Ztampfilicious

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Just don’t miss it if you want an even more saving to get the brand new all exciting Ghostown Series:

It all started with the Ghost Overlays… I wanted something a bit more sophisticated – not too cute ghosts for my Halloween pages. I think most teenagers and some adults would appreciate something like that too! And the series grew from there… with inspirations ranging from Tim Burton to The Great Expectation’s Miss Havisham to my own wardrobe and my beautiful teen-age step-daughters who loves ‘Twilights’ and vampire stories. Think romantic, dark and mysterious. Think luscious. Gothic. Baroque decadence… Some people might find some elements in this series a bit too strong, too dark and a bit frightening – but these elements can also be used in playful ways – which would transform their darkness to something lighter and fun.

Anyway, it was impossible to use just one small preview image to show the ghost overlays as most of them span page wide so I made extra preview images providing closer views of the luminous translucent ghost overlays (also available as a separate pack):

And here is the Ghostown PaperPack – a few of them made use of some of the overlays and 3 solid parchment papers are included (not shown in the preview):

And the Ghostown Accent Pack is so full of unique beautiful things I was so excited creating them! Some of my most favorites are:

– The shredded lacy tulle draperies (they are in jet black, pearl grey and ghost white – each in slightly different arrangement)

– The ‘mirror’ Gothic frames with scratched old surface. Place a photo behind it, especially those with dark background – it will look like a reflection from the distant past! There is the Oval and the Rectangular. A separate cobweb overlay is included. It was designed for the Rectangular one but you can crop parts of it to be used anywhere!

– The Jewel Spider – it’s so pretty! Its mechanical-looking legs gives it a modern touch. Provided as a brooch and hanging from a string of garnet.

– The blood stained polaroids… I think they are cool. I realize that it might seem a bit gory but you can use it for photo about your son scrapping his knee or something like that too! Not just for vampires… :).

– The corsages, the dark and yet vibrant big roses… and more!

The best part is that most of them can be used for scrapping various other themes beside Halloween. I like versatile stuff!

You will appreciate the rich details in them all! Check out the Ensembles and the QuickPage Album too:

Layouts I did with this series (click for larger view to see more details of the papers and elements from the series:

Get them and discover all the delightful fright of the bewitching Ghostown!

Have a wonderful weekend :)

A customer emailed me this:

“I have purchased a number of your beautiful packages and would like to use the Album and Ensembles pages on 8.5×11 pages. That means I am trying to re-size them and when I do that I loose the benefit of using the Group with Previous function that makes these pages so desirable. I am working and printing from home and so would very much like to keep this standard size.
Can you help?

I absolutely love your work and will be very disappointed if I cannot use your wonderful packages to the fullest. I know of a couple of other scrappers that would like to hear this answer so may be it would be a good subject for your newsletter. I am somewhat new to scrapbooking and so hope that I am not bring up questions that you have answered long ago!

Looking forward to your reply.
Pat”

Are you a 8.5×11 scrapper? Do you face similar problems with her? Don’t worry, I’ve written a couple of small tutorials here to help you out :). I hope they are clear enough. Do not hesitate to ask if you need further clarifications, OK!

The instructions here are for Photoshop/Photoshop Elements. The main thing before you begin is to make sure to have the ‘Constraint Proportions‘ option in the Image Size dialog box selected. If you are using other program, I’m sure there is a similar option available, so be sure to look for it. The bottom line is to make sure that when you resize, you do so proportionately so the result will look right.

1. Using 12×12 QuickPages on 8.5×11 pages
To keep the right proportion of the QuickPages, first resize them proportionately to 8.5 x 8.5 in (if you use Photoshop/Photoshop Elements: in the Image Size option, set to 70.83% or 2550 x 2550 px). Then choose a complimentary background paper. You can use a matching main paper used in the QuickPage, or you can choose a contrasting paper instead. Resize this paper to 11 x 11 in (91.67% or 3300 x 3300 px).

Now open a new file of 8.5 x 11 in page. Copy or drag the resized background paper layer to it. Align it so it’s centered. Then copy or drag the resized QuickPage and center it as well. For a softer blending between them, use your Lasso Tool, set the feather to around 55, then ‘draw’ it around the edges of the QuickPage. Then cut that portion by pressing Control+X for PC or Command+X for Mac. Finally insert your photo behind the QuickPage layer and if you wish, you can add further text or embellishment on top of the QuickPage layer. See the samples here:

Sample 1. Using a matching background paper: ‘lasso’ the edges of the QuickPage and remove the area to achieve a somewhat seamless look. I’m using Bohemian Rhapsody Package Saving here.

Sample 1b. Here’s how it looks like without utilizing the ‘lasso technique’ – note the straight, more obvious edges of the QuickPage against the background paper behind it:

Sample 2. Using a contrasting background paper:  elements are added between the QuickPage and the Background Paper (the lace), also on top of them for a more unified look (the beaded stapler and stitches). I’m using Phrench Phoebe Package Saving here.

Sample 3. A few QuickPages can be simply cropped to fit 8.5×11 pages like this one from the Birthday Bliss Album Set. It is dragged and centered on a 8.5×11 page then proportionately resized to 90.75%.

2. Using Ensembles on 8.5×11 pages
For the Ensembles, it is easy too. A few of them might be small enough to just be dropped on a 8.5×11 pages.The key is to get the background paper you want to use with it resized correctly. There are 2 ways to do this:

1. By resizing the background paper to 11×11 then center it on a 8.5×11 page like described above for using 12×12 QuickPages on 8.5×11 pages. This work best for papers with evenly spread out patterns.

Sample 4. a 12×12 page proportionately resized to 11×11 and then cropped to fit a 8.5 x 11 page. Paper is from Syrin Seamstress Kit.

2a. By cropping the 12×12 paper on the most interesting part to fit a 8.5×11 page. Open a new 8.5×11 page. Then open the 12×12 paper you want to use. Drag it to the 8.5×11 page and move them around until you found the most interesting part you like the best.

Sample 5. a 12×12 paper cropped on the most interesting part to fit a 8.5×11 page. Paper used here is from the Bohemian Rhapsody Kit.

2b. By resizing the 12×12 background paper to 11×11 first, then drag it to a 8.5×11 page and move the up and down until you find the look you like the best.

Sample 6. a 12×12 paper proportionately resized to 11×11 and then cropped on the most interesting part to fit a 8.5×11 page. Paper used is from Year In Revue Kit.

For the Ensembles themselves, just resize them proportionately. If you’re on Mac, just press the ‘Shift’ key while you are dragging the corner of the Ensemble with your mouse to resize it. In PC, I think it’s it’s the ‘Control’ key that you have to press – I’m not sure though but you can try. Another way is to use the Image Size feature: select the Ensemble then set the scale percentage accordingly.

Sample 7. An Ensemble proportionately resized to fit into a 8.5×11 page. The paper is proportionately resized down to 92% and placed on a 8.5×11 page while the Ensemble is proportionately resized down to 85%. Both are from the Birthday Bliss Package Saving.

Tips: It is usually easier to work by dragging whatever you want to use on a 8.5×11 page. This way you can see how exactly things look would look like when you resize and move them around on the 8.5×11 page.

That’s it! I hope you will find these tutorials useful. Questions? Just ask me here on the Comment section or email me. Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Scrapping :).

Yeah! I’m writing this from Shanghai – we got here in the evening of Thursday, Oct. 2nd and we’ll stay here for 4 nights. More on Shanghai later. Now I’d like to let you know that the Mini-Vertical CraftyCalendar 2009 Kit has been released:

There are more preview pictures available at the shop! Oh and the kit is available in US English Version (Weeks start on Sunday) and in Global English Version (Weeks start on Monday). Let me know if you want it in your own language :).

Bye for now! More later!

Ztampfever #37 – Part 2 has just been released. Have you subscribed yet?

• Make sure to put my email address ‘fhung[at]ztampf.com’ in your White List
• Double check your registered email address in your Subscription Page to make sure it is correct and valid

I will requeque the newsletter several times today and tomorrow so you will be able to enjoy the benefit straight away ;). Yes, the benefit that has something to do with this latest release from Ztampf! Digiscraptistry:

Dreamy, delightful and enchanting – full of festive sparkles, this series is perfect to scrap birthday and anniversary themed pictures. Hey, even weddings and other memorably blissful occasions!

With 16 background papers from the dark to pale blues, from the gentle golden to the peach to the dark burgundies along with a plethora of unique elements, you can use this kit for scrapping children’s and adults’ pictures alike. There are plenty of frames in various styles, gorgeous rainbow ribbons, sparkling jewels and the versatile Birth Date Sets consists of Date Strips, Date Markers, Month Tags and Strings. Along with the 6 large ztampfabulous Ensembles, 30 artistically crafted ARTiculate word art pieces, 14 gorgeous QuickPages and 9 fun Layered Shape Templates included in this Package Saving you are spoilt for choices and supplies to create fantastic pages, cards, etc.

Included in this Package Saving:
– Birthday Bliss Kit
– Birthday Bliss ARTiculate
– Birthday Bliss Ensembles
– Birthday Bliss Album
– Birthday Bliss Layered Shape Templates

Some layouts I did with this Birthday Bliss Series:

Check it out now HERE! I hope you’ll like it! Have a wonderful weekend!

The Shuffle Sale and Treasure Hunt have ended but the celebration is still on!

Let’s play the ‘Ztampfavorite Game‘! How to?

• Post a link/url of your favorite ztampfilicious layout on the web (i.e. on online galleries) to the comment section of this blog post along with a short note on why it is your favorite.
• The layout(s) have to be made with mostly Ztampf! products.
• For every 10 links posted, we will randomly pick The Lucky One.
• Both the url poster and the owner of the layout will get a Surprise Gift from Ztampf!
• The Surprise Gift could be anything from discount coupons to gift certificates to free products to physical goods!
• You may post your own favorite ztampfilicious layouts too – but the gift wouldn’t be doubled :).

Well, I hope you will enjoy this game! So let’s start looking and posting! Have fun :).

Yay! Today Ztampf! Digiscraptistry is 3 years old! Let’s start the celebration with Shuffle Sale and Treasure Hunt:

What is Shuffle Sale?

• The Products put on Special Sale Pricing are shuffled randomly several times during the day.
• The Sale Prices are also being randomly shuffled for extra excitement!
• The Shuffle Sale runs from 15 Sep. to midnight of 18 Sep. 2008 – US EST.
• Contact me if you have any questions.

How to play the Treasure Hunt?

• Look for this sparkling Sequin across the website, including the gallery and other non-shop pages.
• Run over your mouse or click on it to get the Coupon Code. There are 8 to 12 different Coupons each day, ranging from $5 to $20 Coupons to 3-month unlimited use 15% Off Discount Coupons.
• Each Coupon Code is valid for 3 to 10 persons, the person who used it first won the claim of the coupon so if you found one, use it immediately to prevent others from using it.
• The Coupons will be replenished daily from 15 Sep. to 18 Sep. 2008.
• Contact me if you have any questions.

Ztampfever #37 will released later today. If you are a Ztampfever subscriber:

• Make sure to put my email address ‘fhung[at]ztampf.com’ in your White List.
• Double check your registered email address in your Subscription Page to make sure it is correct and valid.

Meanwhile, fly to Ztampf!Shop to enjoy the Shuffle Sale and Treasure Hunt! Watch out for more fun stuff this weekend ;).

P.S.

Yes, of course I have a brand new series coming ;).

Many of you have asked me to release Ztampf! CraftyCalendar Kit early this year to give you more time to create more CraftyCalendar gifts for your loved ones for Christmas and New Year. Some of you told me how it has now become a tradition to gift CraftyCalendar for Christmas and how it’s always such a hit with the recipients. I am so happy to hear all these :). Please do share your experience with making and gifting Ztampf! CraftyCalendar with us here – I’d love to hear more!

And guess what?

The Ztampf! CraftyCalendar 2009 Kit is here! Now. Yes! It now comes with even more goodies to provide you with even more options in creating your very own CraftyCalendars. Check out the list of content:

Currently it is available in these languages:

• US English Version (weeks start on Sunday)
• Global English Version (weeks start on Monday)
• Nederlands Voorstelling (weeks start on Monday)
• Norsk Versjon (weeks start on Monday)
• Version Française (weeks start on Monday)
• Deutsche Version (weeks start on Monday)

Email me if you want to have the Calendar in your own language. Please note that only the name of days and months on the PreMade Calendar Pages and the 2×13-Month Date Overlays are in specific language. All the instructions will still be in English.

The finish, display size of the Calendar is approx. 8.5 x 7 inches. To see the content of the kit at a glance:

Some sample pages that I did for my husband’s calendar:

I hope you like it! If you haven’t subscribed to Ztampfever Newsletter, make sure you do! Here is the page to subscribe: http://ztampf.com/ztampfever/?p=subscribe&id=1

Enjoy :)

Thanks everyone for participating in Ztampf! Build-A-Robot challenge!

Congratulations for the Winners:
• Michelle Wilcox
• Helen Vance
• Lynn Zantopulous
Each of them is receiving a $20 Gift Certificate except for Michelle whose both of her entries received the highest votes – she’s getting a $30 Gift Certificate instead :).

See their imaginative robots closer by clicking the images below:

Aren’t they cute and oh so fun!

Yes, it’s ten days late! Oh my! Trust me, I have valid excuses :). Just read the newsletter – you’ll find out why. Of course, you’ll also find something else – hmmm… a coupon perhaps? I’m not telling ;).

IF you are a Ztampfever subscriber and haven’t received your copy of Ztampfever #36:

• Check your junk mail folder, it might strayed there
• Make sure to put my email address ‘fhung[at]ztampf.com’ in your White List
• Double check your registered email address in your Subscription Page to make sure it is correct and valid
• Contact me if you still haven’t received it

More posts coming up!

Don’t forget… you can post your votes for the Build-A-Robot Challenge through Monday, August 18th 2008! Just come over here to post your votes: http://ztampf.com/ztampfest/v/Contests/RoboKit/

Support your friends and cast your votes. Although there are not so many participants, the entries submitted are so creative and fun! Check them out HERE!

First of all, some of you might have noticed that the site has often inaccessible in the past several days. It’s coming on and off without warning. Well, this is because our web host is upgrading their server and been migrating some accounts with Ztampf!’s being one of them to a more powerful server. So please have patience, and try again after a little bit if you found the site inaccessible. When the migration is completed, the site should be up and running normally at an even faster loading time :).

Now, due to this issue, I have decided to extend the deadlines for the RoboKit Challenge. The New Deadlines are:

• Posting Entries – through Thursday, Aug. 14th 2008
• Posting Votes – through Monday, Aug. 18th 2008

Winners will be announced on Thursday, Aug. 21st 2008 instead of the 15th as originally scheduled.

So have fun creating your Robots and I really look forward to see your creative entries gracing the Ztampfest Gallery :).

Thanks and enjoy!

To build a ROBOT using the RoboKit! Yes! This is going to be fun!

Build A Robot using the elements (and papers) in the RoboKit! You can place your Robot in a layout – as long as all the stuff you are using to build the Robot come from the RoboKit! You may recolor or crop them if necessary to build your Robot. You may also use elements from the RoboKit Ensembles. Anyone is welcome to play. Each participant can submit up to 3 Robots but only can only win 1 Prize.

Three Winners will be chosen through Voting, so make sure to get your friends to vote for your Robot! The Prize is a $20 worth of Gift Certificate for each winner. Some entries will receive Random Lucky Credits too! The values vary from $1 to $3 each! Isn’t it fun?

So go build your own Robots and upload to this album no later than the end of Thursday, Aug. 7th, 2008. (You have to be a registered user to be able to upload pictures there).

Votes are accepted until midnight of Wednesday, Aug. 13th. Vote by typing “Voted!” in the Comments (Item Actions >> Add Comment). You may vote up to three entries, but can only vote once on each entry.

Winners will be announced on the Ztampfilicious Blog and in the Ztampfever Newsletter #36 on Friday, Aug. 15th.

The RoboKit can be found HERE.

Have fun and good luck!

Yeah! And it’s created using my latest series called the RoboKit. I’m really excited about this new kit because I’ve been releasing very feminine stuff recently and this one is for the boys! Well, and for their mothers, sisters and girl-friends too :).

The RoboKit is inspired by my all time favorite movies like “Delicatessen” and “The City of Lost Children” by Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro (who also made the popular “Amélie”). I saw these movies ages ago but the inspiration remains. And then a few months ago I watched a teaser for “Wall-E” and I really liked the colors and feel of the movie as well. I haven’t seen the new trailer nor the movie, but what little I glimpsed then has prompted an idea to create a kit with a robot-related theme. While there is no actual robot element in the RoboKit, you will find plenty of things that would make up a robot in it :).

Let me tell you that the preview images just don’t do justice to the rich details and variety of the papers and elements in the kit. I’ve used some of the QuickPages to create layouts and uploaded them as additional preview images – so you will get to see more of the details this way :). Anyway, I really hope you all will like the kit as much as I do (or close enough! haha!). Actually, I like it so much I’m considering to create an Add-On Pack for it already! In any case, please do let me know how do you like it, ok! Thanks!!!

Of course… a RoboKit Package Saving is also available which will give you a $3.00 saving! You could have a double saving – at $6.00 saving total if you have the ztampfilicious coupon code given in the Ztampfever #35 ;). Have you subscribed yet? It’s not too late to enjoy the benefit as I will re-queue the newsletter a few times today and tomorrow. Subscribe here.

Oh and here are the layouts I mentioned above:

If you like the last layout above, you can download the QuickPage for free at the Samplers and Gifts Section at Ztampf!Shop. Just click the layout above to get there :).

Well, that’s it for now… Enjoy :)