You Say Jump Jump

Instagram is a good place to 'store' journalings for your photos, a very good place indeed. I took the journaling for this layout straight from the caption of the very same photo of me looking like an idiot that I posted earlier this month. LOL.

Confession : I love that photo so much I want to enlarge it and hang it on my wall. Ha! Self-centered much? :P

Almost all my layouts nowadays begin in Photoshop, I played around and added the 'yes please' + curly arrow brush from my old Studio Calico digital stuff collection, typed out my journaling then added 'this is what it's all about' digital stamp.

Once I printed out everything on the white cardstock, I made a cut file (you say) from one of the .png in Ali's I, We, You brush pack, cut it once in yellow and once in white so that I can layer them and have that 'shadow' effect that I love so much but always thought of it once I have packed the Cameo away. Me = lazy. :D

I also used the fun homespun alpha stamp set by Becky Novacek for Illustrated Faith for the second part of my title and finished my layout with bits and pieces from Pink Fresh Studio august kit and some older puffy stickers from my embellishments bin. 

xo

Well, hello morning

So what are you? A morning person or a night owl?

I'm neither. Most days, I only function after several coffees and before 10.30pm, for real. I'm turning 37 this year and I still go to bed at around 10 almost every day. I dread waking up every single morning, grateful for sure to be alive another day but oh man! I don't wanna leave my bed! Ha!

Nidhi, on the other hand, jumps outta bed singing her heart out. It used to be Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga but right now, she's all about Melanie Martinez. While she sings, I bury my head under my pillow trying to deny the arrival of morning. LOL.

I totally made the 'hello morning' digital brush the focal point of my layout. I like doing that with digital brushes - I feel like half of my layout is done! I also added the black splatters digitally. Just one of the beauty of hybrid scrapping, I tell you. 

Once I printed out the title and journaling, I started adding 'real life' (lol!) embellishments onto my layout. That owl chipboard from October Afternoon is just so cute, don't you think? In true Sasha style, I stitched everything down onto a bright pink pp, added a yellow date tab and used my Little Things clear stamp just because I cannot resist my Story Stamp collection. Not at all. I just wanna use them on every single layout! :)

xo

Build A Life You Love

Build a life you love. 

Easier said than done, in my opinion but I'm glad I have these people along for the ride. My life is definitely much more meaningful (read : crazy, busy, loud. Haha!) with them around. 

Build a life you love. I try my best. Everyday. I hope the girls will notice that.

I work in Photoshop (always!) and used the Build digital stamp as my stitching template again. How could I not. That word art is so fun! (and I miss hand stitching on my layout, I admit!) I measured and left some empty space for my photo before I printed a very faint outline (20% gray) of the stamp onto the white cardstock, then I pierced and stitched as per normal. 

Once I'm done, I added my photo, the 'roof' of the 'house' and the ampersand clip, the two enamel hearts, and a 'Be Happy' Flair from A Flair For Buttons which I layered with a sun sticker from October Afternoon Summertime. 

I used my Little Things story stamp (not digital) for that last sentence, then I added the metal Making Memories 'laugh' tag and the potty people wood veneer from Studio Calico. Are those considered vintage already? Ha! I'm running out of the little potty people and I'm quite sad!

Lastly, I sprinkled some happiness, oops, I mean colored mist onto the layout, layered the whole thing onto a piece of wood patterned paper and I'm done!

xoxo

Guest Designing for Pink Fresh Studio

I accepted the invitation from Kinnari to play with Pink Fresh Studio's August kit and Happy Things collection way back when Happy Things collection was still being designed. I saw one photo of a patterned paper and said yes! :) That's how much I love Pink Fresh Studio's stuff!

I've been subscribing to their kits since January, loving them all and August did not disappoint. If you're like me, their embellishment kit is the way to go. Given a choice, I would part with 95% of my patterned paper and will still be able to scrap and stay true to my style. Embellishments and stamps, however are a whole different story, and why I'm subscribed to Pink Fresh and Story Stamp by Ali Edwards. 

#thestoryofmylife

Almost always the photographer, even when being photographed. :)

My brother-in-law took this photo of me taking photos of Neha at the abandoned house next door. I thought it’s perfect for this layout. 

I stamped #thestoryofmylife repeatedly using  various shades of black and grey ink. Love how that turned out. I’m also a little bit obsessed with black and white at the moment, that Doodle Borders patterned paper from Happy Things collection is totally made for me. LOL.

I also scattered some of the acrylic xs on my layout. I can’t get over how beautiful they are. 

Love The Details

Look at that Doodle Borders patterned paper being the star of my layout again! I used the 12x12 this time and made it the background of my layout, making sure that my white cardstock is cut smaller so that more of that beautiful piece of paper can be shown off. 

I cut apart the labels and stitched them back onto the layout, using what else but yellow thread. I love machine stitching with yellow thread. Don’t ask me why, I just love the way it looks. 

Another current love of mine on this layout is the (Happy Things collection) black glittery foam word sticker. I’m totally  gonna be using up the rest of my pack and will be ordering more! :) I also used up all the hearts from (Happy Things collection) puffy stickers pack. I love scattering small bits of embellishments that way, they make me, well, happy! :)

The journaling is quite private for this one so I wrote it on the back. :) 

I have lots left from the box Kinnari sent me (thank you K!) . . . and I know I will enjoy them for a long time to come!

xo

This Broke My Heart A Little

Yes, my 'baby' is turning 13 soon and she shares my bed whenever Sam is not around. I kinda like it, really. I kinda want her to keep doing that for many more years to come. 

The other day I offered, and she declined ever so graciously, half asleep, but still, she said 'I think I'll sleep here. Thank you though." 

I thought "Good! I can have the bed to myself!" Haha! Then I went to my room and tossed and turned the whole damn night. LOL. I missed her before bed endless chatter the most. Endless as in she will fall asleep mid sentence, or I drift into dreamland halfway into her many stories. 

I printed my own strip of patterned paper - it's actually a 3x8 digital journal card from the Week In The Life Bundle but I like it so much (that yellow!) I'm using it as patterned paper. I altered it a little before printing by digitally stamping << this >>.

I stamped 'This Day in History' (because really, she never say no when invited to my room! haha!) from my Story Stamp set (Roots), added a flair from A Flair For Buttons, some enamel dots, a little enamel frame from my June Pink Fresh Studio Kit and various older stuff from my Studio Calico stash to complete the layout. 

And oh, after I photographed this layout (in her room because that's the only room in the house with good sunlight) I forgot to take it down. She read it, and came to me and said "I'm here to unbreak your heart, mom!" LOL. Turned out she didn't even remember declining my invitation. *sigh* :)


xo

Happy Is What You Make Me

If your blogger username is 'Young' and you left a comment on this giveaway, you might wanna check the post to see if you win anything. Please email me by August 7th or I will have to pick another winner :)

I took a little break from Ali Edwards Digital Creative Team to spend June school holidays with the family - fasting month - getting back to work after one month - celebrating Eid (yup, one after the other!), but now I'm back! Eid is still being celebrated, but we're (or I (the anti-social) am, actually) more or less done. Work is great, kids in school and I no longer feel like I wanna die at the end of each day. Ha!

Here's one layout I made and didn't manage to post here before the madness.

Those girls of mine. Even when at times, they make me wanna bang my head on the wall out of sheer frustration, they're still the ones who make me happy. Still the ones to be doing silly things with. Still my best travel companions!

If you have known me for a while, you'd have seen that photo of the girls before. You'd exclaim "They've grown so much!". I'm glad to have been friends, online and real life with all of you for that many years, that you have seen my girls move from playgroup/kindergarten to secondary school. I hope you'll be around to see them become responsible adults too. Now I feel old. Haha! Sob! Sob!

I printed 'Happy Is What You Make Me' from Ali's Totally Amazing digital brush pack onto a small manila shipping tag, then rummaged my tubs for scrap papers and embellishments to build the layers. For about 8 out of 10 layouts, this is what I do and enjoy. I like finding potential in the pile of scrap papers. Yes, I said potential. ;)

I used a few Story Stamps (Daily and Little Things) to add some real (I mean not digital) stamping straight onto the white cardstock as well. While I get the digital stuff for free for being on the team, the Story Stamp subscription is totally mine, purchased with my own money. I have been a subscriber since the beginning and hope to be able to support Ali for a long time coming.

I added the XOXO rub on from Pink Fresh Studio January Kit, some old puffy stickers from Amy Tangerine, a bow from Crate Paper, enamel dots and of course, mist splatters and yellow machine stitching before I'm done with the layout. 

As usual, I'm available via email or Instagram if you have any questions. I'm long-winded but also a scatterbrain so there's a chance I missed something here despite the long rambling of a post. 

xo

Must Have Jawline

My new sketch is up on the October Afternoon blog! :)

Still in love with triangles, as you can see below. I think I kept pretty close to the sketch overall. Of course, there are a few changes in size and placements but the triangle paper (the one I look at as main element of this layout) is in its designated place :)

I used my Summertime favorite yet again! That Heatwave patterned paper is not gonna get wasted around here. I guess the graphic look is what draws me to it every single time. 

I layered a tiny slice of Blue Skies pp (B side) below one side of my triangle, a little strip of that beautiful True North paper from Treasure Map and stitch them down together to my background cardstock. Machine stitching is a great way to save on adhesive! 

I also opted to stamp 'Photos Enclosed' instead of the date as shown in the sketch. 

Beside Daily Flash Red Wagon and  Meringue (B side), I added some Daily Flash embellishments (Snapshots Tin Pin, All Boy Snap Cap). 

I hope I've inspired you to use this sketch! Tag me @sashafarina if you play along. I'd love to see your take on it. If you don't have time to scrap, you can always pin this sketch for future reference or browse #octoberafternoon on Instagram for even more inspirations!

Happy 'almost' weekend!

Feeding Frenzy

Hi everyone!

I have a 'scraplift yourself' challenge up on the October Afternoon blog today and I'm sharing the layouts here as well.

I posted this layout sometime last year - click for original post.

Here's a new layout based on You Can Take Me Anywhere ♥

Similar but different. 

I wanted to move away from the romantic tone of the earlier layout, so this layout uses a lot of Summertime  and Treasure Map papers and embellishments.

I also did not use every single piece of the 'waves' I cut on B side of Puffy Clouds pp, those open spaces are perfect for mist splatters and some stickers here and there. Like the older layout, I used the curved lines of the paper pieces to guide my title placement. Sidenote : how cute (and perfect for my layout) is that 'Splish Splash' tin pin? 

I must admit, I thought I'd feel a little meh about this new layout because I adore the old one so much but hey! I love this one too. Two different layout with two different mood, if you know what I mean. :) Scraplifting myself was fun!

Now it's your turn! :) Tag me @sashafarina if you play along!

Happy lifting! 

xoxo

Bike Ride? Yes Please

Now that I'm alive again, I have an October Afternoon sketch for you. Food poisoning sucks, big time. Really. I had two episodes of food poisoning in the same number of weeks. How is that even possible? I cook my own food, well, except those cupcakes I bought, but I've never been 'poisoned' by a cupcake before. Haha! I didn't believe it at first, so I ate another cupcake when I felt better after the first time. I don't think it's 'poison' literally though, they must have something in there that just doesn't agree with my tummy. 

What an interesting first paragraph. I hope you're still reading. LOL.

Here's the sketch I was talking about :)

Here's my take on the sketch using two photos from our first ever long bike ride. Long is subjective here of course. We only did 27km/16.7miles - but at that time, it was such an achievement especially for Nidhi! :)

Loving the huge triangle, I have mine almost exactly where it is on the sketch but flipped it upside down. I felt like this little change suits my layout better. I added two squares of paper that I cut from Summertime Blue Skies PP making it look like I have four photos instead of two.

I also 'quilted' on Summertime Heatwave PP because to be frank, I've wanted to do that from the first time I laid my eyes on that paper. I just love it so much. 

I stamped part of my title on one of the label from Summertime Double Take stickers. 'Good Times' and 'June' tab came from the same pack. And finally, a tin pin! I mean, how adorable is that bike? Ours didn't have a basket on it obviously but I can't resist adding that little tin pin to my layout. 

Three bicycles on this layout, six if you count ours. Every summer has a story. Ours is all about bike rides. What's yours? 

I hope you'll have time to play with the sketch. Tag me if you do. I'm @sashafarina on Instagram. I usually post sneaks and my layouts with #octoberafternoon in the description. 

Happy scrapping!

Bluebird Chic Camera Strap Review and Giveaway *CLOSED*

ETA : Young! You're the lucky winner for this giveaway! I know you will enjoy your camera strap. Please get in touch with me as soon as you can. Email address on the left side bar. Congratulations!!


Hey everyone!!

Leah of Bluebird Chic (Affiliate link) and I have been online friends for quite some time. That lady, let me tell you, is so creative and talented and she works non stop. I'm so proud to see her business growing by leaps and bounds over the years. I have been using one of her camera straps for a while now, so when she invited me to be one of her Brand Ambassadors, of course I jumped at the chance!

As ambassador, Leah let me pick one strap for myself, give one away and offer you a discount code. How sweet is that deal? :) It took me a while to decide, but really, that was just me big fickle. I already know I wanted 'Skip To My Lou' the first time I laid eyes on it. It has triangles! Sasha + triangles = always a good pairing :) It is also red in color, which is perfect because my clothes are black + grey + jeans, most of the time. I love that pop of red against my very basic fashion choices. 

Beside being oh so pretty, I need the strap to help relief some pressure on my neck. Hello tofu neck. I absolutely cannot use the strap that came with my camera, I have to have some sort of padding on my strap at all times. I was doing fine with my old Bluebird Chic Rainbow Chevron strap, really.

Then this new scarf camera strap arrived in my mailbox. 

Oh.Em.Gee!!

It's so soft and comfortable like you wouldn't believe! I tried it both ways and it works like magic. I can't even feel the weight of my camera anymore. When worn across my body, the camera is so stable that I do not worry about it swinging out and hitting anything next to me when I move.

      

I tried having Neha take my photos, y'know, instead of a mirror selfie, but I didn't like the quality of the phone photos as much as I love these. And I really love taking photos of myself, haha!

How do you like my new camera strap? 

Gorgeous eh? :)

As I said earlier, Leah is letting me offer you a generous 20% off any strap of your choice. 

Code : SASHAfarina (valid from June 29th until July 13th 2015)

Do you want a chance to win a strap of your own?

Between June 29th to July 6th, just visit BlueBird Chic to choose your favorite, then come back here and post it in the comment section. Comment is moderated (I hate spammers), and I will close the comment section before I choose the winner randomly. As long as you're able to leave a comment, you're in. :) This post will be edited to announce the winner shortly after I close the comment.

Good luck and I'll see you soon!

xoxo

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive some commission if you make a purchase using this link. Opinions however, are my own. Thank you for your support!

HK Disney

A new sketch is up on the October Afternoon blog! I'm sharing my sketch and layout here, then you can hop over there to see Jill's fabulous layout :)

How's your summer coming along? The girls and I have the whole month of June off school and work. A month sounded like forever when we discussed it in May, but now, we're already in the last week of our holiday! Time flies when you're having fun they say? So true!   

I used that bold B side of Fresh Fruit PP as a background and cut apart my white cardstock before stitching them back together on top of it. I've done this before and will be doing this again for sure. I love how you can see bits and pieces of the background paper through the gaps. 

I finished my layout with some a variety of embellishments from Summertime, an old brad from Travel Girl collection, an arrow chipboard and of course, a sprinkling of colors all over my layout. 

I hope you will give this sketch a spin!

Happy scrapping!