Octopus Royally Birthday

Octopus Royally Birthday

This card inspiration is from Card Positioning Systems (CPS) #263 sketch/challenge as shown below.

Card Positioning Systems (CPS) #263

I used orange as my card base while gold and yellow for the panel as I want to make a royally birthday card. I want this birthday card to look cute (perhaps a card for kids) thus, I combine the cute octopus and crown!

Close-up : Octopus with crown

I also inspired by Young Crafters Unite (YCU) Challenge #9 whereby they are having this 'No Coloring Allowed' theme. This has given me an opportunity to use pattern papers which is just nice as I have little images on my card. I purposely stamp the sentiment 'royally' in gold ink to give impression on royalty. The sentiment strip is attached onto the card using pop dots. I finish off my card by adding some gems embellishment to the crown and left and right panels of the card.

Close-up : Sentiment 'Happy Royally Birthday'

Dimension : 10.16cm x 15.24cm or 4" x 6"

Type : Horizontal fold

Inlay : None
Code : BW#010

Price : RM5.90 (excluded shipping fees)

If you would like to have a similar design of these items or individual item, please e-mail us at msgkeeper@gmail.com for order. Please do include the color or theme you prefer, purpose of the item(s) (farewell, retirement, birthday and etc) and message (if any).

This card is entering the challenge(s) organized by :

1) Card Positioning Systems (CPS) #263 (ending 05 May 2012)

2) Young Crafters Unite (YCU) challenge #9 - No Coloring Allowed (ending 15 May 2012)

3) Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes (ending 01 May 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Many Squares Baby Girl Card

Many Squares Baby Girl card

I decided to make card when I saw Mojo Monday 238 sketch as per below. I just cannot resist not to enter Mojo Monday 238 sketch challenge as it features many squares which I had in my mind that I want to do something like this some times ago. Well, now I got my chance!

Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge - Mojo Monday 238 

Since I am crazy over baby card for a while now, I decided to make a baby girl using this challenge. Actually, I have another idea on my mind which is more general but I decided to make baby card instead.

Close-up : Top row of squares with images

Three (3) colors cardstock are trimmed into 1.5" x 1.5" squares. Another reason why I decided to participate in this sketch challenge is that it has many squares which can use up some of my leftover stash - great for not wasting up! Then, two (2) corners are rounded to give some design rather just square shape.

Close-up : Far right squares with images

Baby stuffs images especially on baby girl, are stamped into the squares. I did not stamp all the squares with images as the scallop circle will later cover it. Thus, I only stamp on the top row three (3) squares and the far right row down four (4) squares with images. Some of the images such as the bib and dress are paper pieced. Then, all those squares are attached onto a pink card base.

Close-up : Baby girl in the scalloped circle

The baby girl image is stamped on a white circle cardstock and colored the face and body using Copic markers. The diaper is paper pieced. Flower embellishment is added to the baby hair to symbolize she is a baby girl. The circle is distress with red distress ink before attached onto a pink scallop cardstock.

Close-up : Round tab tag

As for the tag, I like to do something out of the norm. Thus, I use round tab punch as the tag whereby the sentiment "Baby Girl" is stamped onto the purple round tab and folded in half. A hole is punched on the edge of the tab and a silver string is used. I like the tag to be hanged from the scallop circle whereby I used a purple brad to secure the other end of the silver string. Finally, the scallop circle together with the tag are attached onto the pink card base using pop dots.

Dimension : 12.7cm x 19.05cm or 5" x 7.5"

Type : Vertical fold

Inlay : None
Code : BG#001
Price : RM6.90 (excluded shipping fees)

If you would like to have a similar design of these items or individual item, please e-mail us at msgkeeper@gmail.com for order. Please do include the color or theme you prefer, purpose of the item(s) (farewell, retirement, birthday and etc) and message (if any).

This card is entering the challenge(s) organized by :

1) Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge - Mojo Monday 238 (ending 29 April 2012)

2) Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes (ending 01 May 2012)

3) More Than Favors Wacky Wednesday #69 Baby Theme (ending 02 May 2012)

4) Creative Inspirations Challenge 160 - Anything Goes! (ending 01 May 2012)

5) Inky Iimpressions Challenges (IIC) #56 - Anything Goes! (ending 01 May 2012)

6) Totally Papercrafts Challenge #114 - Saturated Colours (ending 03 May 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Baby Clothes Thank You

Baby Clothes Thank You

One of my friends is going to give me some hand down baby boy clothes as earlier I gave her my daughter's. In addition, she also will be giving my younger brother the baby bouncer. Thus, to appreciate her kindness, I am making her a thank you card. Since she will be handing down to me baby boy clothes, it gives me an inspiration to make a hanging clothes line of baby boy clothes from baby to toddler.

Close-up : Various baby clothing

Various baby clothes and clothes from different stamp sets are used. Some are stamped on pattern papers and cut out. While some are stamped on scrap cardstock and cut out and adding colors using Copic markers. The peg are stamped on scrap cardstock and cut out individually.

Close-up : Onesie, bib and all-in-one clothes

The clothes line is made from a black string that secured with two (2) green brads on the left and right. Then, those clothes are 'hang' on to the clothes line by actually using pop dots to secure them in place. The pegs are attached on top of the clothes as those clothes are actually clipped to the string. It is purposely arranged that the clothes start with onesie, bib follows by toddler clothing.

Close-up : Jeans and shirt

Close-up : Sentiment

The sun and clouds are stamped and arranged out of the alignment to give some dimension. On top of the card, a white scallop ribbon is layered. The sentiment, 'Thank you very much' is stamped on top of the ribbon.

Dimension : 12.7cm x 19.05cm or 5" x 7.5" 

Type : Horizontal fold 

Inlay : None

If you would like to have a similar design of these items or individual item, please e-mail us at msgkeeper@gmail.com for order. Please do include the color or theme you prefer, purpose of the item(s) (farewell, retirement, birthday and etc) and message (if any). 

This card is entering the challenge(s) organized by : 

1) Hero Arts April 2012 Challenge - Sunshine & Showers (ending 26 April 2012)

2) More Than Favors Wacky Wednesday #69 Baby Theme (ending 24 April 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Thanks So Much!

Thanks So Much card - Front

Is been a long time since I last participate in Hero Arts monthly challenge. Thus, today, I decided to participate as they are having these Hero Arts April 2012 Sketch Challenge. I like sketch challenge as it gives me idea how to make a card (sometimes it can be difficult especially when too many elements involved). The sketch I select is the on the left bottom.

Hero Arts April 2012 Sketch Challenge 

On the other hand, I need to make a thank you card for a senior colleague who gave me and few others a class last week Wednesday in which she had sore throat later on. Her class really give me a lot of insight even after I worked in the company for quite some times.

Close-up : "Thanks So Much" sentiment

I just make a simple card as the sketch itself is very simple. I used two (2) different patterned papers to make the stripes as in the sketch. One of them, I punch it with border to give it some textures. They are arranged and attached as in the sketch. For the sentiment part, I die cut a scallop circle and a circle. The sentiment, "Thanks so much" is stamped onto the circle which layer on top of the scallop circle. The scallop circle is then layered onto the bottom second strip.

Thanks So Much card - Inside

As the card base is a bit dark for writing message, I layer a pink inlay inside the card. I stamped some circular design on the upper left and bottom right of the pink inlay to avoid the dullness.

Dimension : 10.16cm x 15.24cm or 4" x 6" 

Type : Vertical fold 

Inlay : Yes with stamped images

If you would like to have a similar design of these items or individual item, please e-mail us at msgkeeper@gmail.com for order. Please do include the color or theme you prefer, purpose of the item(s) (farewell, retirement, birthday and etc) and message (if any). 

This card is entering the challenge(s) organized by : 

1) Hero Arts April 2012 Challenge - Sketch Challenge

Stamps and tools used :

Real Quicklet Eyelets!

Left : Pack of round quicklet eyelets
Right : pack of baby head brads

On the same day I purchase my Lawn Fawn wish lists stamps from Custom Crops, I also purchase some quicklets and brads from Eyelet Outlet. I do not trust other sellers in eBay.com anymore when I decided to purchase quicklets as I have bad experience as explained in my last post here.

Eight (8) colors of the round quicklet eyelets

I just need some quicklets for my baby theme projects. I purchase a pack of mixed colors of summer quicklet eyelets which contains seven (7) dozens of 1/8" round quicklet eyelets. Well, since the shipping fees are fixed no matter how many you purchase, I decided to get another item.

Cute baby head brads
Left : Boy baby head
Right : Girl baby head

I am lucky as there are sales and clearance items going on. I spotted some baby theme items and the one attractive to me is the baby head brads. The regular price is USD$2.99 for 12 baby head brads that is mix of pink girl and blue boy. But now it is on sale for USD$0.99 only, about 67% discount! I decided to take this as it is cute and size of 16mm is just great for my baby theme project.

I made my payment on 30 March 2012 and Eyelet Outlet confirms my order on the same day. The next day, I received their shipping notification that the parcel has been sent. However, there is no tracking number provided. The e-mail only state that my parcel has been posted to my confirmed delivery address using USPS International as well as items I purchase.

Finally, I received the parcel today, four (4) days later that the parcel from Custom Crops. It is a small parcel since I only purchase two (2) items. I quickly open the parcel and take out the items. The first thing I spot the quicklet eyelet package, I quickly open the package and take out one (1) eyelet. Then, I grab a piece of small cardstock and punch a hole. The next thing, I slit in the quicklet eyelet into the hole and turn the cardstock around. I grab a ball pen and start push down towards the back of the quicklet eyelet. Guess what? The quicklet eyelet really pivot into the cardstock! It is really a real quicklet eyelet!

Quicklet eyelet front package

Satisfying with the real quicklet eyelet, I start to examine the package of the quicklet eyelet. The right upper corner of the front package has the word "Quicklets". Then under the Eyelet Outlet name, there is this statement, "Because eyelets don't need a setter anymore". The middle of the front package has a 'No' sign symbol with the word 'setter' which rounded with this statement, "the eyelet you can set with a pen!". At the back of the package, it is the simple instruction how to apply the quicklet, "To apply - put pen tip on back of he quicklet, press down and pivot. Quiet, quick and simple".

Quicklet eyelets back package

However, I spotted at the left bottom corner that it has this statement, "Made in China"! When I saw this statement, I am a bit not happy. This is because it seems that I spend my money buying something that can be found within or near my region. Which means, I can maybe get it cheaper. After I calm down, I re-think back and found that there are no seller from China that sell such a thing! Then, I comfort myself that this maybe custom made only for Eyelet Outlet since they are the inventor of quicklet eyelet.

Brad back package

The brad's package is almost the same as the quicklet eyelet's package. Just that the 'No' sign symbol has been removed and the right upper corner of the front package has the word "Brads" instead of "Quicklets". The statement under the Eyelet Outlet name is "Because eyelets aren't just round anymore". At the back of the package, instead of simple instruction, there is another statement, "Easier than jumping rope and blowing bubbles!".

Overall, I am satisfy with the items I purchase. I will be purchasing from Eyelet Outlet again especially on quicklets if I find it useful in my projects.

Some of Lawn Fawn Stamp Wish Lists Accomplished!

When Lawn Fawn first introduce or launch their new Spring set of stamps, their You've Got Mail stamp really got my attention and is on my wish list. However, I did not bought this stamp set when their are available for sale on 02 March 2012.

From left to right
Lawn Fawn Smitty's ABCs
Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friend
Lawn Fawn Gnome Sweet Gnome
Bottom : Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage

I must says that this time their stamps really so adorable that everyone want to own them. This is because when I finally to decide to purchase by mid of March 2012, You've Got Mail is out of stock and so do other sets as well. I wrote to Kelly Marie Alvarez, owner of Lawn Fawn asking when they will restock the stamps. Well, I am not that kind of person that will sit around and hoping the answer will come to me. I am that kind of person that will look for alternatives. Thus, I navigate to Lawn Fawn blog and click on "Retail Stores!" link to look for other Lawn Fawn online retailers.

Lawn Fawn Smitty's ABCs

I visit the online stores one by one as listed and survey the prices they offer. Some are higher a bit than the Lawn Fawn published price and some are the same. Most of them offer discount by 10% off the published price. In the same time, I also try to look for further discount coupons which usually the store will ask us to sign up for their newsletter which I did for some stores. 

Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friend

My efforts pays off when I arrive at Custom Crops online store. Their prices really so competitive that it gives me a big surprise and smile on my face! Well, I quickly add this store link to my bookmark and start weighing which stamp sets I should purchase. In fact, if my budget allow, I like to take them all as the price is so competitive. Imagine that I can purchase additional a 3"x4" set with saving from purchasing three (3) 4"x6" sets. I add some my Lawn Fawn wish list stamps into the cart and check for the shipping fees which is reasonable - another big smile on my face. However, I did not purchase right away as the You've Got Mail stamp is not available and they predicted it to have back in stock by end of March 2012. Since I am not in the hurry, I decided to wait for another week plus to see if they restocked.

Lawn Fawn Gnome Sweet Gnome

Kelly replied the next day that they are hoping the restock will arrive by next week and advise me to sign up the restock availability notification. I reply Kelly that I found Custom Crops and how their pricing like. I also share with Kelly that I really like to purchase from Lawn Fawn directly but this time around, the stamp sets I want are not available and Custom Crops price are more competitive. I hint to Kelly if she can have discount some time in her store as I prefer to purchase from Lawn Fawn direct! Later, I signed up for the You've Got Mail restock availability notification since Custom Crops is having the same issue.

Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage

By the end of March 2012, I got a notification from Lawn Fawn that You've Got Mail stamp has been restock. However, there is no restock at Custom Crops yet and they predicted it to be available by early first week of April 2012. I decided not to wait for the restock and go ahead to purchase the stamps that I already have in the cart. I made my order and payment to Custom Crops on 30 March 2012. As their practice is to ship within one (1) business day, later on the same day, I received their shipping notification that my parcel has been shipped. When I received the notification, my first though is that, "That is fast!" which is a good news for me as I no need to wait so long for my parcel to arrive.

Teresa Collins Designs 12"x12" Spooktacular TC-2878 Spooky Words - Front 

About a week later, my parcel arrived at my doorstep and this is the fastest oversea parcel I ever received! Thanks Custom Crops for the fast service and delivery. What another great thing is that they also included a sample paper for me. It is Teresa Collins Designs 12"x12" Spooktacular TC-2878 Spooky Words. Well, of course they did not give me the whole 12"x12" paper. In fact, they divide the 12"x12" paper into four (4) quarters and I am lucky to get the right bottom quarter which have the barcode and product description. This is great as I do not really have any products related to Halloween as this event is not so popular in Malaysia. Guess I can put this quarter part paper into good use later.

Teresa Collins Designs 12"x12" Spooktacular TC-2878 Spooky Words - Back