Ztampfilicious

It’s been a week since the last entry! What’s up? Well, something weird is happening with my body. Somehow I have developed an allergy to something that has yet to be found. It all started at the beginning of this month… just a harmless little itchiness above my left wrist. But then I noticed a splatter of tiny reddish bumps there. Hmmm. Insect bites? I didn’t give it much thought until a few days later when I noticed similar itch and bumps on my right arm, above the wrist – almost symmetrical to the left one! Within a week, it got so much worse – all the way up my arms…

So I’ve been to a doctor twice and to a dermatologist once. So far none of the medication seems to really work. The new medication did ease off the bumps but new ones still appearing here and there… Spreading to my legs and parts of my body. Never mind how my skin looks now… I know one day it will smooth itself out. But maaan… it’s so itchy all over! Although I know that everything must come to an end which means this itchiness will come to an end one day, it is still a royal PITA indeed! What’s worse, it disturb my sleep too so I’m not getting enough sleep although I go to bed early (an achievement for me, the chronic night owl!).

The thing with allergy is that there are thousands of possible allergen. To pin point exactly what it is could take a lot of time, time and resources. So for cases like me – which considered to be not so bad, most doctors would just choose the take the short cut. That is, easing off the allergic reaction without really knowing the cause of it.

Now, allergy could happen suddenly. Things or food that you have been having all your life could out of the blue become allergen. Your body simply decided to react badly to them. I’m worried that this is the case with my allergy because I can’t recall having anything new/unusual around the time I first got the itchiness. Then the possibilities are wide open… it could be anything! Although… according to the dermatologist, judging from my itchiness it doesn’t seem to be from food. Food allergy usually give wider reaction, i.e. retching, dizziness, swelling and such. So I guess my condition is not so bad indeed.

But still… what could it be the cause? A mystery to solve! If I don’t know what it is, then I can’t do anything to prevent it from happening again! And trust me, it’s a royal PITA to have this itch all over your body!

Ohkay. Enough about that unpleasant subject. Let’s move on to something more useful and fun! Have you heard about TrailFire? I found out about it from Heidi of DigiscrapInfo.com. You can read about it here. It looks like a useful thing to implement so I gave it a try!

I’ve always wanted to see how my kits are being used by my customers (you!) and from time to time I’m lucky enough to see them on public galleries such as DST or SBB. Some of you would give me links or even uploaded your layouts to Ztampfest Gallery. But what if we could build a list of layouts done using certain kits that everyone can add to and view! This will create a good inspiration source too!

For example, here I made a trail for Phrench Phoebe Layouts:
http://trailfire.com/fhung/trailview/48120

If you’re registered at TrailFire, you can add to the list! See how easy it is done. I like the nifty buttons – very clever! In the future, I might add more trails for each kit so if you need more inspirations for using certain kits, just visit the trail and you can see various layouts from various sites, not limited to Ztampfest or DST or SBB or wherever:).

I’ve also created this trail: Mac Tips’n Tricks – for Mac users like me. I hope they will find it useful!

To see all the Trails that I’ve created so far, you can visit: http://trailfire.com/fhung/. I’m still building them. I think that over time it could be a handy valuable cross-reference vault that is accessible from anywhere on the net :).

And speaking of Mac… Leopard is unleashed today! I’ve been waiting for it for so long! You know what my plan is? I’m going to get myself a top of the line iMac. 24″. 2.8 GHz. 4 GB RAM. 1 TB HD space. Yes, I need a really powerful machine for my kind of work. Large display will help too! I’ve been doubting over whether to get a desktop or not since the last time I was using desktop was in 1998, on a PC. After much reconsideration… I decided that yes, a desktop will work best for me. So as soon as the iMac is shipped with Leopard inside, I’ll place an order at Fortress. What is Fortress? It is an electronic shop chain in Hong Kong that offers 2-year interest free installment plans when you spend over HKD 2,000 (USD 255). Isn’t it just great? That’s my secret why it seems so easy for me to just decide: “I want the top of of the line iMac available out there!” :D.

Now… the Ztampfans Challenges. I’ve made a boo boo which you can read about in Ztampfans Group @ FaceBook. But more importantly, the voting is now begun! Go there and vote for your favorite layout! The lucky winner will get a $20 Gift Certificate to be used at http://ScrapSupply.com!

And I made a new layout today using my new halloween stuff:

Well, that’s it for now! TEO is just back with chocolates and DVDs for the weekend! He’s cooking dinner now – I’d better go to the kitchen and harass him a bit ;).

Have a wonderful weekend, Everyone! Wish me luck so the allergy will go away soon!

Just a quick post – I’m suffering from a new allergy that keeps me scratching all over! It’s not pretty! But anyway… I managed to get the Ztampf! MINI Crafty Calendar 2008 Kit ready for you :). It is available in US English and Global English versions.

The original collapsible desk-calendar great for super special gifts that last the whole year and then some! Now in Mini Vertical: the size of the finished calendar is 5.25″ x 7.50″ with the Stand Folder (the size of the calendar pages themselves is 5″ x 7.25″). Create fully customized keepsakes to give for Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Days, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Just Because…

Click any of the images above to see it in the shop – there are more preview images there.

NOTES:
You can print and assemble your CraftyCalendar at home and the binding can be done at your local output/copying center i.e. Kinko, Staples, Costco, etc. The material for the Stand/Folder is 0.5 mm thick mounting board which you can get from your local craft supply/stationery shop. More detailed information is provided in the Instructions Booklet.

If you would like to do your own binding, check out the small Bind-It-All machine – available from ScrapSupply.com. To get the Bind-It-All Detailed User Guide (not included in the purchase of the machine itself), just click here.

Enjoy crafting your super special calendars!
I’d be very happy to see your creations in the gallery :).

Have a fabulous weekend, Everyone!

First off, the Ztampfever No. 27 has been released! Have you subscribed yet?

Did you know that you can read previous editions from this page here: http://ztampf.com/ztampfever.html? Just scroll down to the Archive section. You might not be able to enjoy past coupons, but a few direct download links would still be there ;). Some people found the newsletter layout to be inspiring too :).

Have you heard? The Ztampf! Weekly Challenges has ended and of course, after much agonizing choosing between so many amazingly gorgeous layouts, we’ve got the winners!

THE GRAND PRIZE WINNER IS… MamaCrina with “Once Upon A Time“!
Congratulations!

The Winners for the Week 4 Challenge:
• First Communion by LynnZant
• Fairy Dreaming by 5Angels
• Lissy by Sternrakete
Click here for the complete list of winners.

Those of you loving the challenges, worry not! We’re going to have fun bi-weekly challenges over at Ztampfans Group starting this Thursday, 18 Oct. 2007. How does it work? A new challenge will be posted every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month. The challenges, requirements and prizes will be varied but ANY ONE is ALWAYS welcome to play and to vote. Participants may post as many layouts as they wish.

Participants will have 1 week to upload their layouts with the following week dedicated for voting time. Anyone may vote but only 1 vote is allowed per challenge. The Layout that received the most votes will win. The winner will be announced along with the posting of the next challenge.

What do you think? Interested to play? You will need to join Facebook first. Don’t worry, it is super easy and fun! It could be addicting though, so be warned ;). Once you’ve joined, look for my name Lie Fhung or Ztampfans Group.

Now… the brand new stuff:

And the Deutsche Version of the Ztampf! 5×7 Card Calendar 2008 Kit is now available:

Is that all? Nope! I’ve received my Bind-It-All machine last week and I’ve used it to bind my newest Crafty Calendar Kit coming up to the shop by this weekend! It took some practice to make a perfect binding though, so I advise you to make a mock-up calendar set to practice with. Later you can use this as a guide/example. Here’s a sneak peek for the new Crafty Calendar Kit. Most of the kit is down, I just need to work on the illustrated Instructions Booklet.

I used the Centering method with 6 holes so that I can have 4 Calendars made from just 1 Double-O Wire binding. Yup, I am a thrifty gal at heart! But it looks good that way, isn’t it?

The Bind-It-All machine will be perfect for the regular size Ztampf! Crafty Calendars too! Get yours from my favorite shop here. In my experience, all orders come with a tiny pack of m&m’s ;). I haven’t shopped there much since I’ve gone digi though…

That’s it for today. Now I need to get some lunch and if I am lucky I might be able to catch a nap too! (Only had about 3.5 hours of sleep last night!).

Lebaran for Moslem people is akin to Christmas Day combined with New Year’s Day for Christians. My country Indonesia has a large number of Moslem – one of the largest in the world, actually. Indonesian government recognizes 4 other major religions beside Islam: Catholic, Protestant, Buddhism, and Hinduism.

The Islam in Indonesia in general is a moderate one, therefore Indonesian people enjoy a relatively peaceful co-existence between religions. However, there were from time to time violent attacks and riots happened between the Moslems and Christians. These are mainly orchestrated by some radicals – unwelcomed by the majority of Indonesian population. There have been some increase and worries about the development of these radical groups. They want to turn Indonesia into an Islam State – by any means. Oh the horror!

I have many Moslem friends in Indonesia. They are wonderful, peace-loving people. They totally disapprove of those radicals and the violent means they employ. I hope Indonesian moderate Moslems will consolidate themselves and raise against the horrible radical movements so peace co-existence between religions can prevail…

Today is Lebaran Day. Idul Fitri. Devout Moslems would abstain themselves from eating and drinking from sunrise till sunset for 30 days prior to the Lebaran Day, the day the celebrate the power of their faith to control their worldly desires.

Wishing all my Moslem Friends a very peaceful and happy Idul Fitri!
May compassion and wisdom will bring lasting peace in this world…

Credits:
Background paper: Art Scene Paper Pack
Journaling label: Journalicious
Oval label and metal bar fastener: Soaring Kit
Flourish element: Balinesia ARTiStrokes
All by Lie Fhung of Ztampf.com
Fonts: TXT Sloppy Script, Prestige Elite Standard and Awkward

TERMS OF USE (TOU)

In the light of recent events related to my Terms Of Use, Copyright and such – I have added a Page here in Ztampfilicious Blog where anyone can easily find the terms and requirements of use for Ztampf! products. All of this has always been available from the Ztampf!Shop as well, but I reckon the more widely it is made available, the easier it will be for people to find it – whether they are particularly looking for it or not.

Some people, especially those who are totally new to digital scrapbooking or online communities might not realize that when they download or purchase digital scrapbooking items, what they obtain is the rights to use the items but they do not have the rights of ownership to them. In other words: they do not own the items, even the ones they purchased. Instead, they are given a non-exclusive right to use them for their own personal use. There are certain terms and requirements attached to them. These are usually specified in the Terms Of Use (TOU) or Read Me file enclosed within the related downloadable files/folders. Terms Of Use often varies from one designer to the next, so make sure you read the ones you are using.

I would like to emphasize here the importance of reading the Terms Of Use (TOU) of ANY Designers whose work you are interested in. When the Terms Of Use is made available in their website, then make sure you read it thoroughly before downloading anything. Understanding the TOU will help you to avoid committing copyright violation acts or illegal file sharing activities out of ignorance. If in any doubts, just email the Designer. I am sure they will happily answer your questions.

I realize that my Terms Of Use and Licenses might felt to be too lengthy by some people. I’m afraid it is so by necessity to provide as comprehensive and as precise information as I could. I am aware that some people and many non-English speaker customers might find it difficult to completely understand the terms. If you have ANY questions regarding them, please do not hesitate to email me. Do not wait until someone informed me of “copyright violation case” as has happened several times. PLEASE read my Terms Of Use before you even clicking the “Add To Cart” button. Thank You for those of you who have done so. And Thank You very much for abiding to them :). I really appreciate it.

TUTORIAL USE LICENSE

With the rapid growth of digital scrapbooking, there have been a growing numbers of personal websites offering tutorials for using various digital imaging programs. A lot of these tutorial websites provide downloadable ‘material’ so people can replicate the steps described in the tutorial. This is a very effective way to learn indeed. Sadly, some tutorial writers either didn’t read or simply don’t understand the Terms Of Use attached to the ‘material’ they are redistributing through their tutorial packages.

I realize that tutorials are benefiting many people and I would like to support them by providing a Tutorial Use License. This way, tutorial writers can continue providing tutorials along with the related materials with clear conscience; without violating my copyright and Terms Of Use. Everyone’s happy! Click here to read it and if you’re interested to obtain one, just email me with all the required information.

That’s it for now :). Thank you for reading this!

Upload Alert! Finally managed to get this ready – now available at Ztampf!Shop:

More preview images:

And here comes the Card Calendar Kit in 5×7 inches size with all the date on 1 page! As usual, I love to include more… so here are 3 Card Calendars PLUS 3 matching QuickCards which you can use on the back side for double-sided printing and as card-size QuickPages (see the additional preview image). I have also included a template to create a tent-fold greeting cards using this Card Calendar Kit, along with 3 sets of matching card covers. Of course, instructions provided!

These make great gifts and keepsakes for your loved ones and yourself :). Available in US English with the Weeks Start on Sunday and Global English with the Weeks Start on Monday.

What’s included in the pack:
• 3 5×7 inches Card Calendar pages in PNG format and transparent windows for your photos
• 3 5×7 inches QuickCards in PNG format and transparent windows for your photos
• 1 Dates Overlay (2008) in PNG format with transparent background for you to use with any papers/kits you want to create your calendars from scratch.
• 9 Unique Date Markers in PNG format as reminders for those important dates!
• 3 sets of matching Card Covers (spread, 10×7 inches)
• 1 Tent-Fold Card Template
• Instructions with Illustrations

All created at 300dpi for optimum print out result.
Created using the very popular Structure Kit, Soaring Kit, and Phrench Phoebe Kit.

Comments? Questions? Just e-mail me!

Have fun digiscrapfting ;).

Yay! Thank you very much to everyone participating. There are so many beautiful layouts with even more creative techniques to choose from! Well, the job is not getting any easier… After much considerations, we’ve finally got the winners:

• Adi Tamir with Eye for An Eye
• mamacrina with Park + Daddy = Playtime
• Zwyck with Because I Love You

The 3 creative scrappers above are winning the following:
• a Ztampf! $135 Gift Certificate
• a KOLO Cortina CD Album shipped to your address – cool and perfect to keep your backup cds!
• a KOLO 10% Off Discount Coupon to be used at http://mykoloalbum.com – a gorgeous and flexible alternative for printing your digital layouts. Read more…

All non-downloadable prizes will start shipping at the end of the Weekly Challenges – October 15th, 2007. Please email me your complete postal address! The Ztampf! GC has been emailed directly from the shop – please watch out for it :).

I also would like to mention some outstanding layouts that *almost* make it:
• LynnZant with Scrambler
• LilysMom with Amy’s Costumes
• Sternrakete with Luna

Congratulations! Excellent work! Keep those gorgeous layouts coming for the WEEK 4 Challenge – the last round of the Ztampf! 2nd Birthday Weekly Challenge! Don’t forget that everyone who participated in ALL 4 challenges will receive a little gift from Ztampf! ;).
Happy Scrapping!

The last round of the Ztampf! 2nd Birthday Weekly Challenge!

DEADLINE to post your entries: Oct. 13, 2007 – midnight, New York Time Zone before Sunday, Oct. 14. To see what time is it now in New York, click here.

Each participant may submit up to 3 (three) layouts each week. You have to be a registered user in order to be able to upload your layouts here.

3 lucky scrappers will win the following:
• a Ztampf! $135 Gift Certificate
• a KOLO Cortina Mini Album shipped to your address – cute for keepsakes to carry around in your purse!
• a KOLO 10% Off Discount Coupon to be used at http://mykoloalbum.com – a gorgeous and flexible alternative for printing your digital layouts. Read more…

This Week 4 Challenge is brought to you by Edeline and Novita.
Here’s the challenge:

The winners will be announced here and at the Ztampfilicious Blog on the evening of Oct. 15, 2007 (New York Time Zone). The Grand Prize Winner will be announced in the Ztampfever Newsletter as well!

Don’t forget that everyone who participated in ALL 4 challenges will receive a little gift from Ztampf! ;).

Happy Scrapping!

P.S.

I have been working on a couple of new 2008 Calendar Kits – I just need to create some actual samples, take photos of them, write the instructions and they’ll be up at the shop… Probably sometimes next week. Just can’t finish them by this weekend… I’m sorry!

Just a short post to let you all know that there is a brand new stuff up at the Ztamp!Shop now:

How do you like it?

There are a total of 16 different – 12″x12″ page overlays.

Includes:
• 2 Flying Bats Overlays
• 3 Blood Splatter Overlays
• 1 Creepy Bugs Overlay
• 1 Dancing Fairies Overlay
• 1 Fallen Leaves Overlay
• 1 Pumpkin Jacks Overlay
• 1 Skeletons Overlay
• 2 Spiders Overlays
• 3 Trailing Stars Overlays
• 1 Flying Witches Overlays

Positively terrific for Halloween and Fall/Autumn projects – but a lot of them are ztampfiliciously versatile for many other themes from gothic to dreamy whimsical to romantic to teenage angst types of projects.

Combine two or more overlays to create new imageries. Crop certain parts to be used as accents. Use them to create patterned papers, use them on top of your layouts… Discover the possibilities!

And here’s a layout I just did with it:

It’s me dressed up as a Vampire Queen circa 1994. Twice a year in the evening of the Graduation Day, the Fine Art & Design Faculty students would throw a costume party. It was always such a great fun. The art students would make up their own costumes as where we lived then no ready-made costume was available. There would be performances by the art students, mostly music bands. I was in one ;).

Hope you like the new Lumoz Page Overlays Set!

It’s been a very busy weeks with the girls here and I haven’t got much time to designing. Nevertheless… you can expect a couple of new stuff appearing at the shop by this weekend ;). More Calendar Kits will be ready by next weekend too!

Anyway, the girls had a wonderful time during their 2 weeks visit here and they didn’t feel like to leaving. We spent most of the time yesterday shopping stuff for Phoebe’s exchange program to France in November. We took some family snapshots and had a very delicious pepper steak dinner that Timothy cooked for us. After dinner we spent a long time chatting and joking – it was great fun! They are such funny and wonderful girls!

And today they were supposed to fly back to Melbourne. We all got up very early; their flight was at 9 a.m. Alas, Phoebe started throwing up in the middle of the night… and it continues this morning so they get to extend their stay after all! Poor girl, she is now lying down on the sofa with her father keeps her company. If she didn’t get better by noon, we’ll take her to a doctor…

While checking up on her earlier this morning, I caught a magnificent view of the sunrise… I particularly love the way the sun rays fell on Hong Kong island and the way it looks peeking out from behind the clouds!

And here are the pictures we took last night – can’t wait to scrap them!

Oh, don’t forget to join the Week 3 Challenge! There are some really beautiful entries already!

DEADLINE to post your entries: Oct. 06, 2007 – midnight, New York Time Zone before Sun, Oct. 7.
To see what time is it now in New York, click here.

3 lucky scrappers will win the following:
• a Ztampf! $135 Gift Certificate
• a KOLO Cortina Mini Album shipped to your address – cute for keepsakes to carry around in your purse!
• a KOLO 10% Off Discount Coupon to be used at http://mykoloalbum.com – a gorgeous and flexible alternative for printing your digital layouts. Read more…

Happy Scrapping and Good Luck!