Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Here’s a kit to help you create your very own Chinese New Year Greeting Cards. It’s versatile because versions without the Chinese Greeting are also provided so you can use these cards for various other occasions from Weddings to Birthdays to Anniversary to Babies and more! These cards were created using mostly the brand new upcoming Spring Festival Kit! So watch out for it ;).
And don’t forget… The Calendar SALE is ON!
ENJOY :).
Looking for inexpensive and yet super special Valentine’s Gift?
Go handmade with these unique calendar kits… Easily craft your own, fill them with pictures of your memorable moments, personalize further with special dates and captions or messages… These make distinctive gifts that will last a whole year and then some! Precious and yet affordable :). Perfect for Anniversaries and Birthdays too!
And… they are now on SALE:
ENJOY ;)
Recently I have been spending more time in my studio which is very good for my mental health :). No, I haven’t been working on any of my art projects just yet. I’ve been crafting. I’m just glad to have some opportunities to use my own Ztampf! Clear-Stamps to prettify stuff we use daily.
Here I used the Floralique Series to customize my Black CIAK Sketch Book. I also inserted a length of gross grain ribbon stitched with a pretty button to make a shoulder-length strap. A pretty cool and practical way of carrying a sketch book, don’t you think :).
And yesterday I improved an old cushion cover that I made a few years ago. Yes, using yet another piece of leftover IKEA curtain! It was hand-sewn and the color is a bit faded now. I have been using a couple of big safety pins for the closure – and now finally it got proper buttons! I stamped the front side with Ztampf! Clear-Stamps (Floralique #2) using pigment ink (Inkredible!). Since the stamps are modular based, you can build your own patterns by combining them. The possibilities are endless! And because they are clear, you can see them as you creating the pattern. I didn’t make any sketch for this project – just stamp it along. Next I should try colorful ink on light colored fabric!
Closer looks:
Ztampf! Clear-Stamps are available from ScrapSupply.com.
This is my new sewing machine, a new year’s gift from my belovedst man. It’s Janome 419S. It can sew denim and canvas – an important feature for me as I plan to use it to create some soft-sculptures with canvases. I hope it is capable of sewing into book’s binder board too! We’ll see.
The first projects I did were very simple. A table cloth and a cushion cover, both made with leftover IKEA curtain. We have plenty of it because in our previous apartment we used IKEA curtain as dividers in hallways. I also use IKEA curtain to cover my open shelving unit to keep things looking neat regardless of the fact behind the curtain ;).
For the table cloth, we have been using it as it was until one of the edges got frayed. I was happy for a chance to learn to use the ‘Over Casting Stitch’ to hem the edges. Then I impulsively played with one of the decorative stitches – so now the table cloth looks a little bit prettier :).
For the cushion cover, I made various folds then stitched over them with various stitches. I used very pale blue thread for this. I wish I had colorful thread, it would have looked much prettier. Now it looks very subtle, which is not bad, actually. I need to go shopping for more thread one of these days! Right now I only have Black, Dark Brown, Broken White, Stark White, Navy, Pale Beige, Pale Grey, and Very Pale Blue. Just the most basic, you know.
I think I do love sewing! The mistake I made most often so far is forgetting to lower the presser foot before starting to sew! So silly! Oh I have also tried to stitch buttons (and button holes!) with the machine. Pretty cool!
I love to make things. I used to make things regularly. I mean handicrafts. Making things with my hands, as opposed to make things digitally. There is nothing wrong with making things digitally. I love it too. But I do miss working with my hands, taking risks with every action/treatment I bestow upon my tangible materials. There is no “undo” and “redo”. What’s done is done. Usually there is room for improvisations to save a botched action which might improve the object-in-the-making, lifting it to an ever higher level, or it might permanently damage it beyond any salvation. I think this is a good exercise to toughen myself up. To accept that in the process of creation, waste is inherent. Or, to see it from a better point of view, they are not waste. They are part of the process – they have served their purpose and given their contribution.
One of my main resolutions for 2009 is to achieve and to maintain a good balance between digital and analog (analog as in non-digital, non-computer-generated). Yes, to go back to create things with my hands, from simple craft projects to concept-based art projects. I have to re-learn how to play fearlessly again, to take risks and derive joy from it all. I need to create more art. I’ve been starving myself of art making for too long. I can’t go on like that. So I have to make time for it.
But I can’t just abandon digital world – oh no. And I need it. I need it because I do love doing digital works as well. While the magic in crafting by hands is in “The Magic of Transformation”, the magic in digital work is in… hmmm.. from “The Magic of From Nothing to Something” – which is totally awesome and amazing too, if you ask me! I also need it for practical reasons: to pay my studio rents, my personal bills, my share of household bills; in short: to earn my own living – to earn my self-confidence and worth as an independent adult. So… what I aim to achieve in 2009 (and to maintain it forever!) is to combine both digital and analog in my various works. That doing digital does not exclude analog activities. Of course there will be projects that are entirely digital, or entirely analog. But from now on, I will readily consider the possibility of the combination, however little it might be.
To record my progress and to motivate me more, I created a new category in my blog here, entitled “manuFactor” – from Latin manu factus, literally, made by hand. My philosopher husband Timothy gave me this title back in 2004 when I was handcrafting a lot. Those of you who are interested in handicrafts may subscribe to this Category, just log in and edit your preferences :).
If you want to make one yourself, you can download the templates for ‘Daily Do Planner’ ( the content pages and the cover – minus the ‘Daily Do’ title) here. It’s for A4 size paper. You can customize them digitally (or manually) by adding your own title, etc. There are Inner Page and Outer Page. Print four of each on both side with full-bleed option enabled. Use the same template for each side (Inner Page with Inner Page, Outer Page with Outer Page). Score and fold the paper accordingly. Now unfold them and stack them all together. Alternate the pages by flipping them one for every two pages so one page has the flap on the left and the next one has the flap on the right. This is to avoid bumpy bulk built by the flaps if they are all kept on the same side. Place all of the Inner Pages on top of the Outer Pages, with the Cover on the bottom most. The cover should be slightly wider than the content pages. Fold them all together, optionally, press underneath thick, heavy books for a few hours (best left overnight) to flatten them.
Next is the binding. You will need a bookbinding awl or you can use any tool with a sharp point. Now lay open the planner and center the pages well within the cover. Hold the half part of the planner (the first half of the pages and the front cover) and bring it down, creating approx. 45º to the other half that is laid flat on your desk. Hold the center firmly, hold your bookbinding awl at 45º and drive it right in the fold (for the exact location, refer to the top right pic on the image above). Repeat the step to punch the second hole. Finally do the stitching! Start from the inside out, and knot the end in the inside to lock the stitch! You might want to press the planner again under heavy books to flatten it before using! Enjoy :).
Welcoming 2009…
Over 200 items are generously marked down!
You wouldn’t want to miss this!
So hop into Ztampf!Shop now and enjoy the NEW YEAR SPECIALS while you can!
Don’t you just love fireworks?
Isn’t now is that time of the year when soon sparkling fireworks will grace our dark evening sky? So… are you ready to welcome 2009?
Here is a pack of 12 fantastic FireWorks Papers to scrap the memories! They are delightfully rich, festive and elegant! Great to scrap various special occasions with fireworks in the picture: New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year, 4th of July, Disneyland visits – to name a few. Now you are ready to scrap those new year’s eve party pictures ;)
If you need some quiet solid backgrounds to work with these, you’ll find them in the BackDrops Paper Pack (only $2.50 for 16 solid background papers with subtle texture!) and in the new Shades of Black (only $1.85 for 9 textured solids in various shades of black).
An indispensable pack of 9 black papers in various textures and shades for whenever you need a black paper!
Blacks… true black, blacks with a faint hint of navy blue, reddish brown, olive green, and more! With slightly grungy textures you want to touch. Get this pack today!
Hope you like them :).
For those celebrating Christmas, may it bring you and your loved ones much joy and all things nice and heart-warming!
For those not celebrating it, may the jubilant atmosphere bring you and your loved ones much joy and all things nice and heart-warming – as well! :)
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all! Cheers!!!
Have you subscribed yet?
Well, I think you will probably want to use what’s tucked in in the newsletter to get this newest series… Full of unique and delightful ztampfiliciousness! Honestly, the previews just can’t do justice to the dimensional details of the papers and elements in this Snow Country Series:
Also available:
– Snow Country AlphaSet
– Snow Country Ensemble Set
– Snow Country QuickPage Album
And of course… for the Best Deal, just get the Snow Country Package Saving: get them all at discounted pricing – plus receive a Bonus! Pssst… read the newsletter first for an even bigger saving ;).
And there is more… You can quickly create beautiful pages for a Brag Book as a gift option this holiday season with this new Frosty Noel BragBook Set! Most of the pages can be used to create holiday greeting cards too! They are in standard photo size of 4″x6″ – perfect for printing at home or at your local photo printer.
Now, you can get this set for FREE when you spend $10 or more in a single order from now through end of December! That’s a $6.00 value you’ll be saving here! Just use this coupon code upon checking out: braggingten08. Enjoy your week!
A while ago, KOLO USA asked me to use their albums as a way to show some creative uses of KOLO versatile albums. I have four albums shown in a KOLO event at C!ty’Super, Hong Kong in October 2008. I really enjoyed working with KOLO Albums – creating mixed-media and hybrid pages. What I love most about it is how versatile KOLO Albums are. Their post-bound system enables me to rearrange my pages quickly. Also, I can easily add more pages as I created more.
And these albums have been featured in KOLOIST, the KOLO official blog! Check them out:
http://koloist.com/index.php/2008/11/25/lie-fhung-kolo-albums
http://koloist.com/index.php/2008/11/26/mixed-media
http://koloist.com/index.php/2008/12/03/soar
http://koloist.com/index.php/2008/12/11/flight-journal-album
I have also uploaded photos of the albums’ content to the Ztampfest Gallery here where you can browse most of the pages I did. I try to give as detailed supply info when possible, along with some technical notes. While ordering photobooks online is fast and easy, creating your own hybrid albums is so much more fun and personal, I think! Plus, you have the flexibility to re-arrange your pages and let your album grow as you created more pages. Oh and I personally think they will make gorgeous holiday gifts ;).
– “Childhood Memories” – a Hybrid album in KOLO Newbury with Chartreuse cover
– “Soar” – another Hybrid album in KOLO Noci with Cobalt cover
– “Artisting” – a mixed-media art album in KOLO Noci with Mango cover
– “Flight” – a straight forward printed digital layouts in KOLO Newport with Chocolate cover
Enjoy! Hope they will inspire you to create your own!
Have you seen this latest addition to Ztampf! Shop?
Available in US English and Global English Versions
Use them to make Postcards, Tent-Fold Greeting Cards, Two-Fold Greeting Cards, Fridge Magnet Cards… The QuickCards can be used to make a mini album too! These make great gifts and keepsakes for your loved ones and yourself :).
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
• 3 Styles of Dates Overlay (2009) in PNG format with transparent background for you to use with any papers/kits you want to create your calendars from scratch.
• 6 Unique Date Markers in PNG format as reminders for those important dates!
• 3 sets of matching Card Covers (spread, 10×7 inches)
• 1 Postcard Back
• 1 Tent-Fold Card Template
• Instructions with Illustrations
Created using various recent Ztampf! kits at 300dpi for optimum print out result. These are designed to fit into an A3 size paper to result in 5×7 cards but can be easily re-size down to fit into Letter Size, Legal Size, and other paper sizes. For Tips and Tutorials on resizing, click here.
Come join us and enjoy some new ztampfilicious things I’ve got for you! 
Don’t forget: Saturday, 22 Nov. 2008 – 10 p.m. EST (US) at DST Chat Room! I would love to meet you and talk about all things Ztampf! and beyond :). Hope to see you there!
It’s still sending out now… in batches… so watch your mail box ;). Haven’t subscribed yet? Well, it’s not to late to subscribe as I will requeque it a few times later/tomorrow!
Meanwhile… take a look at what new stuff I have just added to the shop:
The previews just can’t do justice to the subtle details that make these papers so special. Anyway, I have made a few layouts with them featuring my cute nephew – perhaps you can glimpse more of the papers through them (click to enlarge and view detailed info):
The Chinese Calendar Add-On Pack for the CraftyCalendars are now available too:
And guess what! I have another Brand New item called Silken Rose. It is so pretty and I bet will come in handy for your festive holiday projects – and it’s only $1.25 for today and tomorrow (Sun, 16 – Mon, 17) only! So hurry up! No coupon is necessary (although if you want one, just subscribe to Ztampfever now ;) )…
Enjoy… :)
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