Hi guys!

A very happy weekend to you! :D

I was experimenting with a couple of digital elements on Photoshop and I really wanted to play along with the Kraft+ Challenge this month, primarily because its Kraft, and I was pleasantly surprised at the number of free scrapbooking kit resources we have available online!

Scrapbooking Kits: Paper - Katie's Wish Set; Embellishments - Digital SB Ingredients Kit, Digi Tee Designs For the Love kit;

This scrapbook layout was made with all the free digital scrapbooking kits that I found online {and a couple of existing ones that I already had in my computer} and I do like what I came up with. I will be linking up the kits for your reference under the layout.

For this scrapbooking layout, I took inspiration from the lyrics of the song "Mamma Mia" by ABBA and the colours in my layout were inspired by the collage on their blog and their very talented DT Elisa's layout for this challenge!

And thanks to you guys, this song is *stuck* in my head forever!

Since I love designing graphics, I thought I should make a digital scrapbooking layout for this challenge. The best thing that I like about digital scrapbooking is probably the liberty you have to re-size almost everything, from paper to flowers! *LOL* 

This photo was taken in January 2014 in Kolkata, India when I visited the city for my last design module in school {I am an architect}. It is a *beatiful* place and while I am talking about it, I would also like to share a few shots I took while roaming around the streets there!

Oh, how much I love these buildings!

This is all for now!

--- Until next time! ---

Hi Guys!

How are you doing? 

I'm fine thanks for asking {I know you didn't ask *wink*}

So now after wiping myself out of the handmade world for a long long time, I'm slowly but steadily taking some time out each day to get back to crafting. It's going to take a while in order for me to get my schedule in place but working full-time made me realise that i was really missing my craft world. Also, being an architect simply added to my skill-set.

So I have been up and experimenting on Photoshop lately { graphic design }, making all sorts of different graphics. It started with me wanting to create a collage for my wall and the ideas simply started rolling in so I went with the flow!

So this minimalist graphic I created using flat colours. It was a sketch of mine that I turned into a graphic {because I knew it'll look better when digital - my sketching *sucks*}. It depicts emotionally abusive relationships in a simple graphic form. Made in on Photoshop {Maybe I can do tutorials later- no voice-over though!}

This is a set of a collage artwork that I made with a few of my photography I edited to make them black-and-white toned to go with the wall art. I really liked the raw dab-painted background effect back then!

 I made the bicycle poster as a set to go with my hot air balloon poster. I was trying my hand on sort-of "vintage" subjects turned into cool new-age posters. 

I also did sell them on my Etsy Store for a while!

Well, that's all for now. Just wanted to share a few of my gems *lol* with you guys!

--- Until next time! ---

Summers are here!

Yes I know, not EVERYONE likes the summers. But I'd rather have the heat killing me occasionally than sit swaddled in a blanket during winters.

So I was in the midst of watching a movie and I happen to put my coffee mug {no, it didn't have coffee for a change} on my super-white sketch book and started looking up movies I can watch on a Saturday night. 

And just when I glanced at my mug to take a sip of the mango smoothie, I went "wow"! All pretty colours working together {my obsession with grey refuses to let go of me!}.

So I clicked a picture of the set-up and played around in Photoshop to come up with a mood board for summers!

Well, that's all I have to share for today!

Also, slowly and steadily building my website 

check it out here!

And if you can spare a few moments, do check out my posts on Archize as well.

Archize is a news platform sharing everything from travel to design to architecture.

Follow them on Instagram here!

--- Happy Crafting! ---

Hello Crafters! :D

So as many of you know that I am in New York City for three months for my internship {training period} . Yes, it's AMAZING! And yes, it's expensive!

I was thinking of coming up with a series of posts for NYC Life on a budger { I will link it here once released!}

But before that, let's talk about my REAL experience and findings *winks*

Okay! So here's a list { and a little bit of information } about the craft stores I have visited in the city. I do have a few I am yet to review, I will be adding those to the list nevertheless.

{ CRAFT STORES IN NYC }

1) PAPER SOURCE

 Fair Warning: Do NOT  go to this store unless you're willing to spend some money because, believe it or not my friend, it's GOING to happen!

This store is full of quirky gifts, stamps + stamp sets from companies like Hero Arts, stamp pads, stickers and an amazing line of patterned papers {loved the ones with map of the city!}. You need to take two rounds of the entire store before you finally decide to pay at the checkout counter, or you would have missed something because there is just so much to offer!

There are a few locations in the city for the store {click here}. I went to the Spring Street one since it's the closest to work.

Discount - If you sign up on their mailing list on their website, you get a 10% off coupon :D

2) BLICK ART STORE

This is typically an art store {you get your canvas, papers, pens, brushes, paints and easels!} but they carry an awesome collection of stamps, paper packs, stationery and inks!

This place is a must-go for someone who won't mind LIVING in a craft store!

They have over 5 stores in the city {click here}

Discount - Again, go to the website and sign up to receive a 10% off your entire purchase!

3) MICHAELS

This is the CRAFT PARADISE! And I honestly truly with my entire heart MEAN it!

They have various sections for scrap-booking, card-making, wood work, art supplies, beads, yarn and pretty much everything!

They carry all brands starting from Studio G to Tim Holtz. You absolutely CANNOT miss this one if you are a true craft enthusiast in the city!

I visited the one near Chelsea Market but they have a few in Manhattan and in Brooklyn {click here}

Discount - They have great on-going sales on their website, and a dedicated COUPONS section. And I think almost every time you make a purchase, you get a 25% off coupon on a select regularly-priced item.

4) STAPLES

Okay, it's not exactly a craft store. It's more of a stationery store but they do carry an amazing selection of washi tapes, quirky folders, pens, brushes and paints. And the best part, they are everywhere! I mean, if you are in the city, you probably will find a staples location walking distance from your place {trust me, I've moved twice!}

Note - They also have a copy and print counter for easy prints :)

I think I have established that they have like a million outlets all over the city, click here to locate your nearest store.

Discount - They do have an online sign-up discount on their website. You can also go to the store and get a free membership card with which, you get perks like special discounted prices and added points.

Now a list of stored I haven't been to yet.

5) PAPYRUS

This is again a stationery store with a wide variety of note-cards and cards. They have amazing window decor {yes, I notice that}. And again, it's one of the stores you would not want to get out of.

They have over 10 stores all over Manhattan {click here}

Discount - I don't think they have a major discount system, they do have special prices and offers on their website though.

6)M and J TRIMMING

This place is really good for trims, laces, buttons, tassles and ribbons. They have a HUGE collection of those!

They only have one store in the city, but it's conveniently located and accessible from everywwhere, click here for location.

Discount - They have a clearance section on their website, don't think they carry any more discount.

7) PAPER PRESENTATION

This is a cute paper store  with beautiful cards and note-cards, stickers, stamps, washi tapes, albums, envelopoes, funky boxes and pens, They also offer laser-cutting and letter-press services.

They have a store located Downtown, click here.

Discount - They do not offer discounts.

That's it for now.

What's new on design front?

I a giving my blog a make-over :D

New logo, new design and everything else!

I have also collaborated with a friend of mine, Karan, to create Graphic Art Prints for the New York City Series :)

Please find them here.

--- Happy Crafting!---

Hey!

I am back (well, not exactly!) with another shadow box post! :)

This is a shadow box I made for one of my close friends (soul sisters) as something
to remember me by! 

Also, the frame I used for the box is an old old tray I kept saving up since I knew some day, in not-so-near future, I would be using it for a project *pat on the back kid*

Supplies:- Tray-Altered; Background-blue and white acrylic paints; Paper-white, red, mustard, brown and beige paper scraps; Embellishments- twig(mother nature!), pearls, white and silver glitter, mulberry flowers, yellow moss; Tools- butterfly punch(Martha Stewart), damask stencil, scissors(frey for grass);

 This was inspired by The Mirror Crack'd June Challenge to create a shadow box.

I chose a lot of bright summer-y colours to match our outfits from the photograph *wink*

I used a twig to hold the "hoardings" I created and connected them with chain-links with hand-doodled notes on each. I wanted to add a bit of "nature" in the layout and I guess I went over-board with the butterflies. But, I guess you can't have enough of those right?

And who doesn't like the glitter clouds? 

This is my all-time-favourite messy use and abuse of glitter! *happy dancing*

For the background I painted the tray with blue and white paint and heat-embossed the damask pattern using a stamp and white embossing powder. And of course clustered a LOTT of butterflies and mulberry flowers!

The project was inspired by Anything but a Card Challenge #48
and Frosted Designs Friday Challenge.

Now a little on personal end,

Okay so I have been super busy with my studies but I proudly announce to you my completion of the fourth-year in architecture school! I made it! (Okay yeah I need to chill, one more year to go! *sigh*)

So I have a month's break before the my training period starts so I am investing that time into building myself a website (with a domain name and everything *LOL*)

I have also been freelancing as a graphic designer, I know! Too much has been going on, and it made sense to finally enter the ETSY world now.
Check out my digital store *here*

Hopefully will be back soon with a few more updates!

--- Happy Crafting! ---