Every time I receive a request for a particular photobook design, I make it clear my handmade items aren't recreated.. can't be recreated and are actually individually crafted pieces.

And somehow, this particular theme is the most loved from all the photobooks I've done to date. I keep my general base the same, inspired by printmaking, I have stamped elements across the ground.

I love using Stationer's Desk for this by Prima Marketing, Inc. Absolutely gorgeous prints. The flowers and blooms are from my stash. The rest are stamped elements I have fussy cut, and the detailing in the center is with my dies and distress ink. 

I love adding a touch of gold to albums like these to celebrate the occasion, this particular photobook was ordered to gift a friend on her anniversary. A beautiful gesture, that deserves a little gold touch.

The inside has gold sentiments and imagery heat set in embossing powder. There's a pocket with the inner cover that holds note cards that coordinate with the paper collection.

Sunkissed Friends

I have an undying love for flowers, which I'm certain is evident in my work. I also have a love for Prima Marketing Inc's collections... this one in fact is a few years old. And the reason I used it, is because Sunkissed is an absolutely warm and happy set of prints and designs... kinda perfect to get you through winter time!

I had been pining to create a piece with yellows and warm tones as well as these adorable sunflowers.
I crafted this Photobook as a keepsake. It's alo...ng the lines of my Dahlia Photobooks... Comes with a few tags, and there's an embossed image on each alternative page within :)

I love the result of scattered gold embossing as well. I dusted the leaves and blooms with gold dust and heat set. The center is a series of layers and die cuts, all embossed and inked with my favorite shade of Distress Ink, Wild Honey. The butterflies are fussy cut. And of course, the details are visible in the photos!

Some elements are from the Sunkissed Collection, including the chipboard embellishments and notecard inserts.

I initially created this to take part in a challenge over at the Artful Crafting blog, the post has been long due in the middle of my perpetually crazy, busy life *hides face*

Firefly Girl Studio Classes November Session

The classes are back, and they're going to be awesome inshaAllah!  Just in time for you to have fun creating during the winter holidays!

Some classes have two sessions, so we're flexible on timings/dates for you.
Each class must be signed up and paid for 4 days prior to it's first session, to allow preparation of materials and course outlines/worksheets.
Classes marked with an asterisk * signify Prima Art Educator classes for the first time in Pakistan!

Yes, Prima inspired classes by me for all the local crafters! :) So if you wonder how we can attend those classes like they show on the Prima Facebook Page or Blog, seek no further, you're going to join em with me and we'll get to use some of the newest and coolest Prima product releases out in the market.

Classes are in Karachi, Phase 5 DHA.

These classes will surface for online sessions starting 24th December.

To REGISTER, please email fireflygirl.studioclasses@gmail.com with the Class and Session you are interested in joining! :)

Basics and Design.
 2 hr class.
 1500/-
 Compositions and Aesthetics
 Essential tools.
 Basic crafting techniques
 Exercise to assist topics covered.
This class is essential to those new to Paper Crafting, or feel they lack the essential foundation to make their work stand out. We cover Basic Design, compositions, introduce you to varying products across available in the market, local fixes, and talk to you about what is worth investing in, and where you can kick start your paper crafting passion.
12th of November
 Session One: 11-1
 Session Two: 3-5


Inkology.
 3 part class.
 4200/- or 1700/- each
 Introduction to types of Inks
 World of Distress
 Mists and Sprays
 Alcohol Inks
Conclusive written test, access to mentioned products and practical application.
Inkology covers the core to the world of paper crafts and mixed media through various inks, stains and other media. The 3 part class covers the different inks, their properties, their uses and practical application. We explore the techniques apt to each ink type, discuss product alternates and test their uses, incorporating them into our projects. This is more theoretical, and vital to anyone wanting to increase their knowledge to explore paper crafting with an intense approach.
 Limited Seats.
13th of November
 Types of Inks, their uses, their properties
 Session One: 11 to 1
 Session Two: 5 to 7
14th of November
 World of Distress (Using Ranger Inc, Tim Holtz products: inks, stains, and more . Different techniques and uses, experimental approach)
 Session One: 3 to 5.30
 Session Two: 6 to 7.30
15th of November
Mists and Sprays, Alcohol Inks
 Session One : 11-1
 Session Two: 3-5

Stampology
 3 hr class.
 2000/-
 Heat Embossing
 Powders and Pearls
 Rendering Stamped images
 Must take Inkology as a prior module.
 Conclusive test, access to mentioned materials and practical application.
 Limited Seats.
 Studying stamping techniques, types of stamps and the variety of projects possible to produce.
17th of November
 Types of Inks, their uses, their properties
 Session One: 11 to 2
 Session Two: 4 to 7

Introduction to Mixed Media with Finnabair Art Essentials and Prima*
 3 hr class.
 3000/-
 Basic materials & techniques inclusive of art mediums, color sprays, stencils and more
 Practical application
 Learn to use Prima’s Art Essentials, learn to layer, explore various mediums, and apply them to collages and mixed media art pieces.
16th of November
 Session One : 11-2

Mixed Media Art Journal*
 with Finnabair and Prima
 3 hr class
 5000/-
 Create your own Mixed Media Art Journal
 Materials provided. Additional materials based on preference to be acquired.
 16th of November
 Session One: 4-7

Mixed Media Art Tile*
 With Finnabair and Prima
 3 hr class
 5000/-
 Create your own Mixed Media Art Art Canvas 8x8 inches in size
 Materials provided. Additional materials based on preference may be acquired.
18th of November
 Session One: 3-6

Polaroid Inspired photo Holders*
2 hr class
 2500/-
 Make and Take
 Materials provided. Additional materials based on preferred project may be required.
Create adorable photo holders to don your special moments. You will create a set of 3 photo holders and will create the coordinating embellishments to match. All materials, including Prima products provided.
18th of November
 Session One: 11-1
20th of November
 Session Two: 4-6

The Ornate Shadow Box*
 3 hr class
 6500/-
 Make and Take
 Materials such as 8x8 shadow frame provided. Additional materials based on individual project may be required. 1 4x6 photo to commemorate required.
19th of November
 Session One: 4-7

Tiny Treasures Gift Boxes*
 2 hr class
 1500/-
 Make and Take
 Dress up two of your own mini gift boxes. Experiment and play with embellishments and create based on preferred theme.
21st of November
 Session One: 5-7

Mini Album magic*
 3.5 hr class
 5000/-
 Create your own mini album. Start to finish.
 Chipboard bases and selective materials provided. Supply list based on personal preferences issued for variety and individual tastes.
23rd of November
 Session One: 3-6.30

Constructing Keepsake Tags*
 2 hr class
 2000/-
 Craft and take home your own whimsy tag. Dress it up with a concept. Select one word you want to work with. Access to Prima paper, stamps and flowers. Additional materials to be acquired based on preference.
25th of November
 Session One: 5 to 7

Tea in Transit, for every Chai Addict*3 hr class
3500/-
 Assemble and take home your mini tea bag dispenser using adorable Prima products. Whether you want to gift it to someone or want a pretty way to access your tea bags. You don't want to miss this!
 Materials provided.
27th of November
 Session One: 4 to 7

Bloom Inspired Art Tiles*
 3 hr class
 3500/-
 A fun class incorporating Jamie Daugherty Bloom Stamps and other Prima products. Construct an art piece on an 8x8 art tile. Personal medium of choice for coloring required (water colors, acrylics, coloring pencils, etc) basic materials for mixed media provided. Additional materials for embellishments to be brought based on individual requirement. Tile, access to Prima Art Essentials, Bloom stamps, adhesive and stencils included.
28th of November
 Session One: 4 to 7

Upcycled Utilities*
3 hr class
 3500/-
 Make the most of what you have lying about at home. Upcycle an existing box, container, basket, tin or pail. All materials provided, just bring something to alter! We're going to go all Prima on it!
1st of December
 Session One: 4 to 7
To REGISTER, please email fireflygirl.studioclasses@gmail.com with the Class and Session you are interested in joining! :)

Sparkle with Prima (Lulupu Blog Hop) Day 10

Hello Hello!

Thank you for paying my little space a visit as part of this super fun blog hop hosted by my friends over at Lulupu. I'm super excited to be sharing my bits and bobbles contributing to the amazing projects lined up as part of Sparkle with Prima. Before me was the Goddess of shabby chic and vintage, Mallika over at Aola Handmade Cards.

This is probably also my first post in a long while, and it's super cool cause I get to share one of the many pretty things I'll be experimenting with in the coming months as a Prima Art Educator for Pakistan. I have been on wheels for 5 weeks traveling for a little home away from home holiday. I got back day before yesterday, so please pardon the photos.

Alright, let's get to it.

I thought about what I wanted to craft for this hop. I had received an entire box of Prima goodies to play with (which by the way are still packed and in the process of going up in the craft space) prior to my holiday. And I had no time lost in deciding that it'd be fun to do something to commemorate the festival of lights, Diwali. I wanted to do this for all my crafty friends celebrating this festival. I read about it, and it was a little exciting working with a conceptual project.

I didn't want to take Diwali to a literal interpretation with candles and lights.. instead I worked up some crafty goodness keeping in mind the essence of Diwali. It celebrates new beginnings, comes around in autumn, and favors the good vs evil. Keeping these in mind I pulled up Prima's beautiful 'Epiphany' collection and got to it. This is an 8x8 mixed media canvas tile. It has been ink stained and layered with some of the cool new Finnabair Art Extravagance Specialty Paste, Clear Crackle. I stenciled it on with Prima's spin wheel set. It turned out pretty cool in between the ink layers. I used some of the Finnabair Mica Flakes and crused glitter.

The gorgeous resin bird is from the Ingvild Bolme collection. It's so prettttttaaaay! I popped open some lovely hues from the Color Bloom Sprays to accent the over all piece in tones of natural colors with a touch of fairy dust. Love these Color Bloom Sprays. Their nozzle, compared to others makes helps keep your hands clean. Super easy to use. The colors and consistency is just right, and the pearl like finish looks magical! <3

You can see some details up close, I've layered up with some inspiring words that tie up the new beginnings and Diwali. They give hope, make you feel happy...

The flutters within are all cut from the Epiphany collection. How lovely is it to imagine a changed world, with new beginnings, metamorphosis and the colors of gorgeous autumn?

I hope you all enjoyed this project. I look forward to some more craft therapy in coming months :) Thank you for stopping by. <3

Please hop over to Kripa at The Colour Press now to see the gorgeousness she's cooked up! :D

V

Four Amazing Years to Celebrate!

It probably sounds a little cliché with the idea that when I began my work, I never intended it to grow this much nor did I see it being what it is now. The truth, however is... that it's a fact! Firefly was a very whimsy attempt during a spring break in my 3rd year at Indus and I don't think I've really looked back since then. My vision for Firefly has grown. It's definitely broadened, and for a fact we've achieved several milestones. All I can say is, ALHAMDULILLAH! Isn't He Awesome?!

Every Year Allah Kareem grants me a few gifts to celebrate Firefly's birthday in March.
Here's what we've done this year...

-Managed Giveaways for PepsiCo for Pakistan Idol
-Produced handmade flowers and marble magnets for Daaman's Press and Media Kits for Fashion Pakistan Week 2014
-I, the Firefly Girl was awarded with Young Entrepreneur in the Spotlight at the 6th Annual Ladiesfund Women's Awards (that, too on 1st March!)
-We're at 18,000+ fans on Facebook
-We have 500+ loves following us on Instagram



That's probably the most remarkable bit to my journey. The unknown is beautiful... and the surprises are always breathtaking. Alhamdulillah! :)

I've been a bit of headless chicken.. my attention's been all over the place.. and it's been a lot of work trying to ground myself to life and routine here. Slow and steady wins the race, no? :)

I request each of you to make dua for me, and those of you that pray for me, I appreciate it and cannot thank you enough.

The Give Away!




Without further delay, I want to celebrate 4 years of my precious Firefly. I've been writing in it often, will think about sharing some of my writings with you all :) To party it up with our confetti, I'm rolling out the Giveaway. Given it's Crafts Month, let's celebrate by gifting one lucky crafter these gorgeous gifts to help them kickstart their crafting and inspire them to create <3

 

What's Included?

-12x12 Café Mediterranean Stack by Die Cuts With a View

-Tim Holtz Ideology Trinket Pins

- K&Co Birthday embellishment stickers

- Making Memories ornate frames

- Prima Mulberry Blooms

- TPC Studios Calendar Stamp Set

- My Mind's Eye Kate & Co Stamp set

- Acrylic Block

- Fiskers flower punch

- 4 solid color washis

- 3 patterned washis

- 1 set of bottle caps (metallic)

- 1 set of hand dyed mini pegs

- Perfect Pearls

- 4 packs of Basic Grey embellishments, canvas tags, pieces, etc

- 2 packs of Journaling cards/Pocket Pages made easy (chalkboard style)

- My Mind's Eye Collectible Wooden buttons

- mini vial packed with diamond dust

- mini vial packed with shaved ice

 

These items are all valued at over Rs 10,000!

 

How do you take part?
1- Go over to the Firefly Page on facebook. (Fb.com/whimsical.firefly)

2- Visit our product archives and go through the photos. Pick out ONE Handmade project done by me that you love.

3- Share that photo and write what you love about it, and what makes it stand out for you on your Profile Page (make it public)

4- Leave a comment here on this post once you do with your Facebook Profile Link :)

5- You can share multiple projects you admire, but do write constructively in your feedback.

6- Last date to share is the 30th of this month (March)

7- Winners get announced here on the blog on the 31st! InshaAllah.

8- All participants must have a Pakistan based postal address to ship the goodies to!

WINNER SELECTED! :D

I wanted to take out a moment to say thank you to everyone that took part in this giveaway. Reading through some of these posts and shares, I could see some very genuine feedback and appreciation, and it means a lot to me to have you share those thoughts out loud.

Out of all the entries, I fed a count into random.org's generator... we have Zain  Saleem as the lucky winner of our Craft Month and Birthday give away! :D Congrats love! inbox me your postal address so I can mail out your crafty treats!

From the shares, it's quite evident everyone loves the Romance Novel mini albums I did! :D

I have compiled the entries I had visible access to. :) It is always a blessing to be able to inspire and help others grow... and encourage them to learn. Thank you everyone for giving me that opportunity :) xx