special tutorial for making a felt flower here.Finally,leave some love for my guest,and if you are interested in being a featured blogger here,please mail me to kavi_kalalayaa@yahoo.co.in with a link back to your blog.Do not leave the interest in the comment section,i am unable to get the link to some of the blogs,so mail me and i will get back to you.



1.Please feel free to introduce yourself and share a little something about yourself.
Hello, I am Priya from Chennai, India.. I am married to a handsome husband and a mom of 5 year old adorable boy.My hubby is the best critique of my works and if he likes it, I know it is a hit!!I had been working with a reputed software company but had given up the job for my kid and to pursue my interests.I like to try my hand at any art or craft and my interests keep changing often..:)
Now,I love blogging..oz I get to meet lot of people, make some friends and witness huge talents and have fun!!
2.Do you have a blog?when did you started blogging?share some of your blogging experience with us.
Yes..!!Started my blog in Nov 2010 and here is my blog ColorConceptions.I had wanted to start a blog for longtime..But did not have time.. After I quit my job last year, I was browsing and visited many art and craft blogs.They are my real inspirations , that urged me to start a blog immediately. Kavitha’s blog was one of such early inspirations.Blogging is all about getting inspired and inspiring.It is fun and great way to connect with people having same interest.. !!
In this journey,
3.When did you discover the crafting talent in you?

I could nt say exactly when…as early as I could remember, I had been passionate about arts and crafts.And every relative and friend of mine would have atleast one of my works with them.. :).


5.For how many years have you been in this field of art n craft? Share some memorable moments with us.

I remember, I used to take my drawing book everywhere and drew car,bus..etc and whatever I see, when I was 5.Later my drawing interested subdued and my craft interests raised its head till school days..Then was busy with studies, job, marriage, kid.. till I forwent my job..:))

6.Is crafting is your profession? If yes, what makes to choose it, do you think is a good profession in India?

As of now, it is a hobby! Would love to take it for a profession. But I doubt, me becoming crafting professional any sooner !!

Crafting can be good profession , provided you are much dedicated , know the pulse of market ,give your best and value for money to the customers ,meet deadlines. Teaching crafts can also be taken up as profession.

7.In what type of crafts/paintings you deal with, which is your most favorite work?

I mostly make cards now, as you can do one in a jiffy(for regular blogposts J) , does nt need lot of patience, get to try a lot of new techniques. At times, my painting interests come back and do 1 or 2 paintings.. I make Tanjore painting, Acrylic painting, glass painting,Coffee painting,ceramic painting,Mehandi,quilling, soft toys,decoupage, Kerala murals, M-seal mural, epoxy mural and many of that sort…I love my Tanjore paintings the most.

8.From where did you get your ideas/inspirations for your art?

I get inspirations from magazines,blogland and google .Ideas can pop up from anything,anytime,anywhere..!! I just put in the back of mind, what I need and go on..One fine moment, yurekah! The bulb glows and that is when I get my ideas..

9.What do you consider as your strength and weakness in crafts?

My Strength is , when I am seriously into some craft/ art I give full attention and enjoy making it to the core! Weakness is, when I lose interest, I set aside the project and God knows when I will work back on it!!

10.What is your success mantra?

Give your best and enjoy doing it!

11.Which is your favorite art works of yours till date and why? pls share us the picture of that art.

Tanjore paintings are my most favorite art work till date and this Yaal Ganesha is so special.I wanted to try a not so common piece, once I saw the sketch, I jumped into making it.( Yaal is a musical instrument used centuries ago and our tamil poets describe," its music is the sweetest of the sounds.."!!)My in-laws are hoarding it now!.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_qdK2x8EZHRY/TSCwKZFi1uI/AAAAAAAAAQo/zrQjSVAEjRM/s1600/tanjore+Ganesha.jpg

12.Who is your favorite crafter and why? Do you have any role model?

There are so many of crafters, Indian and foreign, who are my favorite….coz, I find something good in each one of them.. Most Favorites are of them are Jennifer Mc Guire, Gina K, Dawn McVey,Niki Estes,Teresa Collins,Kristina Werner

13.Do you have any dream project?

Interior decorating my dream home is one dream project!I have so many.. If I complete all of them , I will be the best artist/crafter in town!! J

14.What is your future plans in crafting?

My future plan is to open up a shop to sell my art/craft works.. But I have nt set a deadline for it yet!!

15.Thank you so much for spending some time to answer my questions, finally please share some useful tips for new budding bloggers

Thanks Kavi for choosing me as a Guest blogger!, I really enjoyed answering the questions too...

Try learning simple things first.. when you are comfortable, move to next level.

Try different techniques and see what you excel in! Make it your style.

Give out your best in whatever you do.

All the very best for budding crafters and thanks for reading patiently about me..:)







I thought I would make a tutorial common for both card makers and crafters.. So here I am presenting you the Kanzashi flowers..They can be made in satin cloth, ribbon,velvet and paper too..

Take felt in 2 colors(can be done in single color too)




Cut small squares with it.. need not be perfect, you can also try with circles.. it gives a different flower :)



Fold the squares in half



Join the below two ends




Secure the folds with safety pins





After it is done for all the 8 pieces, Sew them one by one ,removing the pins



Sew together the last petal with the first one and knot it below



Fill the center with button or brad or any other embellishment. Finally, the Kanzashi flower!! Is nt it gorgeous?!!



Here is some of the beautiful works from priya..





Friday, October 21, 2011

CARD PATTERNS SKETCH#137

Hi all,
here is a super quick post to share my card for this week's card pattern's sketch.Generally i don't post at this time,but today was too busy with shopping n other stuffs,and i don't want to miss on this challenge..so here is my card.Off to sleep,see you all soon with guest blogger of the month post,till then keep guessing:)




Cupcake Craft - Buttons and Bows
Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - Lace
Crafty Ribbons -Ribbon and Lace
Paper Play – Use Black





Happy crafting,

Thursday, October 20, 2011

MDUC#118 SKETCH

Hi friends,
thank you all so much for the sweet comment on my previous post,all of you all are so shocked to see a CAS card in my blog,lol.So,i am here with my usual style card,..love how it turned out.
This is based on this week's sketch at MDUC,its just fab n i badly wanted to give it a try.Lot of new products have been used,first is cherryleen doily dies,the ready made doilies are either too big or too small which doesn't suit for the cards and this one is perfect in size.Its very intricate,so i have to run it at least 4 to 5 times in the machine to get it right,but worth the effort.Next is basic grey jovial paper pack,oh ful of bright n bold papers n i am loving it.The large daisy flower is from prima which i bought long back,but i never had heart to use them,they are so so pretty.And finally look at the acrylic shoe charms..isn't it gorgeous?i got from crafty emma store when i won a 10gbp gift certificate in a challenge.








Fab 'n' Funky - distressed or torn
Crafty Ribbons - Ribbon and Lace
My Time To Craft - Punches & Dies
Sweet Stamps - Lots of Layers
Bunny Zoe's Crafts - Lace
Cupcake Craft - Buttons and Bows


Happy crafting,

Monday, October 17, 2011

CAS CARDS

Hi peeps,
happy monday.Last week has been super lucky for me,n i have lots of things to share with you all:).First is i got top 3 spot in 3 of the challenges,in CRAFT challenge n glitter geeks for my easel step card and in craft your days away for pretty in pink tag,i am super excited:).

Second is i am the featured crafter in Craftsia this week,check out my interview HERE.

I am having a give away in my Facebook page,look out for the details in sidebar---->

P.S:I am having some awesome papers for sale in my Craft store,do have look HERE.
Link

LinkLinkSo finally i have a shocking news for you all,lolz..yes i tried some pure CAS cards for crafty jc challenge-simplicty.Ok,simplicity is not my style,but i wanted to give it a try for this challenge.As i said earlier,i love trying things in which i am not comfortable,..but after making these cards i really become comfortable with this style n started loving it,and if i continue making CAS cards,i will become lazy to do layered cards i guess..these are super easy n quick.
For the first card,i clear embossed the hero art flower design on white card stock n distressed it with some pastel shade ink pads.Isn't the flowers are gorgeous?,now this stamp becomes my most favorite:).Some pearls,twine n pie lane button to finish the card.





For this card i used hero arts antique engraving butterfly stamps(again my fav,..i just love all the hero art stamps) n sentiments stamps..easy peasy one,the circle frame is done with plain circle nesties




Very minimal use of stuffs,so nothing more to explain...but i love the end result.Please leave your feed back as i am curious to know:)


Happy crafting,

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Love you...

Hi all,
hope you had a great start to the week.This card is based on this week's Case study challenge,i so love the stamping n colors,n decided to give it a try.As usual this is a last minute entry,phew i couldn't do it before that no matter how hard i try.The damask stamp in the background is from my mind's eye lost n found collection,i love this set so much to good for the money.The butterfly is from hero arts(again my fav). The corrugated heart n panel is made with kraft card Linkstock n crimper,i so love the effect ,i wonder why i haven't used it before.The music sheet pattern paper is from echo park,the glittery heart is done with pine lane pixie dust glitters,some mulberry roses,hat pin,button,twine n lace to finish the card:).






Ok,..i may sound over excited but i want to show this stamped panel separately as it gets covered in the card.This is the first time i am trying repetitive stamping,i have done once before but that is with measuring the stamps,making blocks n stamping inside.This is done directly without making any blocks,just with eye measurements,so i am proud of myself,lol.


As i said i am over excited,..i tried some more too..so what do you think about my stamping??do i have a future in it?:)))
Challenges entered:
Heart Song Inspirations - Use Die Cuts and/or Sponged Backgrounds
Karens Doodles - Distress It
I Did It Creations - Anything Goes
One Stitch At A Time - Anything Goes
Simon says stamp n show: Things with wings
Crafty pad:Vintage




Happy crafting,

Saturday, October 8, 2011

EASEL STEP CARD

Hi all,
i am so excited to share this project today.I saw this type of folding card 2 weeks back in THIS BLOG and i almost fainted,what an amazing card it is,the best card i have seen so far.This looks like both easel n step card combined together,but dont know the name exactly,and i googled it n after a long research with trying different names finally i found the tutorial,yay...here is the LINK.

Looks like complicated,but super easy n fun,i am loving this.As you all know i love to add lot of details till the last space is left in my card,lolz..and these type of folding cards have lots of space to add on details,so with out any more ramblings here are the pictures for you to enjoy:))).















Challenges entered:
Card Makin' Mamas - fancy/more than 1 fold
Glitter Geeks - flower power
Paper Crafting Journey - Die cuts and/or a punches
C.R.A.F.T. - Bright Colours
ICR11-easel card+basic shapes(square)

Link

Happy crafting,