Reindeer Merry Christmas Ornament

Reindeer Merry Christmas Ornament

With this Christmas ornament, I have hit my 2015 Christmas cards/projects target which is five (5) in total! Well, I know the quantity is small but at least I made my target. I will try harder next year!

I am making this Christmas ornament to be put in one of my office team Christmas tree which is on top of a her desk. I do not think it is not really the team Christmas tree as as far as I know no one sponsor for it. It is rather a personal interest to make up the festive feel in the office as we spend so many hours in office nowadays. I would like to make a small contribution to the Christmas tree as well to send my wishes to others. Thus, I made this Christmas ornament.

I guess it would be fun to make a shaker Christmas ornament as handmade things are very rare found and see in Malaysia. Thus, I guess a shaker Christmas ornament would make it more appreciated and noticeable.

Close-up: Adding shimmer before the shaker Christmas ornament is assembly

I use a digital stamp that come with both the image and sentiment which is printed and die cut into circle. Both of them are colored using Copic markers. I also outline the images with blue marker to make it pop on the white background. After coloring, I add shimmer to the reindeer's nose and the banner which really show those festive feeling!

Then, the supplies for shaker Christmas ornament are die cut and assemble accordingly. I double up the foam so that there are more rooms for the beads to move around.

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

1) Just Us Girls JUGS - Word Week #322 - Merry (ends by 10 December 2015)

2) Crafty Girls Creation Challenge 10 Anything Goes (ends by 17 December 2015)

3) My Time to Craft! - Challenge #310 - Christmas Animals (ends by 18 December 2015)

4) Natalie and Amy's Challenge - #39 Christmas (ends by 28 December 2015)

5) A Gem of a Challenge - Challenge #159 - Anything Christmas Goes (ends by 08 January 2016

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: B00, E11, E13, E21, E23, E35, E37, E50 and R29

Merry Kissmoose

Merry Kissmoose

I am continuing my Christmas cards/projects target and this is another card I made today.

Happy Little Stampers (HLS) December Sketch Challenge

For this card, I am adopting simple Happy Little Stampers (HLS) December Sketch Challenge as shown above.

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, some faux stitching are added to the edges of the circle before it is distressed to tone down the whiteness. It is attached onto a yellow scalloped circle using foam tape. Two (2) giggle eyes are added to the moose.

Close-up: The moose with Christmas hat

A snowflakes pattern paper is trimmed and attached onto a card base. Then, the scalloped circle with the moose image is attached onto the card as in sketch.

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. It is attached onto the card using foam tape.

Close-up: Shimmer on the Christmas hat

The card is finished off with adding some shimmer to the white areas of the Christmas hat.

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) Happy Little Stampers (HLS) December Sketch Challenge (ends by 31 December 2015)

2) Just Us Girls JUGS - Word Week #322 - Merry (ends by 10 December 2015)

3) Crafty Girls Creation Challenge 10 Anything Goes (ends by 17 December 2015)

4) My Time to Craft! - Challenge #310 - Christmas Animals (ends by 18 December 2015)

5) Natalie and Amy's Challenge - #39 Christmas (ends by 28 December 2015)

6) A Gem of a Challenge - Challenge #159 - Anything Christmas Goes (ends by 08 January 2016)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: E11, E13, E21, E23, E25, E27, E29, E33, E35, G07 and R29

Cookies and Gingerbread Season's Greetings

Cookies and Gingerbread Season's Greetings

I am continuing my Christmas cards/projects target today which I left it hanging for a month. So far, I only have one card and one tag and my target is to have at least five (5) Christmas cards/projects. Add-on with this card, I total have three (3) Christmas cards/projects in my hands now. Hopefully I can achieve my target by this weekend! *crossing fingers*

CAS(E) This Sketch #151

For this card, I am adopting CAS(E) This Sketch #151 as shown above. With this sketch, I also got inspired by The Friday Mashup Challenge - FM236 - It's Cookie Time! whereby I use both chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread man. I just love chocolate chip cookies especially during Christmas.

Close-up: Cookies, gingerbread man and sentiment

I started off by stamping the cookies in grid and leaving two (2) empty grids to stamp the gingerbread man and the sentiment. These cookies and gingerbread man are then colored using Copic markers. I randomly color the cookies shades in different directions to reflects the reality in baking. The corners are rounded and attached onto a purple card base.

Cookies and Gingerbread Season's Greetings - Inside

As the card base is quite dark to pen down message, a layer of inlay is used. Two (2) bitten cookies are stamped on the bottom left corner and upper right corner of the inlay and colored using Copic markers. The inlay is then corner rounded and attached to the inside of the card.

Close-up: Bitten cookies in the inlay

Close-up: Blue gems as buttons

The card is finished off with adding three (3) blue gems to the gingerbread man buttons and corner rounded the card base.

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

Type : Vertical fold

Inlay : Yes with stamped images

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

1) CAS(E) This Sketch #151 (ends by 10 December 2015)

2) The Friday Mashup Challenge - FM236 - It's Cookie Time! (ends by 16 December 2015)

3) Just Add Ink #291 - Just Add 'C' (ends by 09 December 2015)

4) Crafty Girls Creation Challenge 10 Anything Goes (ends by 17 December 2015)

5) Natalie and Amy's Challenge - #39 Christmas (ends by 28 December 2015)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: E11, E13, E21, E23, E35, E37 and T7

Just to Espresso My Gratitude for Your Purchase

Just to Espresso My Gratitude for Your Purchase

Made this card for another of my first time Copic markers buyers who uses Copic markers in her arts.

Sketch Saturday Week #389

I am adopting Sketch Saturday Week #389 as shown above.

The mug is stamped on a white corner rounded square die cut and colored with Copic markers. The steam is stamped on top of the mug to show that it is coming out from the mug. Then, it is distressed with ink to tone down the whiteness. 

Close-up: The mug layer on the red scalloped square

On a green card base, the coffee beans are randomly stamped to create background. A red scalloped square die cut is attached onto the card base as in sketch. The the corner rounded square die cut with colored image is attach onto the red scalloped square using dimension foam.

Close-up: Sentiment

The sentiment is stamped onto a yellow strip and corner rounded. Some faux stitching is added around the sentiment. It is later attach onto the card base as in sketch.

Close-up: Shimmer on the steam and mug

The card is finished off with adding some white pearls to the four corners of the ed scalloped square die cut and three (3) pink gems below the sentiment. I also added some shimmers to the steam and the mug.

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) Sketch Saturday Week #389 (ends by 04 December 2015)

2) AAA Cards - Game #53 Anything Goes (ends by 05 December 2015)

3) Pile It On (PIO) #97 - Use Red and Green (ends by 05 December 2015)

4) Craft Your Passion Challenge 290 - Always Anything Goes (ends by 06 December 2015)

5) Wags 'n Whiskers - Challenge 167 - Ribbons and/or Pearls (ends by 10 December 2015)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: E33, E35, R81, R83 and R85

My Favorite Things (MFT) Goodies that are Taxable with Custom Duty Tax (Import GST) :(

Top from left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Scallops Stencil
My Favorite Things (MFT) Graduated Hexagons Stencil
My Favorite Things (MFT) Red Delicious Die-namics
Bottom from left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Lollipop Additions - Birthday Stamp
My Favorite Things (MFT) Grand Greetings Stamp

This post suppose to be a happy and exciting post since I received My Favorite Things (MFT) goodies and I am suppose to brag about it. However, I am afraid that I need to alert you ahead that this is going to be a sad and dissatisfaction post. Why? Keeping reading and you will know why and hopefully you do not make the same mistakes or able to find alternative solutions.

On 13 November 2015, I received MFT newsletter saying that they will be having annual MFT Retirement Sale with incredibly diverse collection of more than 300 Die-namics, stamps and stencils, all offered at a 50% savings! Seeing that message, I quickly click to MFT website and navigate my way to the 'Sale' category as there is where the 50% discounted items are!

From left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Lollipop Additions - Birthday Stamp
My Favorite Things (MFT) Grand Greetings Stamp

There really lots of items on this retiring sale including one of my wishlist stamp set, the Lollipop Additions - Birthday. Without much thinking, I just add this stamp set to the cart because:

1. this stamp set is retiring as announced by MFT in the newsletter. Thus, this is the best time to buy this stamp set or it would be hard to find in the market later
2. I need this stamp set because few months ago, I bought the Die-namics Lollipop Treat without the matching stamp set due to limited budget
3. I am thinking to make a small gift to distribute to my son's classmates during his birthday (crossing fingers that it can happen next year since his this year birthday is in two (2) days time, 22 November)
4. There are appreciation sentiments in this stamp set other than birthday sentiments which is great as giving lollipop as appreciation gift would be a good idea! :P

Well, since I already have one (1) items in my cart, how could I stop just having one when there is this 50% retirement sale going on? The very good reason I gave to myself is as per reason #1 above. So, I just proceed to scan through the potential items page-by-page. After a through search, I finalize the items in my cart by weighing the item usefulness, usage frequency and flexibility or transform ability (means other than being use as it is, can the item be used as it not suppose to be).

I chosen another stamp set which is a sentiment only stamp set. I seldom buy sentiment only stamp sets as I do not think it is worth the money. But this particular sentiment stamp set, Grand Greetings is great as it has some design and style. I also realize that I been lacking on huge sentiment stamp sets which sometimes I struggle when making clean and simple (CAS) cards. So, this Grand Greetings is just perfect as it has the sentiment I use often.

My Favorite Things (MFT) Red Delicious Die-namics

Then, I choose a Die-namics, the Red Delicious as it is good for making Teacher's Day cards. Other than that, since its stem and leaves are separate individual dies, perhaps it can be used to be match with other dies. Finally, I added another two (2) stencils into my cart.

The total order cost less than USD$30 which is just worth it as I really got the items I want but the shipping is the main, main issue as shipping rates always burn a hole in my pocket. There are few options of shipping methods offered and I always go for the cheapest rate which is USPS First Class Package. However, perhaps due to the weight of the items, the shipping rate for USPS First Class Package and FedEx envelope International Priority is just a few dollar difference! Well, since the difference is not much, of course I choose FedEx envelope International Priority as it is more faster arrival and there is tracking number. I must admit that this is where is mistake is.

I paid my order directly using my credit card this time as my RHB bank account where I usually top up my PayPal balance is out of money. Usually I will deposit cash into the bank account and top up my PayPal balance the next day. However, I do not want to wait this time as MFT has announced in the newsletter that these retiring items are at its limited supply. I do not want to risk this order as I encounter numerously previously that the items I really want is out of stock after I deposit the money to top up my PayPal balance. In the end, I end up abandoning my previous cart as the most wanted item is out of stock.

This annual MFT Retirement Sale really popular as after three (3) days of my payment, I receive an e-mail from MFT notifying that they are still working hard to ship the orders generate from this annual MFT Retirement Sale. Later the same day, MFT notify me that my items has been shipped.

Since I am using FedEx services to ship my items, it took about four (4) days for the package to reach my house. However, when I was contacted by FedEx delivery guy to ensure that I am at home, this is where the shocking news hit me! I was told by him that I need to pay RM37.90 for the custom duty tax or he would not release the package to me. What the heck?! The FedEx delivery guy called me again when he reached my apartment compound and ask me to go down to the lobby instead as he could not come in (the lobby is only accessible using access card). I ask my dear hubby to pick up the package instead. When he comes up again, I re-confirm with him if really have to pay the RM37.90 custom duty tax and he says he did or I would not get my package. Hearing that, all my excitement about receiving the goodies just vanished.....

From left to right:
My Favorite Things (MFT) Graduated Hexagons Stencil
My Favorite Things (MFT) Scallops Stencil

With the package and the RM37.90 custom duty tax payment made, there is receipt and bunch of paper documents. I check the receipt and those documents wanting to know why I am being charged for the custom duty tax as I never encounter this before ever since I start buying from oversea online years ago. I am really not satisfy being charged more as I made quite an expensive payment on shipping fees!

The first document is a custom duty tax advice where it is an invoice issued by FedEx that the package is being imposed with import GST (Goods and Service Tax) at RM32.90 and 'Free Commercial Zone' charges at RM5.00. The second document is a receipt from Royal Malaysian Customs (Jabatan Kastam Diraja Malaysia) whereby it imposed the import GST of RM32.90. The next three (3) pages of third document are declaration documents from MFT.

The last document is how the get the amount of import GST of RM32.90. It written that my items cost USD$28.98 which is correct and exchanged to Ringgit Malaysia at exchange rate 4.3287 which is equal to RM125.45. The next line is the one makes me scratching my head which is the freight charges of RM421.59. I suppose the freight is the shipping charges which I paid at USD$21.06 to MFT. I just do not understand why the freight charges should be imposed with import GST! Even they want to impose charges on the freight charges, it should be USD$21.06 as declared by MFT in the earlier third document exchanged at 4.3287 which will be RM91.16. But they straight away put as RM421.59 which really makes no sense! Then, the third line is insurance at RM1.25. All together totaled at RM548.29 and imposed with import GST at 6% is equal to RM32.90. If the freight charges were to charge at RM91.16, I only need to pay RM13.07 import GST in total! Now, I am paying RM19.83 more! Also, I am not sure why I am being charged RM5.00 as 'Free Commercial Zone' charges. I cannot find this RM5.00 charges anywhere in the documents except the custom duty tax advice issued by FedEx.

The moral of this time are:

1. never ship with other big and popular commercial logistic providers as listed by the vendors you want to buy from
2. just because the shipping rate is a few dollar difference between the usual shipping method, USPS First Class Package and the more expensive shipping method, FedEx envelope International Priority, do not be greedy

I think it will took me some times to consider buying from oversea again after this incident. I am just so not in mood on my new goodies this time.....

Elephants Wedding Wishes

Elephants Wedding Wishes

Made this wedding wishes card for an ex primary schoolmate who is getting married this Saturday.

Viva la Verve Sketches - November Week 1 Sketch

I am adopting Viva la Verve Sketches - November Week 1 Sketch as shown above.

Close-up: Chinese wedding related pattern paper and stripe banner

Pattern paper with 'double happiness' in Chinese character, '喜喜' and Chinese wedding related images is used as the overlay of the background. Then a stripe banner is die cut and attached onto the pattern paper background as in the sketch. A silver ribbon with hearts 'hanging' on the sides are attached onto the earlier two (2) items as shown in the sketch. I did tie a bow as it is hard to tie a bow using this ribbon due to its 'hanging' hearts on the sides. The whole panel is attached onto a red card base using dimensional foam and double sided tape.

Close-up: The female elephant (cow) and male elephant (bull)

The elephants are stamped onto a white card stock and colored using Copic markers. I did not use the elephant natural colors as I like to differentiate the male elephant (bull) and female elephant (cow) literally. Then, they are die cut using the matching dies.

A stitched journal is die cut onto a light pink card stock which will act as the base for the elephants to 'sit' on as shown in the sketch. The sentiment is stamped on center top of the journal card and embossed in gold.

Close-up: Sentiment embossed in gold

The elephants are arrange accordingly below the sentiment and attached onto the journal card using dimensional foam tape. Some hearts flying out above the elephants are stamped onto the journal card to represent that these elephants are in love or is a pair of couple. Finally, the journal card is attach onto the card base as shown in the sketch.

Dimension : 12.7cm x 19cm or 5" x 7.5"

Type : Vertical fold

Inlay : None

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

1) Viva la Verve Sketches - November Week 1 Sketch (ends by 03 December 2015)

2) Just Us Girls JUGS - Word Week #318 - Stripes (ends by 12 November 2015)

3) Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge - Challenge 162 - Use Some Red (ends by 15 November 2015)

4) Catch the Bug Challenge Blog - November - Anything Goes (ends by 15 November 2015)

5) Craft Your Passion Challenge 287 - Always Anything Goes (ends by 15 November 2015)

6) The Corrosive Challenge - Challenge #237 - Add a Sentiment (ends by 21 November 2015)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: B02, B04, B06, R81, R83 and R85

Teacher, Thank You - One Sketch Two Cards

Teacher, Thank You

I am taking a pause from my Christmas cards target by making these cards using one (1) sketch.

CAS(E) This Sketch #145

I have this idea on my mind on how to use the CAS(E) This Sketch #145 as shown above once I saw it. I thought I want to incorporate the Christmas theme cards since I am on Christmas cards target but my stash does not have what I had in mind. Thus, I have to pause from my Christmas cards target by making these cards.

Close-up: The negative 'teacher' die cut with watercolor background

First, I layer four (4) generous distress inks onto a watercolor paper and spritz some water on it. After it is dry, I die cut the 'teacher' word four (4) times onto the watercolor paper as shown in the sketch. The negative from the die cut is attached onto a yellow card base.

Close-up: The teacher die cut on the yellow card base

As for the four (4) die cut 'teacher' words, there are attached onto another yellow card base correspond to the negative teacher die cut position as in the sketch as well.

Close-up: Mini doily with sentiment

Another sentiment is stamped onto a light blue circle and attached onto a purple mini doily using foam tape. The mini doilies are then attached onto the card base as shown in the sketch.

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

Type : Horizontal fold

Inlay : No

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

1) CAS(E) This Sketch #145 (ends by 22 October 2015)

2) Addicted to Stamps and More! - Challenge #166 - Anything Goes! (ends by 20 October 2015)

Supplies used:

Sweetest Wishes for the Happiest of Holidays - Candy Canes

Sweetest Wishes for the Happiest of Holidays - Candy Canes

Making another Christmas card for the coming holiday. I hope I have at least five (5) Christmas cards in my stash by mid November 2015.

Viva la Verve Sketches - October Week 3 Sketch

For this card, I am adopting Viva la Verve Sketches - October Week 3 Sketch as shown above. It is also inspired by Cute Cards Thursday Challenge 395 - Candy! whereby I will use candy cane.

Close-up: Candy canes

The candy cane is randomly stamped on a white stitched journal card whereby I masked the outer side and also the bottom for the sentiment. The outer side of the stitched journal card is outlined using Copic marker to give some focuses.

Close-up: Sentiment and fish tailed hanging banners

For the sentiment, another red stitched journal card is die cut and trimmed for the bottom as required size. The sentiment is stamped onto it and later layer onto the candy cane stitched journal card. Some blue fish tailed banners are attached to the bottom of the stitched journal card as shown in sketch. The stitched journal card is attached onto a light green card base using slightly smaller than the stitched journal card size foam and double sized tape.

Close-up: Holly ivy on the mini doily

Two (2) holly leaves are stamped onto a small white circle and colored using Copic markers. Three (3) red gems are used as ivy. Some faux stitching are added to the circle. The circle is layer onto a green mini doily using foam tape. The mini doily is attached onto the card as in sketch.

Close-up: Glitters on the candy canes and holly leaves

The card is finished off by applying some glitter onto the candy canes and holly leaves to give it some sparkles.

Dimension : 10.1cm x 15.2cm or 4" x 6"

Type : Horizontal fold

Inlay : No

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

1) Viva la Verve Sketches - October Week 3 Sketch (ends by 05 November 2015)

2) Cute Cards Thursday Challenge 395 - Candy! (ends by 14 October 2015)

3) Addicted to Stamps and More! - Challenge #166 - Anything Goes! (ends by 20 October 2015)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: B00, G07 and YG17

Be Merry Santa Tag

Be Merry Santa Tag

I think it is time to start on some Christmas projects or I will have nothing when comes to Christmas! For starter, I made this tag. :P

Tag You're It Challenge #32

This tag was inspired by the Tag You're It Challenge #32 as shown above.

I use digital stamp as I do not have any Santa Claus image in my collection. The Santa Claus image is printed and die cut into a tag, obviously since it is inspired by the Tag You're It Challenge. Then, it is colored using Copic markers.

Close-up: The Santa Claus

Another green tag is die cut and stamp with background stamp. This green tag is then layered behind the Santa Claus tag. The reasons being are one, to cover-up the bleed of the Copic markers and second, to give some special to the tag.

Close-up: Sentiment on the green fish tailed banner

For the sentiment, I stamp it onto a small fish tailed banner. Using the ring enforcer die, I die cut a hole onto the green banner so that the banner can be layered on top of the Santa Claus tag.

Close-up: Glitters on the Santa Claus' clothing and light bulbs

The tag is finished off with adding some glitter to the white areas of the Santa Claus' clothing and the light bulbs. I also try to outline the image as suggested by Kathy Racoosin on her blog here and it really makes a difference. The image is more focus and pop! Finally, a red and green checked ribbon is tied to the tag's hole.

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

1) Tag You're It Challenge #32 (ends by 21 October 2015)

2) MarkerPop Coloring Challenge #79 - Anything Goes! (ends by 18 October 2015)

3) Crafty Ribbons Challenge - Challenge 130 - Christmas to Die for Dies and Ribbon (ends by 20 October 2015)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: B00, B04, E21, R29, R35, R46, T7, YG13 and YR16

Many Thanks (Recycling Material from Previous Project)

Many Thanks

As mentioned in my previous post, I had some die cuts of stenciled pattern circles which leftover from the previous project. Today, I decided to use these leftovers before they get tucked somewhere on my desk and I forgotten about them.

MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge - Sketch 250 (MFTWSC250)

For this card, I decided to play MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge - Sketch 250 (MFTWSC250) as shown above.

Close-up: Punched border on the right side

I started off the card with some punched borders as inspired by Papertake Weekly Challenge - Two by Two whereby I will layer both left and right side with punched borders. Before I attach the punched borders to the card base, I layer a piece of pattern paper first as shown in the sketch.

Close-up: Mini doily with stenciled pattern circle and sentiment

A tag with fish tailed end is die cut and attach onto the pattern paper as shown in sketch. The mini doily circle is die cut and the leftover of stenciled pattern circles from the previous project is attached onto it. The mini doily circle is later attached onto the tag covering the tag hole.

The sentiment is stamped on a green fish tailed banner. It is attach onto the card using dimension foam to give some dimension to the card.

Dimension : 10.1cm x 15.2cm or 4" x 6"

Type : Horizontal fold

Inlay : No

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

1) MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge - Sketch 250 (MFTWSC250) (ends by 20 October 2015)

2) Papertake Weekly Challenge - Two by Two (ends by 19 October 2015)

3) Lawnscaping Challenge 115 - Sentiments (ends by 14 October 2015)

Supplies used: