Tiffany is here!

Tiffany is a Singer. No, not the 80's pop sensation. Tiffany is what I call my recently purchased Singer 7258 Stylist computerized sewing machine. My decision to buy it was based on Amazon's flattering reviews, topped with the really cute colour which reminds me of a Tiffany box, hence the name. 

This machine is extremely adorable, reasonably priced and very easy to set up. Some of Tiffany's best features include an automatic threader, programmable needle position, and see through drop-in bobbin. It provides 100 built in stitches and also came with 10 presser feet - 10! I can't wait to try them all out. 

Tiffany is my new best friend and I'm sure we'll spend countless hours of crafting time together. 

Happy Sewing!

Welcome to Craftmates!

(from left to right) Aimee the crafty bedazzler, Virna the sassy sewer, Bebsy the cake designer and Irma the paper addict



From classmates to craftmates…

Three of us trace our friendship back to our carefree days in high school.  We have since gone our separate ways and led our own lives only to find each other again twenty or so years later.  This time with two added bonuses… we are somehow involved in some form of craft and we got to meet another amazing crafter friend along the way to complete our awesome foursome.

We are four friends who share a passion for anything handmade. 

We love making pretty things, planning parties and eating cake. 

We find joy in creating works of art for the people we care about.  

We make wonderful memories with our loved ones through the special things we create.

We look forward to spending Sunday Craftdays together to catch up on life,  do crafts and eat cake.

We are partners in craft.

We are craftmates.

Thank you for visiting us and we love to hear from you.

cake craft from bebsycakes

First multi-tiered cake I made
was for my son Lucas' 1st birthday 

I am the cake design enthusiast among the crafters here.  I kneaded my first batch of fondant in 2007 in preparation for my son's first birthday.  I did not go to pastry school, have no formal art training nor the time and resources to do either.  Everything I know I learned through the wonderful world of the internet, tons of books, both borrowed and bought, and hours of accidents and wastage in my kitchen.  I am a passionate hobbyist who takes pleasure in doing my time as a student of cake design.

Each cake I make is unique and custom designed for the individual it is for.  I love experimenting on structure and design, and unless specified by a client, every detail and design on my cake is edible.

The design aspect of cake making is what I am mostly proud of, but I make sure that all my cakes are tasty, fresh and delicious.  I do not use any type of cake mix, as I choose to prepare my babies from scratch.  No offense to the good people of Duncan Hines, but the value of time and effort spent on a cake can easily be seen and tasted.

Lucas' 5th birthday cake

I've created cakes that I am extremely proud of, and ones that are just, 'eh!', but there is always an interesting story or a fascinating inspiration behind each cake that I've done that gives me a bit of knowledge I can bring into play for my future projects. Duff, my personal cakegod once said, "If they say 'Wow! That cake sucks!', at least they said 'Wow!'".

I hope you join this fun ride with me and my talented girlfriends.

Welcome to craftmates!

Bebsy

virna: sassy sewer

I am the sewer among the craftmates on this blog. 

I love to sew because it relaxes me, keeps me focused and provides a soothing effect on me. At the same time, it gives me  a sense of challenge and accomplishment. When I am sewing a difficult project, I sometimes go through a gamut of emotions - frustration (when I can't figure out a pattern and I have to do math), anticipation (when I envision the finished project), disappointment (when it doesn't turn out the way I want it) , excitement and pride (when I finally see the end result). Nothing really beats the thrill of finishing a project and knowing that you've created something from your own hands (er….. machine). 

My recent owl plushie project

I got into sewing when my husband suggested that I take up a hobby. I didn't know what I wanted to do because I am a bit lazy (okay, I'm really lazy!). I love fabrics – the design, colour, feel and texture, so naturally, I gravitated towards sewing. I bought a sewing machine and signed up for a class.

My first sewing project was a disaster. I picked a pattern for a pajama bottom because I figured it was easy and simple to do. I was wrong! I had to rip out the stitches several times because I was sewing it the wrong way. By the time I was done, it looked like a rundown rag. My teacher said I should practice more (Duh!). I wore that pajama bottom proudly for two months until it started fraying and my husband asked me to throw it out.

I have since progressed to making bags and zippered pouches although I still consider myself a beginner sewer. My ultimate goal is to design and make my own clothes. I know that would be a long way off as I still have a lot to learn (and did I mention that I am lazy?!). For now, I enjoy sewing small and simple things. 

    

Cow girl costume I made for a farm-themed party

My recent projects include throw pillow covers, an owl plushie, and a coffee cozy from tutorials I found on the internet. I am grateful for these tutorials as they are an invaluable tool for newbie sewers like me. I hope that I will be able to one day share a tutorial on this blog.

Welcome to craftmates!

Virna

sprkl beads by aimee

I am the jewellery artist among  the craftmates on this blog.


I first got into beaded jewellery almost seven years ago when I moved to Canada.  My mom got me into "beads" because she felt I needed a creative outlet to soothe the anxiety that moving to a new environment brings.  Mom taught me the basics, i.e., stringing, wire bending, etc.  But for the most part, I taught myself through books and the internet.

Pretty soon my work proliferated so I started joining craft fairs and selling my wares through on-line shops such as Etsy & Big Red Bow and consignment stores like Nathalie-Roze.  I needed to give my new endeavor a brand so I came up with “Sprkl Beads”.    I still love my logo although I had long given up my website.

I am fortunate to have connected with three amazing crafters who share the same passion for anything handmade.   Through them, my interest in other art forms such as baking, sewing and paper crafts developed. 

Welcome to craftmates!


Aimee

irma: addicted to paper



One of the first layouts I made.
Isn't she a darling?



I am the paper crafter among the craftmates on this blog.  I work full time and deal with numbers and worksheets during the day. By night, after mommy duties are done, I can be found at my happy place, a.k.a. my craft room,  either putting together a scrapbook layout,  creating handmade cards or designing party decors. 

I am a scrapbooker first.  My love for paper (others call it addiction) started after I had my daughter in 2008.  As a new mom and while on maternity leave, I needed a creative outlet to keep me sane in between diaper changes and feeding.   And that’s when I discovered the wonderful world of die cutting.  I purchased my first baby Cricut machine from the Home Shopping Channel on that eventful day of Sept 9, 2009 (when they were having a 9/9/09 sale!).  And since then, I never looked back.  I have been creating layouts of my daughter’s special moments (and lately our everyday moments) for the last 3 years. 



Here is a layout using some products from Papertrey.
My current scrapbooking style is clean and simple with fun elements thrown here and there. 



A set of cards I recently made for a dear friend



In the last year or so, I have discovered a wonderful company called Papertrey Ink.  I have since been using a lot of their products (and inspirations from their amazing design team and forum members)  to create handmade cards (and  layouts, too).  While I love scrapbooking more, I also find  joy in making cards knowing that I get to see the finished product faster (talk about instant gratification!) and that my card will brighten someone else’s day. You see, I make layouts for ME but I make cards for others.



Loot bag contents from my daughter's birthday party



Prettified milk bottles



My paper crafts also make a lot of appearances on parties and get-togethers.  My daughter’s birthday parties are a showcase of all things handmade (intentionally or unintentionally... I get carried away sometimes!).  It is true what they say... handmade is best! 



Hand-made backdrop for the ballerina make-over party



Welcome to Craftmates!

NOTES:
Supplies (Papertrey unless otherwise specified):

• Little Princess Layout – Some early paper packs I owned (cannot remember the name anymore), Lace, ribbon and buttons from Fabricland
• Sweetheart Layout – Label Basics stamp, Heart border die, Iconic Images stamp, Framed Out #1 die, Distressed Dots paper, Martha Stewart cardstock, Cricut for the title
• Card Set – Botanical Silhouettes stamp, Hero Arts Say It All stamp

meet the craftmates

(LtoR above) Aimee: crafty bedazzler, Virna: sassy sewer, Bebsy: cake artist
Irma: paper addict

Papertrey May Blog Hop Challenge

For the first time, I am participating in Papertrey's blog hop challenge (and in any challenge for that matter).


It is a once a month event that allows crafters to share their creation based on an inspiration photo. And here is this month's inspiration photo.  When I saw it, it immediately reminded me that I have to get going on my father's day card.  The color scheme is perfect for a masculine card.

Here is the card I came up with.  I used the photo's color scheme and used PTI's Simply Chartreuse and Smokey Shadow (did not use black as I want it a little softer).  I also incorporated some circles and black and white pattern.  I used one  of my go-to stamp sets for masculine cards, PTI's Grunge Me.

While I had my supplies out, I also made a similar card for an uncle who will be celebrating his birthday soon.

Thanks for stopping by!  As you may have noticed, our blog is at its early stages.  I share this blog with 3 of my close friends who happen to be crafters as well (how cool is that?). We need to do some more housekeeping to get this up and running but I cannot pass up the chance to participate in this month's challenge.