My First My Favorite Things (MFT) Stamps and Dies!

My daughter's godmother who is also my childhood best friend is going to graduate as Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) soon. I know is been hard during her Master studies either on the studies or personal life. Thus, I really would like to make her a graduation card to cheer her up. Furthermore, my daughter is very proud that her godmother is 'partial doctor' (explaining to her what is APN is hard, so her godmother herself tells her that she is a doctor now).

Left : Die-namics First Class Friend die only

Right : MFT Pure Innocence Girl Doctor

Due to that, I been looking for stamp that have doctor image as I have the idea of the doctor wearing graduation hat (meaning she has graduation as APN). Earlier, I eyed on MFT Pure Innocence Best Medicine when my best friend was still a nurse but never purchase it due to budget constraints during that time. Thus, this time, I try to look in MFT Boutique if there is any doctor image. Well, there is which is MFT Pure Innocence Girl Doctor! As I need the stamp in early July 2012, I do not think purchasing back then in mid June 2012 will get the stamp arrived at my doorstep by end of June 2012. Not to mention I have to make a card using it and post it to my best friend in Singapore! Thus, I gave up purchasing it.

I turned to Heaney to ask if she knows where I can free digital image of doctor image since she likes to collect free digital images. She informs that she do not have any female doctor images but informs that I can get some female graduation images from few digital shops.

MFT Pure Innocence Girl Doctor

Well, I guess that the  MFT Pure Innocence Girl Doctor stamp is longing for me to own her. I am not sure if I am just lucky or coincident as two (2) days afterwards, I received MFT newsletter that there will be a summer sale at MFT Boutique with 20% discount on all MFT products for three (3) days only! With the summer sale discount, I do not have opportunity to say not to buy  MFT Pure Innocence Girl Doctor anymore! Furthermore, there are not many online stores sell MFT products. Even there are, the price is either same with MFT Boutique or just few cents cheaper.

Die-namics First Class Friend die only

As the International shipping charges for both stamps and Die-namics is flat at USD$10, I browse the boutique for another item so that it worth a bit paying for the flat shipping charges. I decided to have a Die-namics since I selected a stamp set. I choose to have Die-namics First Class Friend die only after a careful review and consideration and budget review.

I made my payment on the 17 July 2012, a day before the summer sale ends. As it is a sale period, I guess it is pretty busy at MFT because I receive the processing notification two (2) days after payment made. A day later, the shipping notification was sent to me. Eight (8) days afterwards, my first MFT stamp and Die-namics are in my hands.

There is still time for me to make the graduation card for my best friend! I hope I have time this weekend to make the card.

New Tools and Supplies!

My husband has been advising me to get a pair of good scissors for my details cutting as the one I am using is a pair of small normal scissors I got from stationary shop. He says that he finds me a bit difficult to cut some times using this small scissors. What a caring husband!

Well, I took his advise and surf around the online store for options. I been hearing people says that Tim Holtz Tonic Non-Stick Scissors very good and can cut almost anything. Then, I come across Making Memories Precision Scissors which is much cheaper compare to  Tim Holtz Tonic Non-Stick Scissors. Since I am not sure which to take, I decided to ask for experts opinion. I wrote to Chari Moss, Cathy Fong and Kelly Marie Alvarez for their opinions and recommendation as they are quite good in paper piecing or details cutting.

From left to right

EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors

Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black marker

Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad

Three (3) of them are recommending me to take EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors. I heard about and seen this scissors before but not in details. Thus, I did a deeper review on this scissors and most people who purchased and been using this scissors really recommend it. They says that this  EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors are very sharp even to the fine tip of the blade and best for details cutting. They also says that the blade is very sharp and precision even after few years of usage and have a soft and comfort grip. After all the review and recommendation, I decided to invest a pair of  EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors. I added this  EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors to my cart at Custom Crops online store but did not purchase right away as I am waiting for sale period. Furthermore, it is a bit expensive for shipping and handling charges with only one item.

Top : Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad
Bottom :  Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black marker

Few days after that, I tried  Chari Moss' stamp on stamp mirror stamping whereby she stamps the mirror image she wants onto the back of another stamp (please refer the video here for more explanation). But I could not get the results as shown in the video even after few tries. Thus, I write to  Chari explaining to her what I did and what supplies I used as I do not get the same result as shown on her video. I am a bit frustrated as both the mirror image blur and I have stain on the another stamp! I share my suspected reason which is the ink that I use, Hero Arts black dye ink as she is using Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black. She replied me that she have the same feeling on the ink I use since that is the only different she noted in my e-mail explanation. 

Well, that give me an option to purchase both the Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and marker. I also purchase Lawn Fawn latest Summer release stamp set, "Happy Summer". I just loves the ant trail which I think would make a very nice border!

I made my payment to Custom Crops on 13 June 2012 and the shipping was done a bit late this time. I received the shipping notification three (3) days after my payment. After ten (10) days of patient waiting, finally the parcel arrived to my house. I happily open my parcel and check my items. However, one of my order item is missing! It is the Lawn Fawn Happy Summer stamp set!

EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors
with cover protector on

My husband asks me to write to Custom Crops quickly to acknowledge the missing item which I did. I inform Custom Crops that all the items in the order are received in good condition except Lawn Fawn Happy Summer which is missing. I explain that there is no indication that the parcel been opened before when I received it as it is been sealed well with tape on the envelope opening which I suppose done by Custom Crops as safety measurement. I inform Custom Crops that I suspected that their staffs miss to pack this stamp into the parcel when packaging my order. I am glad that I received reply from Custom Crops later that night. Amy Buckbee from Custom Crops apologize on the missing item and gave me two (2) solutions which is either to refund or to re-ship the item to me. I choose to re-ship the stamp as I really like Lawn Fawn Happy Summer. Well, thing like that do happens and luckily Custom Crops is good enough to re-ship the missing item to me.

EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors
with cover protector off

Back to the items that I received especially the  EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors, I am a bit overwhelm that I finally own one pair. I start studying and feeling it. Well, it is really very comfortable grip and looks very sharp as described by the other users. However, one thing disappoint me is that it has 'China' engraved on the other side of the blade. It cannot be seen when covered with the cover protector and it is engraved behind the scissor (not the same blade you see the 'EK Success' logo). This scissors are made in China but why it cost me so much? Then, I remember that I encounter the same thing when bought Stampin' Up Rounded Tab punch which I posted here. Even the words 'Cutter Bee' on the cover protector is a stick on sticker.

October Afternoon Very Merry: Bake the Cookies - Front

Like previous order, Custom Crops included a quarter part sample paper for me. This time is the same October Afternoon Very Merry: Bake the Cookies that I got from my previous order. The difference this time is that I get the left lower part of the quarter with the theme printed as well as partial brand name. Not bad that I have half of the 12x12 October Afternoon Very Merry: Bake the Cookies pattern paper on my stash!

October Afternoon Very Merry: Bake the Cookies - Back

EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors
with cover protector on; another angle

Hopefully with this new tools,  EK Success Cutter Bee Scissors, I am able to have a nicer trimming for my details cutting. While I can have successful stamp on stamp mirror stamping with Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black ink pad and marker. I really would like to master Chari's stamp on stamp mirror stamping as I am able to create more reverse images for wedding wishes!

Candles + Cake + Present = Happy Birthday!

Candles + Cake + Present = Happy Birthday!

Made this card for my ex-colleague whose I made her the wedding wishes card yesterday as I realized that her birthday just past on last Thursday. Since I am going to post her the wedding wishes card, I make another birthday card for her as well.

Mojo Monday 246

This card layout is inspirational from Mojo Monday 246 sketch/challenge as shown above but I did not realize that the dateline is closing when I adopt the layout. Thus, by the time I like to link this card to the collection link, it has been closed. Luckily this round is not a contest round with prize. :P

Close-up : Candles, Cake and Present

I purposely choose candles, cake and present images from the stamp set as it represent birthday event and these items are nicely fit into the three (3) squares of the layout. After stamping the images into white cardstock, they are colored using Copic markers. Then, they are layered onto purple cardstock before attaching onto the textured red cardstock.

Close-up : Sentiment

Sentiment is stamped onto another purple cardstock and decorated with silver ribbons as in the layout which later layer onto the textured red cardstock. The whole textured red cardstock is layer onto a yellow card base. I finish the card by adding some purple gems on the left and right bottom corners of the sentiment.

Close-up : Bow and gems

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

Type : Vertical 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) PanPastel® UK Challenge Blog - Challenge 24 - Anything Goes (ending 30 June 2012)

2) Crafts and Me Challenge #89 - Anything Goes (ending 26 June 2012)

3) 2 Sisters Challenge Blog - Challenge 97 - Anything Goes (ending 29 June 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Traditional Chinese Wedding Wishes

Traditional Chinese Wedding Wishes - Front

Made this card for my ex-colleague whose wedding is in early June 2012. I got the news a bit late and due to my busy work schedule, only now I have time to make this wedding wishes card for her.

Sketch n Stash Challenge Sketch 4

Sketch n Stash Challenge 90 is having this "Free Choice Sketch" and I have chosen Sketch 4 as shown above for my card layout. The card layout gives me an idea to made a traditional Chinese wedding wishes card which uses my new stamp of Hero Arts CG106 Friends that I bought some time ago.

Close-up : The groom

Both of the images are stamped on white cardstock and colored using Copic markers. The clothes are paper pieced using some Chinese wedding theme pattern paper. The result is excellent as it really looks like tradition days wedding costumes!

Close-up : The bride

Window card

I decided to make a window card as I like the idea of the couple holding the traditional ribbon bow which in Chinese tradition means tying the knots together. I have some hard time making the rose bow but I managed to make it after few tutorials from the Internet. Sentiment "Congratulations" is stamped on a red cardstock and trimmed accordingly to be attached on top of the ribbon rose bow on the gold card base.

Close-up : The sentiment and ribbon rose bow

Traditional Chinese Wedding Wishes - Inside 

In the inside of the card, the couple is attached accordingly to the acetate window panel. The 'double happiness' in Chinese character, '喜喜' from the pattern paper is trimmed and attached to the center of the inside card. The Chinese character, '喜喜' has made the look of the inside of the card looks tradition together with the couple. It is really awesome!

Close-up : Inside the card

Dimension : 21.5cm x 10cm or 8.5" x 4"

Type : Vertical fold

Inlay : None but with attached on 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) Sketch n Stash Challenge 90 - Free Choice Sketch (ending 01 July 2012)

2) Papertake Weekly Challenge - Bingo - I choose ribbon, free and blooms (ending 11 June 2012)

3) Bearly Mine Challenges #40 - Flowers (ending 26 June 2012)

4) Delightful Challenges - Anything Goes (ending 28 June 2012)

5) PanPastel® UK Challenge Blog - Challenge 24 - Anything Goes (ending 30 June 2012)

6) Pile It On Challenge #26 - Make Your Own Embellishments (ending 01 July 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Lawn Fawn Wish Lists Update

Ever since Lawn Fawn launch their Summer stamp sets on 30 May 2012, I have eyed few of the sets. Oh, my! I just fulfilled some of my Lawn Fawn wish lists, here and here and now I am adding another few lists! I guess my Lawn Fawn wish lists will never get shorter! 

Here is the my latest Lawn Fawn wish lists.

Lawn Fawn Happy Summer	Lawn Fawn Make Lemonade	Lawn Fawn Sunny Skies	Lawn Fawn Say Cheese, Too	Lawn Fawn Love 'n Breakfast
Lawn Fawn Critters in the Snow	Lawn Fawn Critters on the Farm	Lawn Fawn Critters in the Forest	Lawn Fawn Chevron Backdrops	Lawn Fawn Lunar Lights
Lawn Fawn On The Mend	Lawn Fawn Admit One	Lawn Fawn Plus One	Lawn Fawn My Silly Valentine	Lawn Fawn Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum
Lawn Fawn Say Cheese	Lawn Fawn Teeny Tiny Backdrops	Lawn Fawn Hello Friend

InLinkz.com

Compare to my previous Lawn Fawn wish lists, I have fulfilled :

1) Lawn Fawn You've Got Mail

2) Lawn Fawn Critters in the 'Burbs

3) Lawn Fawn Smitty's ABCs

4) Lawn Fawn Making Frosty Friend

5) Lawn Fawn Gnome Sweet Gnome

6) Lawn Fawn Bon Voyage

And today, I am adding the below to the lists :

1) Lawn Fawn Happy Summer

2) Lawn Fawn Made Lemonade

3) Lawn Fawn Sunny Skies

The lists did get shorter even I added more lists but it is because I am not adding the whole Summer sets. If I did adding the whole Summer sets to my Lawn Fawn wish lists, I guess the list will be longer. 

I hope I can fulfill my Lawn Fawn wish lists perhaps by this year? I certainly hopes so by looking for more great discounts, bargain, sales and clearance.

Happy Graduation!

Happy Graduation

This card is specially made for my best friend sister who is graduating from university.

Sketch Saturday Week #211

This card layout is inspirational from Sketch Saturday Week #211 sketch/challenge as shown above.

Close-up : Added graduation hat

I decided to use a digital image this time as the image is perfect for the occasion and more relevant after I add something extra to it - yes, a graduation hat! Isn't that hat perfect for this image as well for graduation?! I just love it!

Close-up : Sentiment

On a yellow card base, corrugated purple strip is attached as the base. Then, on top of it, it is layered with a colorful strips of pattern papers. On the left side of the square yellow cardstock, "Happy Graduation" sentiment is stamped.

Close-up : Image with some touch-up

The image is colored with Copic markers, trim accordingly and layered on the card as layout in the sketch above. The graduation hat is attached onto the head of the girl using pop dots.

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

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) Sketch Saturday Week #211 (ending 15 June 2012)

2) Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (ending 11 June 2012)

3) Loves Rubberstamps Challenge 3 - Anything Goes! (ending 11 June 2012)

Stamps and tools used :

Swinging By To Say.....Happy Birthday!

Swinging By To Say..... - Front

Today is my younger brother birthday and I make a funny card to cheer him up as yesterday some unfortunate incident happens to him.

Tuesday Morning Sketches #149

This card layout is inspirational from Tuesday Morning Sketches #149 sketch/challenge as shown above. 

Close-up : Swinging monkeys

As I wanted to make a funny card, I decided to use the new stamp set that I purchase recently. The image is stamped on a white rectangular cardstock and colored with Copic markers. It is then layered onto a green rectangular cardstock.

Close-up : Sentiment "Just swinging by to say..."

The sentiment is stamped on the lower of a blue scalloped square. It is then attached to the image partially, revealing the sentiment only. The whole image and sentiment is attached onto a soft green patterned cardstock. On the left side of the soft green patterned cardstock, an olive green mesh is tied. This time is easier to tied the bow as I learned from my previous experience. :P

Swinging By To Say..... - Inside

Inside the card, following the sentiment from the front which is "Just swinging by to say.....", it is stamped with sentiment of "Happy birthday and sending you a huge monster hugs". I decided to have the ".....sending you a huge monster hugs" as first, I can use the monster for some funny element and second, to comfort him from the unfortunate incident that happens to him yesterday.

Close-up : Sentiments inside the card

Close-up : Cute paper pieced monster

The cute monster is paper pieced.

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

Type : Vertical fold 

Inlay : None but with stamped sentiments and image

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) Tuesday Morning Sketches #149 (ending 10 June 2012)

2) Papertake Weekly Challenge - Anything Goes (ending 11 June 2012)

3) Loves Rubberstamps Challenge 3 - Anything Goes! (ending 11 June 2012)

4) Creative Inspirations Challenge 166 - Card For A Male! (ending 12 June 2012)

5) Secret Crafter Challenge #188 - Anything Goes (ending 07 June 2012)

Stamps and tools used :