Rose Thank You for All That You Do!

Rose Thank You for All You Do!

Made this card for my son ex-kindergarten teacher who is also his daycare provider. Tomorrow will be his last day at her daycare nursery as my husband and I decided to discontinue his enrollment so that my husband can help him to concentrate on Chinese writing and learning as the daycare nursery does not provide. Somehow, this teacher/daycare provider is very patient with my son as from do not nothing, my son can now talk and write smoother. My son was four (4) years old when he is under her care and after a year plus, I say that is an impressive result.

Always Playing With Paper - The Challenge #75 {Wild Card Sketch}

Back to the card.....I am adopting the sketch from Always Playing With Paper - The Challenge #75 {Wild Card Sketch} as shown above. However, I flip down sketch so that I can have my sentiment at the bottom of the card instead on top of the card.

I started off the white background with a stencil where I apply three (3) distress colors onto it. Then, it is trimmed accordingly to the size of the card base. A mesh ribbon is attached onto the background as shown on sketch before the background panel is attached onto the card base.

Close-up: The sentiment

The sentiment is stamped below the mesh ribbon in black ink. A half cut doily is attached to the opposite of the mesh ribbon as in sketch. 

Close-up: My signature 3D rose

I decided to make my signature 3D rose since I have the matching die to ease a bit of the job. I stamp three (3) roses and colored them in Copic markers. One of them is die cut using the matching die while the other two (2) are trimmed accordingly to the portion I need. Then, I stamp the leaves in green card stock with green ink before die cut them accordingly. Once everything are ready, I assemble the leaves onto the card as shown in the sketch. The base of the rose that die cut with matching die is attached onto the assembled leaves. Follow by the second and thirs layer of the rose with dimensional foam.

Close-up: Shining rose

As final touch, I add some shimmer onto the rose to make it all shine and nice!

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

Type: Vertical fold

Inlay: None

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

1) Always Playing With Paper - The Challenge #75 {Wild Card Sketch} (ends by 05 June 2016)

2) Glitter 'N' Sparkle Challenge - Challenge 190 - Flower Power (ends by 04 June 2016)

3) Craft Your Passion Challenge 314 - Always Anything Goes (ends by 05 June 2016)

4) Not Just Cards Challenges - Challenge #32 - May Challenge (ends by 13 June 2016)

5) Crazy 4 Challenges - C4C338 - Teacher Thank You Card (ends by 27 June 2016)

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: R81, RV14 and RV23

Monkey Couple Congratulations on Your Wonderful News

Monkey Couple Congratulations on Your Wonderful News

Made this wedding congratulations card for my two (2) Malay colleagues who are tying the knot today. They are so secretive about their relationship that I did not realize until I received the wedding invitation! The news really shocked and surprised me but I wish them well. :)

Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge - Challenge 252 - Anything Goes + Option of a Sketch!

For this card, I am adopting the sketch from Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge - Challenge 252 - Anything Goes + Option of a Sketch! as shown above.

Close-up: The monkey couple

First, the monkey couple image is stamped on a white circle die cut along with the tree trunk. Then, they are colored with Copic markers. I also outline the monkey couple as suggested by Kathy Racoosin on her blog here as I want to make the monkey couple more focus. I tone down the background with a shade lighter blue Copic marker to mimic the jungle. The leaves are stamped surrounding the monkey couple to give more jungle illusion.

On a yellow card base, a green pattern paper is attache onto it as in sketch follow by the pink hearts red background pattern paper strip. Then, the circle image is attached onto the card base as in sketch.

Close-up: Sentiment

The sentiment is stamped on a green frame die cut and attached onto the card base as in sketch. As final touch, some shimmer are added to the monkey couple and I might overdone a little. :P Then, four (4) yellow gems are attached to the corner of the frame.

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

Type: Top fold

Inlay: None

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

1) Wednesday's Creative Inspirations Challenge - Challenge 252 - Anything Goes + Option of a Sketch! (ends by 07 June 2016)

2) Little Red Wagon - Challenge #343 - Round and Round (ends by 31 May 2016)

3) Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - Challenge 279 - Anything Goes (ends by 31 May 2016)

4) Inspiration Destination Challenge Blog (IDCB) - Anything Goes Challenge No. 87 (ends by 31 May 2016)

5) 7 Kids College Fund Challenge Blog - Challenge #152 - Anything Goes! (ends by 31 May 2016)

6) Crafty Girls Creation Challenge 19 Anything Goes (ends by 01 June 2016)

7) Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (ends by 01 June 2016)

8) Crafty Gals Corner - Challenge #73 - Anything Goes (ends by 01 June 2016) 

Supplies used:

Copic markers used: B00, BG01, E11, E13, E21, E23, E35, E37, E55, E57 and YG17

Blackboard Teacher's Day Cards

Blackboard Teacher's Day Cards

I been working for few days on my son's kindergarten Teacher's Day cards as it is weekdays and I need to work. Thus, I only managed an hour or so at night to make the cards while being constantly distracted by my son. But today, I finally finish the cards.

Blackboard Teacher's Day Cards with You're the Best Principal! and You're the Best Helper! sentiment

I decided to make a blackboard cards which uses the chalkboard technique as well the new matching dies that I purchase earlier. First, I trim some black card stocks that will be used for the chalkboard technique. Then, the sentiment is stamped which mainly on 'You're the Best Teacher' while one or two cards in different sentiment to cater for the principal and a helper. Later, the sentiment and the hearts are embossed using white embossing powder. I must says that my chalkboard technique is not at mastery level as some of the sentiments and hearts are not fully covered in embossing powder. I admit the result is not as desire as I hope it would be but I like it as it really reflect the reality of a blackboard art - the perfect imperfection. :)

Blackboard Teacher's Day Cards with Hey, Teacher! You Rule! sentiment

Once that chalkboard technique part is done, I move on to stamp the board and the accessories - duster, chalk, ruler and apple on a white card stock and colored them using Copic markers. Once coloring is done, they are die cut using the matching dies.

Blackboard Teacher's Day Cards with You're the Best Teacher sentiment

When everything is ready, it is time to assemble the blackboard. Once the blackboard is assemble onto the board, I smear some white ink on the blackboard to give it a more realistic look. My son even helped on one or two cards! 

The whole blackboard is later attached onto a green card base using dimensional tape and finished by adding the accessories onto the blackboard.

Mini bags and name labels

These are the bags I used to insert these cards into together with the gift. The labels are just great to make both as decoration as well as whose this bag is entitled for. I made the same for both my daughter's Teacher's Day gifts and well as Administrative Professionals Day gifts but I did not photography them.

Supplies used:

Apple Teacher's Day Cards

Apple Teacher's Day Cards

Tomorrow is my daughter school Teacher's Day celebration and I only prepared the gifts but not the cards! Thus, I am rushing the Teacher's Day cards now which I managed to get them done in time! Phew~

As I need to make a bunch of cards in a limited time, I opt for the fastest way which is mass produce a series of same cards. Thanks to the My Favorite Things (MFT) Red Delicious Die-namics which I bought last year, I am finally have the chance to use it. Furthermore, I did purposely purchase My Favorite Things (MFT) Red Delicious Die-namics for making Teacher's Day appreciation cards.

First, I die cuts a number of the apple bodies, follow by the white circle cards which will be sandwiched inside the apple body to create a card, the stems and leaves. After all the items has been die cuts, the sandwich cards inside the apple body are assembled. Then follow by the stem and leave.

Apple Teacher's Day Cards with Thank You Teacher sentiment

On the front of the apple body, I die cut two (2) different 'thank you' sentiments from my stash on two (2) colors sticker card stock as it is easier to assemble on the apple body due to the die cut delicacy. As the other 'thank you' sentiment die cut is not occupying as much space as the floral 'thank you' sentiment die cut, I die cut another sentiment, 'teacher' on sticker card stock as well to form 'thank you teacher' sentiment instead. At least there are some variety in sentiment and colors. :P

Apple Teacher's Day Cards with floral Thank You sentiment

Finally, some gems are added to the flowers of the floral 'thank you' sentiment die cut. While on the other design apple, one (1) medium and one (1) small yellow gems are added to mimic the shine on an apple.

Luckily my son's kindergarten Teacher's Day celebration has been postponed to Friday, 20 May 2016 which allow me sometimes to mass produce another set of Teacher's Day cards.

Supplies used:

Texture Pastes and Free Birthday Present

Left: Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday
Right: Ranger texture paste sample pack

On 08 April 2016, Simon Says Stamp send me an automated e-mail that contains a code of my free birthday gift if I purchase from Simon Says Stamp store which expires by end of April 2016. The free birthday gift is a Simon Says Stamp exclusive stamp Birthday Celebration as below.

Simon Says Stamp Birthday Celebration

During the same time, there is a 20% Ranger sale which valid until 10 April 2016. In view that I been wanting to get a jar of Ranger texture paste, I saw the opportunity to shoot two (2) birds with one stone! However, on 09 April 2016 when I tried to order and apply the birthday and the 20% Ranger sale code, only one coupon code is allowed! :( I e-mail Simon Says Stamp to ask if I can order two (2) separate orders using the birthday code and Ranger code coupons but shipping fees charged for one time only. However, to my disappointment, the answer is no. :(

Ranger texture paste sample pack

On 15 April 2016, Simon Says Stamp send me another automated e-mail to remind me on my birthday gift. Since the 20% Ranger sale has past, I tried to to compare the price point of the product versus the shipping fees from other online stores are offering. During the hopping, I discovered actually there is a three-in-one pack of Ranger texture paste which I believe it was released earlier this year. The three-in-one pack (or sample pack) come with texture paste in opaque matte, transparent matte and transparent gloss in 1 oz jar (the bigger jar is 3.9 oz). I find this sample pack is more suitable to me because:

• it is in smaller jar which serve the purpose I may not use it as often
• the price is cheaper
• more variety of pastes

After much comparison, finally I find it is a wise choice that I go ahead to buy the Ranger texture paste sample pack from Simon Says Stamp. Although the product price and shipping fees are not as comparative to other online store, I get to have my free birthday gift - a plus point to remember.

Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday

I ordered on 29 April 2016, a few days before the birthday code coupon expire but when I enter the birthday code coupon, the stamp applied to my cart is not Simon Says Stamp Birthday Celebration! It is Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday (please refer photo above)! I am not sure why there is a change in the free birthday gift or perhaps Simon Says Stamp Birthday Celebration is out of stock. Actually, I really fond on Simon Says Stamp Birthday Celebration because of the elephant and balloon. Well, since it is a free birthday gift, I just take whatever it is as it is free after all. :P

Actual Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday

On 03 May 2016, Simon Says Stamp e-mailed me to inform my order was shipped on 02 May 2016 and leave me with a tracking number. After a week plus, finally, the package arrived safely on my hands! I am anxious if the free birthday gift is actually Simon Says Stamp Birthday Celebration or Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday. I know it is Simon Says Stamp Magical Birthday as it was what being carted into my cart and indeed it is.

The only additional tool I need to get now is the palette knife which I think I can use something similar to it as I am doubt if I am going to use the texture paste as often. I also need to re-visit Jennifer McGuire Ink blog on her techniques using texture paste so that I can apply some of the techniques! Yay!

Finally, Some Alphabets Dies!

From left to right:
Cole's ABCs Lawn Cuts
A Good Apple Lawn Cuts
Flutter By Lawn Cuts

I have some unexpected bonus in March 2016 and also a need to purchase some older version Lawn Fawn stamp set coordinating dies that are useful for coming few events especially the Teacher's Day. Furthermore, Ever-Angel.com is having a promotion for pre-order Lawn Fawn stamps and dies sets where there will be 5% discount for Lawn Fawn pre-order total above RM100 and 10% discount for Lawn Fawn pre-order total above RM250.

Coupon codes from Ever-Angel.com

A Good Apple Lawn Cuts

The matching dies I wanted the most is A Good Apple Lawn Cuts. The A Good Apple Lawn Cuts is merely for my conveniences to make some Teacher's Day appreciation cards. But I bet I will be using this stamp set more as there is a matching dies to ease the die cutting of the blackboard which is great for a lot of occasion.

Flutter By Lawn Cuts

Second matching dies I wanted the most is the Flutter By Lawn Cuts. I been using this stamp set a lot and been making my signature 3D rose using this stamp set. By having the Flutter By Lawn Cuts, I can save some times on cutting my signature 3D rose. Furthermore, with the matching dies, I can better use other images in the stamp set.

However, these two (2) Lawn Cuts coordinating dies total is not yet reach the RM250 threshold in order for me to enjoy the 10% discount. Since I been longing for some alphabets dies, I decided to pre-order the alphabet dies which is not in Ever-Angel.com store yet. I e-mail Ever-Angel.com owner, Elin asking her to add both the Finley's ABCs Lawn Cuts and Cole's ABCs Lawn Cuts into her store. 

Cole's ABCs Lawn Cuts

I am not sure which line of alphabet to get and decided to do some survey by reviewing the product introduction video by Lawn Fawn owner, Kelly Marie Alvarez. After reviewing the product introduction video, I decided that Cole's ABCs Lawn Cuts is more suitable to my needs. By adding Cole's ABCs Lawn Cuts, my pre-order now is more than RM250 threshold which entitled me to enjoy both the 10% discount as well as free shipping!

I did not place and paid for my pre-order until 10 April 2016, few days before the promotion ends. The next day, Elin confirmed my payment and update my pre-order status. I saved about RM42 from this pre-order where RM26 from the 10% discount, RM8 from the free shipping and another RM8 from my previous pre-order which I overpaid the shipping fees. What a saving!

On 04 May 2016, Elin e-mailed me on my package tracking number and the package arrived in good condition the following day. I only manage to post a message on Ever-Angel.com Facebook page on 06 May 2016 to inform on my package receipt.

I hope to use these Lawn Cuts soon on making some nice and beautiful cards!