About Me

I am Joylita D’Souza—fondly called Joy by my family and friends—a cardmaker, an Altenew Certified Educator, Fashion Photographer and Pilates Instructor. I have lived in Mumbai, India, for a major part of my life, and in 2014, I moved to Hong Kong with my husband, which is where I began my crafting journey. Since I was a kid, I have always admired the beauty of nature, especially flowers; they can always brighten my day! My love for flowers is also evident in my cards, as I use floral stamps for most of my cards.

I love traveling and trying out various cuisines as I believe it helps me learn more about the local culture. And when I travel, I make it a point to visit the craft store in that country because what’s a trip without a visit to the local craft store? Haha.

I am a certified Fashion Photographer, but with my love for flowers, they are a subject that I mostly click pictures of. In addition to this, I am a Pilates instructor, and I teach Mat, Reformer, Barrels, Cadillac, and Chair Pilates.

Cooking and experimenting with different ingredients to create allergy-friendly recipes is something I really enjoy. I am a very curious person and love learning about new things; some of my topics of interest are botany, space, psychology, and human anatomy. I do occasionally enjoy making handmade bead jewellery and embroidery.

I live by the philosophy that we need to be kind and helpful to everyone as each one is fighting a battle of their own, and a little act of kindness goes a long way. Making handmade cards is my way of bringing a smile to people’s faces and letting them know that they are not alone in their journey.

My crafting journey –

Drawing and painting have been my passion since I was a kid. I made handmade cards to give my loved ones for any occasion, or I should probably say I created occasions to give people handmade cards, haha. But, as I grew up and got busy with work, card making took a backseat. I did, however, enjoy the occasional doodles in my diaries.

Moving to Hong Kong was perhaps one of the best things that happened to me because once I moved here in 2014 since I quit my job, I had the chance to rekindle my crafty spark. I started making bead earrings and, at the same time, began watching Jennifer McGuire’s videos. Her videos reminded me of how I loved crafting as a kid, and encouraged me to get my first stamp set. From there, there was no turning back; it’s been over nine years since I began card making again. It has helped me in all aspects of my life, and I am glad I got this opportunity.

The card making community has been really kind and helpful in my journey, especially in the initial years when I needed all the help I could get, and this is what I love about being a part of this always welcoming and helpful community.

In April 2018, touched by the lovely comments I received from my fellow crafters, I started my blog, with the intention of helping others in their crafting journey. On my blog, I try to include even minute details as I believe even if it helps one person, I have achieved my purpose. I cannot believe it has been 5 years since I started my blog, and when I look back, it has been such a fulfilling journey.

I enjoy learning and trying new techniques and mediums, and I have tried my hands at alcohol markers, alcohol inks, watercolors, inks, inktense pencils, coloured pencils and gouache, to name a few. In recent years, I have started teaching private classes and hosting Altenew workshops as I want to share the knowledge I have gained over the years through my experience, from Altenew courses, and from all the kind crafters I have met in my crafting journey, with others.

Overall, my crafting journey has been a fun one, and I look forward to what is in store in the future.