Great Bargain on Some My Favorite Things (MFT) Retiring Die-namics

From left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Die-namics Mini Album Fancy Ticket STAX
My Favorite Things (MFT) Die-namics Vertical Frame

I received My Favorite Things (MFT) newsletter on 12 December 2014 that they are having a huge sale, 75% discount on retiring stamp sets and Die-namics. Seeing that 75% discount really excited me a lot and I quickly browse to My Favorite Things (MFT) website.

My Favorite Things (MFT) Die-namics Mini Album Fancy Ticket STAX

There are more than 100 stamp sets and Die-namics that are on sale. Once there are sold out, there will not be any re-stock as these are retiring stamp sets and Die-namics. I browse through all the items. However, I only manage to pick two (2) items, Die-namics in fact and the price after discount is just amaze me!

My Favorite Things (MFT) Die-namics Vertical Frame

I quickly order the items and pay for it on the same day. However, perhaps due to high volume of orders generated from the huge sale, I only manage to get a notification from My Favorite Things (MFT) on 15 December 2014 that my order is in queue for processing. Then, a day afterwards, My Favorite Things (MFT) sent me another notification that my items has been shipped.

My Favorite Things (MFT) customized box

Finally, the items arrived today and it surprised me. The reason being is that my items come in a box, a My Favorite Things (MFT) customized box! It surprised me as my order is only two (2) Die-namics which can easily be fitted into a bubble envelope. The shipping fees I am paying also seem not right with the packaging that I received.

'THIS BOX CONTAINS A WHOLE LOT OF HAPPY (Open quick and get crafty!)' statement

The box, as mentioned is My Favorite Things (MFT) customized box in white. On the opening flap, it has this 'THIS BOX CONTAINS A WHOLE LOT OF HAPPY (Open quick and get crafty!)' statement. Then, at the adjacent flap, it has My Favorite Things logo and website address.

My Favorite Things logo and website address

Nevertheless, I open up the box and found my two (2) Die-namics, an invoice and a mini pre-printed thank you card inside. Nothing more and nothing less. Well, I am of course happy that I received my items in good condition but having a customized box to deliver my two (2) small Die-namics seem overused the box. Although my items are well protected, I feel a bit uneasy on that as more papers has been consumed. It would be wiser if My Favorite Things (MFT) can consider using customized bubble envelope instead.

Envelope Punch Board

Crafty Saver is having another product promotion. This time is We R Memory Keepers Punch Boards namely the:

• Pillow Box Punch Board
• Gift Bag Punch Board
• Gift Box Punch Board
• Envelope Punch Board
• Candy Box Punch Board
• Flower Punch Board

The promotion is any three (3) punch boards for USD$39 or any four (4) punch boards for USD$49. Yes, it is a great deal as one punch board normal price is at USD$19.99. But Crafty Saver is having it at USD$14.99 per punch board as their selling price without the bundle. However, with the bundle promotion, it is more great bargain as one punch board is only minimum USD$13! 

We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

I tried to select the punch boards I want but above the six (6) punch boards, I only find that Envelope Punch Board is great use at my current level. I did find that Flower Punch Board useful but I could not find another one more punch board that I find useful at my current level. Thus, I decided not to be greedy and stick to Envelope Punch Board. I have seen a number of review on Envelope Punch Board and mostly have good reviews. Furthermore, this Envelope Punch Board can make various sizes of envelope. Although I have Martha Stewart Scoring Board, making envelopes using Martha Stewart Scoring Board not really ideal. Actually I been thinking if I should sell off the Martha Stewart Scoring Board and change to the small scale Martha Stewart Mini Scoring Board. Well, that is another time thinking and comparison.

When I made my order on the Envelope Punch Board, Crafty Saver is having another sale on this particular punch board. Instead of USD$14.99, it is now only USD$13.99! It is merely a dollar saving but a saving is a great deal for me! I made my order and payment on 15 December 2014. As mentioned in my previous post, Crafty Saver does not send out shipping notification. Thus, I have to login to Crafty Saver to check if my parcel has been shipped after few days. I was surprised that Crafty Saver is able to process and ship my item on the same day of purchase. It is probably the order is not many or they are just clearing as much orders before the Christmas weeks. Anyhow, I am just glad to know the item is on the way. :)

The box that shipped the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board

I was surprised that there is an acknowledgement slip on my door gate when my family and I come back from outing on Christmas afternoon which is a public holiday in Malaysia. I never know that there would be any delivery make on public holiday. Nevertheless, thanks so much to my darling hubby who picks up the parcel at the post office today. It caused him some difficulties as the parcel is quite big, 13" x 13" box and he rode a super motorbike to pick the parcel.

Hopefully I am able to use this Envelope Punch Board more often as I recently have a habit of making non standard size cards.

Merry Kissmoose Door Hanger

Merry Kissmoose Door Hanger

Well, to have that Christmas feeling is not enough by just one door hanger, right? So, I made another Christmas door hanger for my son's room. This time, I made a little cuter and more kiddy look since my son is just three (3) years plus old. 

Close-up: Moose with Christmas hat

The moose is stamped on a white circle. A Christmas hat is added to its head to make it more Christmas feel. The images are colored using Copic markers. Then, the edges of the circle is distressed to tone down the whiteness. It is attached onto a yellow scalloped circle. Two (2) giggle eyes are added to the moose and one white gem is added to the hat to make it a bit sparkle.

Close-up: Sentiment

The sentiment is stamped on a tiny die cut fishtail yellow banner but on the reverse direction from the previous. The mistletoe is created using the same way.

For my son's door hanger, I die cut a light blue tag and trimmed away the right side of the hanging hole. The scalloped circle is attached to the door hanger follow by the sentiment banner in which I use foam tape too so that it will have some dimension.

This door hanger is entering the challenge(s) organized by :

1) Lawnscaping Challenge 96 - Merry Christmas (ends by 24 December 2014)

2) Crazy for CAS - Challenge #60 Anything Goes (ends by 02 January 2015)

3) Eclectic Ellapu - Purple Challenge - Christmas but Not a Card (ends by 01 February 2015)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : E08, E13, E25, E27, E29 and R27

Wishing You a Merry Christmas Door Hanger

Wishing You a Merry Christmas Door Hanger

Although I am not celebrating Christmas, I like the Christmas feel in my house. That feeling is lacking in my house now. Thus, to have that feeling, I made a Christmas door hanger for my daughter's room. I bet she will like it when she wakes up tomorrow morning.

Close-up: Image

I use Socking Santa Ornament from Bugaboo Digi Stamp (which is freebies for December 2014) for this door hanger. After it is printed and die cut onto a circle, it is colored using Copic markers. Then, the edges of the circle is distressed with ink to tone down the whiteness. It is attached onto a green scalloped circle.

Close-up: Sentiment

The sentiment is stamped on a tiny die cut fishtail yellow banner. On the fishtail end, two (2) mistletoe leaves are stamped according to the banner end and colored using Copic marker. I decided to use red gems as the berries which add some dimension and a tiny sparkle.

I use the Papertrey Ink (PTI) Wine Bottle Tag Die (that I bought some time ago) to make into a door hanger. Finally, my theory is proven after eight (8) months of having this Papertrey Ink (PTI) Wine Bottle Tag Die on hands! The wine bottle tag can be easily turned into a door hanger by trimming away the left or right side of the hanging hole!

For my daughter's door hanger, I die cut an orange tag and trimmed away the left side of the hanging hole. The scalloped circle is attached to the door hanger follow by the sentiment banner in which I use foam tape so that it will have some dimension.

This door hanger is entering the challenge(s) organized by :

1) Lawnscaping Challenge 96 - Merry Christmas (ends by 24 December 2014)

2) A Gem of a Challenge - Challenge #134 - Anything Christmas (ends by 02 January 2015)

3) Wags 'n Whiskers - Challenge 144 - Merry Christmas (ends by 08 January 2015)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : B05, E21, E50, E53, G17, R24, R27, R29, YG06 and YR15

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

I feel guilty that I have not make any Christmas card this year. Thus, I made one today. Furthermore, most of the challenges theme are Christmas related.

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #207 (MFTWSC207)

I decided to play with MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #207 (MFTWSC207) as shown above.

On a piece of white card stock, the hanging lights are stamped randomly to create a own made pattern paper or background. Then, the light bulbs are colored with various Copic markers. The finish background is then trimmed to size and attached onto a red card base as in sketch. At the bottom of the background, it is attached with a piece of leftover Christmas theme pattern paper.

Close-up: Fishtail banner with sentiment

On a piece of card stock, it is trimmed into a fishtail banner as in sketch. The sentiment is stamped at the upper part of the banner before it is distressed with ink give it ore festive feel. It is attached onto the card as in sketch.

Close-up: Santa's hat

Finally, on a die cut circle, a Santa's hat is stamped and colored using Copic marker. I apply a thin layer of glossy accent to the furry areas of the hat and sprinkle some glitter powder onto it. It create some texture and also a shinny look! As finishing touch, I added some faux stitching to the circle using glitter silver pen. It is attached onto the card as in the sketch using foam tape.

Dimension : 10.16cm x 15.24cm or 4" x 6"
Type : Vertical fold
Inlay : None

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

1) MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #207 (MFTWSC207) (ends by 23 December 2014)

2) Lawnscaping Challenge 96 - Merry Christmas (ends by 24 December 2014)

3) Creative Inspirations Challenge - Challenge 294 - Christmas / Happy New Year (ends by 09 January 2015)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : B05, R29, YG03, YR15 and V04

Stencil and Wink of Stella!!!

From top to bottom:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Petal Circles
Clear Glitter Wink of Stella Brush
Fiskars Triple Track Cutting Blades

As mentioned previously, I had a shopping spree during the Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. The other two (2) parcels has arrived last week and finally today, the Simon Says Stamp parcel arrived!

I made the payment to Simon Says Stamp on 29 November 2014 (Malaysia local time), same as the other two (2) parcels. However, when I review the invoice three (3) days after the payment, I realized that I did not apply the discount code! Ouch! Although the saving is not much but being me, every cents count!

I quickly wrote an e-mail to Simon Says Stamp to inform that I forgotten to apply the discount code and ask if the discount code can be re-apply as my order date was on 28 November 2014. I also apologize on my careless and any inconveniences caused. Then, I cross my fingers hoping that Simon Says Stamp can do something about this order. Well, the same day revert e-mail from Tiffany says that she would get the refund made as soon as possible! That is a relief! Phew~

On 04 December 2014, I received shipping notification from Simon Says Stamp. However, I am yet to receive the refund and that worry me a little. I comfort myself that I will ask Simon Says Stamp again if the parcel has arrived but no refund made yet. Eventually, the refund was finally made on 11 December 2014, few days before the parcel arrive! Thanks Simon Says Stamp so much for their services.

My first stencil - My Favorite Things (MFT) Petal Circles

Back to the products I get from Simon Says Stamp. I always wanted to try stencil as stencil is very popular nowadays. I decided to take My Favorite Things (MFT) Petal Circles because of its price (after discount) and usability. This is my first stencil and I cannot wait to play with it using all those techniques that been introduced by Jennifer McGuire.

Clear Glitter Wink of Stella Brush

The second item that I been longing to have is the clear glitter Wink of Stella brush! It has been on my wish list ever since I heard of it but unable to purchase as the stores I previously frequent do not carry this product or the clear ink is always out of stock. With this clear glitter Wink of Stella brush on hand, I bet most of my projects will have that simmering look soon!

Fiskars Triple Track Cutting Blades

The third item is this Fiskars Triple Track cutting blades. The cutting blade that originally come with my Fiskars trimmer is not working perfectly anymore. Whenever I run the cutting blade through a paper, the paper would not be trimmed sharp and has these small frayed leftover on its side. I am not sure why this happens or it is time to replace my cutting blade. But I remember these things happen after I used it to trim other things (magnetic sheet, plastic and etc) other than paper. Perhaps that is the reason. However, the cutting blade is still able to trim. I think I better separate the cutting blades - new cutting blade for trimming paper only and the old cutting blade for trimming other things.

Hopefully I can play with the stencil soon!

New Lawn Fawn, My Favorite Things and Taylored Expressions Stamps and Dies + Unexpected Something Extra

Items bought from Butterfly Reflections Ink
Top row from left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) LLD Perk Up Stamp Set
My Favorite Things (MFT) LLD Coffee Cup Die-namics
Lawn Fawn Love You a Latte Stamp Set
Bottom row from left to right:
Lawn Fawn Milk and Cookies Stamp Set
Lawn Fawn Milk and Cookies Lawn Cuts
Lawn Fawn Love You a Latte Lawn Cuts

I had a shopping spree during the Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions! There are so many shops and stamp companies offering discounts and promotion during these period. Thus, I quickly grab these chances to save, replenish and also fulfill some of my long list of wishlist.

Jennifer McGuire has a one-stop-sale-post on 26 November 2014 that listed down all these fun shopping and discount codes. She lists down lot of shops and stamp companies that having these Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions. One of the shops caught my eyes as I never heard it before, Butterfly Reflections Ink which offer 30% off entire shop. The discount is attractive but I am not sure what kind of shop it is - one-stop-shop or a stamp company.

From left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) LLD Perk Up Stamp Set
Lawn Fawn Love You a Latte Stamp Set
Lawn Fawn Milk and Cookies Stamp Set

Well, to find out, I just click on the link that Jennifer supplies. It is an one-stop-shop like Simon Says Stamp. Although Butterfly Reflections Ink products might not be as many as Simon Says Stamp, most of the stamp brands that I been keeping eyes on are sold in this shop! Its price also is slightly cheaper than the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and with that 30% discount off the entire shop, it is a good discount and saving for me! The best thing is that shipping fees is at flat rate of USD10 for First Class with orders consisting of stamps, dies and stencils only! This is just fabulous as these three (3) things are the many things I always buy!

From left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) LLD Coffee Cup Die-namics
Lawn Fawn Milk and Cookies Lawn Cuts
Lawn Fawn Love You a Latte Lawn Cuts

I quickly browse through the Lawn Fawn section as I have two (2) sets of stamps that I been dying to have for months, the Milk and Cookies and Love You a Latte and their matching Lawn Cuts. They are in stocks and without much consideration, I just click 'Add to Cart'. Since I got my Lawn Fawn wishlist fulfilled, I browse through other brands and ended up with more things on the cart. Like usual, I did not immediately paid for the items as there are so many shops and stamp companies offering discounts and promotions. I need to weight out my best options.

Item I bought from Taylored Expressions (TE)
Taylored Expressions (TE) Luggage Tags Dies

Then, I wander to Taylored Expressions (TE) website as they are also having Black Friday Sale with 30% off everything in stock for 24 hours only that begin on 27 November 2014! I been eyeing some of TE's products for some times now. However, due their pricing (because their stamp is not clear stamp but pre-trimmed red rubber stamps mounted on cling foam) and not many retailers carry their products, it is quite hard for me to get their products. But this time, I am not going to miss out this Black Friday Sale of their's. Although Butterfly Reflections Ink do carry TE products, the stamp sets and dies I want are not in their store. As I browse through TE products, I just keep adding the items I want onto the cart without thinking. That is one way of my online shopping style and by the end, I will just re-think again on the items on my cart and delete whatever is not necessary.

Then, I wander to other shops and do the same style of online shopping. In the end, after calculating the total amount I need to pay and the currency exchange rate, I am way out of budget! The amount is so huge that it scared me and without much though, I discard the 'not-so-must-have-items' from various stores and re-calculate. However, the amount is still way out of my budget. Then, I discard again until three (3) stores left, Butterfly Reflections Ink, TE and Simon Says Stamp which already caused me a hole-in-my-bank-account.

I ended up buying the most from Butterfly Reflections Ink because of the variety of stamps and dies I can get with great discount (I saved more than USD20!) and most importantly, cheap shipping fees! For TE, I ended up buying one (1) dies only as I put most of my dollar to Butterfly Reflections Ink and Simon Says Stamp. I made all my payment on the same day, 29 November 2014 (Malaysia local time). I got Butterfly Reflections Ink shipping notification on 02 December 2014 but the date on the package is 29 November 2014 instead. The next day, TE sent in their shipping notification and the date on the package was 02 December 2014. Anyhow, the most important is that the packages arrived safely to my hands and thanks to my dearly husband for picking them up at the post office early in the morning today.

I am so glad that Jennifer introduces Butterfly Reflections Ink and I definitely will come back when there is a sale on as their shipping fees is just so irresistible. :P Actually my this time shipping is costing more than USD10 as stated on the package which is USD10.94. On the invoice, Vanessa, owner of  Butterfly Reflections Ink has also noted this. Beside the slashing on the shipping, she also written some thank you note in the same purple ink and have a mark beside the items I bought which I believe is checklist mark on the invoice.

Taylored Expressions (TE) Thanks Dies

Oh, yes! I almost forgotten about one (1) unexpected item that I got from TE. It is the 'Thanks' dies as shown above. It is stated that TE gave it away as a token of appreciation for the customer's support! It was stapled on the invoice on the right upper corner. Same as Butterfly Reflections Ink, TE also had hand written thank you note in blue ink and checklist mark on the invoice. How nice of TE to include the 'Thanks' dies  and it is really useful for me as I been thinking to get one but now, it seem there is no need. I even can save up that budget for another thing! I am just happy and glad!

Now, off to play with my new toys and hopefully I manage to make a luggage tag for my best friend as Christmas present.

Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tags

Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tags

Made these tags for my colleague's kids whose I promised early of the year that I will make a Christmas card for her as she likes my works. Frankly speaking, I really do not have much time to make cards this year due to my day job. Thus, I will take one of the Christmas card I made last year for her instead and include these fresh made tags. I hope her kids like this Christmas tags.

Close-up: Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tag #1

First of all, those warm clothing images such as hat, scarf, mitten and earmuff are stamped on a piece of white card stock and colored using Copic markers. Then, they are die cut using the matching dies.

Close-up: Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tag #2

As for the tags, several different colors card stock are die cut. After pairing up the colors, one of the tag in the pair is stamped with a sentiment border using gold ink all over the tag. This stamped tag is later trimmed whereby the upper and bottom are the concern parts. These upper and bottom parts are punch using border punch.

Close-up: Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tag #3

On the other tag in the pair, the sentiment is stamped on the center of the tag. The punched upper and bottom part of the tag is attached accordingly to the other tag. Then, the tag is 'accessorizes' with the hat, scarf, mitten and earmuff using foam tape.

Close-up: Wishing You a Warm & Wonderful Christmas Tag #4

Finally, a silver ribbon is tied to the tag as finishing touch!

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

1) Craft Your Passion Challenge 243 - Non-Traditional Christmas (ends by 13 December 2014)

2) Party Time Tuesdays (PTT) Challenge - PTT193 - Anything Goes (ends by 14 December 2014)

3) MarkerPop Coloring Challenge #57 - Winter/Christmas (ends by 14 December 2014)

4) Loves Rubberstamps Challenge 130 - Winter of Christmas Theme (ends by 15 December 2014)

5) MilkCoffee Challenge - Christmas with Non Traditional Colors (ends by 17 December 2014)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : B00, B02, B05, BG23, E11, E13, E33, R20, R22, R24, RV04, V04, V09, Y17, YR02, YR07 and YR15

Butterfly Thank You for Your Purchase

Butterfly Thank You for Your Purchase

Made this card for one of my returning Copic markers buyers. This time she bought the Copic multiliners which I newly added into my store.

MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #205 (MFTWSC205)

I adopt the simple sketch from MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #205 (MFTWSC205) as shown above. Somehow, I mirror the sketch as I want the sentiment to fit as explained below.

First, the butterfly is stamped onto a white circle and colored using Copic markers. Some dots are randomly added to the proportion of the left wing using glitter silver pen and replicate to the right wing after that. These silvery dots really add some interest onto the butterfly!

Close-up: The butterfly

A pattern paper that is die cut using the stitched journaling card die is attached onto a yellow card base. Then, the circle butterfly is attached onto the journaling card using foam tape as in the sketch.

Close-up: Sentiment in the banners

For the sentiment, the "Thank You" is stamped in pink ink onto a pink banner with die cut earlier. I am just happy that this "Thank You" banner stamp fit just nice into the banner die cut even they are two (2) different brands. The next sentiment, "For Your Purchase" is also stamped onto the pink banner using pink ink. These sentiment banners are then attached onto the bottom left side of the card as in the sketch. I omitted the third banner from my card as there is not enough room.

Close-up: Pre-made rose embelishment

For the final finishing, I added two (2) gems onto the butterfly antenna. I also added a pre-made rose as embellishment as in sketch to the card. Finally, the four corners of the card base is rounded to match the journaling card.

Dimension : 11.43cm x 8.89 cm or 4.5" x 3.5"

Type : Top fold

Inlay : None

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

1) MFT Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge #205 (MFTWSC205) (ends by 09 December 2014)

2) Little Red Wagon - Challenge #266 - Things with Wings (ends by 09 December 2014)

3) Addicted to Stamps and More! - Challenge #124 - Clean and Simple (ends by 09 December 2014)

4) Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #161 - Anything Goes (ends by 10 December 2014)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : B02, BG23, N4,R24 and V04

Monkey Thanks for Your Purchase

Monkey Thanks for Your Purchase

Made this card for another of my first time Copic markers buyers who uses Copic markers in her arts. From her blog, I know that she wants to be a successful zoologist. Well, that make me wonder why she is into art.....but I remind myself not to judge the book by its cover as you never know what talents do a person hold. Thus, maybe she is well talented in art as well.....

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #52 - Sketch

I adopt the simple sketch from Addicted to CAS - Challenge #52 - Sketch as shown above.

Close-up: Coconut tree with a monkey

I choose a coconut tree with a monkey image as my buyer ambition is to be a successful zoologist. I try to link something that is related to her so that she feel more personal when receiving the card. The image is stamped onto a white card stock and colored using Copic marker. Then, the sky and grassland is created using distress ink. Three (3) orange brads are attached onto the left side of the card as in sketch. It is then attached onto a red card base which already lined with colorful polka dots washi tape using pop dots.

Close-up: Speech bubble with sentiment

The sentiment is stamped onto a speech bubble and trimmed accordingly. It is attached above the monkey as if the monkey speaking it using partial pop dots and glue. The sentiment arrangement on the sketch make it perfect for such creation! Lastly, three (3) orange gems are added to the bottom of the sentiment.

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

Type : Vertical fold

Inlay : None

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

1) Addicted to CAS - Challenge #52 - Sketch (ends by 28 November 2014)

2) Sentimental Sundays Challenge #234 - Heartfelt Thanks (ends by 29 November 2014)

3) One Stitch At A Time - Challenge #224 - Anything Goes with Giving Thanks (ends by 29 November 2014)

4) The Friday Mashup Challenge - FM187 - It's All About the Weather! (ends by 03 December 2014)

Stamps and tools used :

Copic marker used : BG23, E11, E13, E21, E25, G17, YG03 and YG06