Our Minted Holiday Wrappers for 2015

** This post contains affiliate links. I will be compensated when you make a purchase after clicking my links.

I love personalising our wrappers and holiday cards. I am really an old school type of person so each year, I strive to send cards the conventional way and to wrap our holiday presents with our very own personalised wrappers from Minted.

The snaps below are the wrappers for our Christmas 2015 presents. I chose them because they are unique and the designs are fresh.

No Peeking wrapper by Kelly Nasuta 

Bold Washi by Sarah Curry

I am ordering more designs in the coming days and I will post them here once I receive them. Here's a sample of the Bold Washi on my gift for my mum. Isn't it lovely and classy?

I made the tag :) ©www.riablahgs.com

If you want to have your own personalised wrappers for the holidays, you may visit Minted and choose from the many selections they have.  You may also check out their holiday cards; some are customisable too! Enjoy!

(Photo credits: mine except for the Minted banner)

My ETSY Shop

Hi there!!! I love crafty stuff and making handmade cards, planner stickers and so much more. Please visit my Etsy shop - Queen Bee Craft N' Stuff for your planner stickers (which can be used for calendars, journals, notebooks, and other stuff you want to decorate!) and other crafty accessories to make your planners pretty and glam!


SHOP:  QUEEN BEE CRAFT N' STUFF

New items!

Note pad sticker kit

Halloween Dogs

Thanksgiving Bounty

Fresh Fall

More items to come! Shop now!

Paper Products From Minted.com

They are here! They're finally here! My journals, business cards and gift tag from Minted.com are finally here!

I ordered 3 journals (2 for me and 1 for my daughter), 1 business card (25 pieces per set) and gift tags (25 pieces per set). And I love them all!

I am very finicky with paper products because I like something that will last longer and the paper used in everything I ordered are simply remarkable. The print is outstanding and the packaging is super! You can really tell that Minted.com really put their special touch and care in every product they make and deliver.

 These 2 journals above are mine.

This is my daughter's journal.

My business card above and my family's personalized gift tag for all occasions. 

I received the packages in 2 parts. The first parcel was the 3 journals and the 2nd parcel was the cards and they were placed inside a special Minted.com box with nice patterns inside of the name of the designers. Just by looking at the box, you can actually tell that everything they make in Minted.com is handled with care. I just love how I received my stuff. I felt very special!

The elaborate packing and the package presentation are all done with care!

This is surely one thing I will highly recommend. They can be nice gifts too and aside from that, if I was already made special the moment I received the parcels, what more are the recipients of these lovely gifts? I'm sure they'll love Minted.com products too.

Stationery and Envelopes

Photo credit: minted.com

I'm going back to basics. I'm going back to the conventional way of doing things. That is a goal I have this year.

I want my communication to be open but I want to do it the old-fashioned way where I still have to get a pen and a paper and actually use the pen to write.  The advent of high-technology and a multitude ways to bridge the gap amongst people has really turned the world into one very convenient and yet, very lazy society.

People don't go out anymore to socialize. They don't send cards nor write. They just call, send text messages, send electronic cards or just post something on your social wall - electronically. Don't people like to receive their love notes written by someone they love? Don't they like to read cards with poems penned by their favorite friend or relative? Don't they want to wait for the personal mails that was sent from across the seas?

I miss the way my generation did things before. I actually had to ask my parents to get me new sets of pens, papers and even get my envelope printing done in a local printing store to have it personalized. And those were manual effort on our part.

The world has to slow down on being advanced. While it's not bad to advance in other fields like in Science or space exploration, it's still nice to keep the jobs of those mailman who delivers our mails and packages with gusto.

I say, stationery and envelopes are here to stay!

Simple Card Tutorial With Flat-Back Pearl Embellishment

Hi everyone! This is my very first tutorial. I am going to show you how to make a simple blank handmade card for any occasion using easy to find materials and one of my favorite embellishments to use in my projects - flat-back pearls.

What you need:

• Plain card stock for the card, I used 4 x 6 inches cardstock
• Patterned papers cut in various sizes (my favorite brand is Bo Bunny and K & Company but there are a lot more with fancy designs in the craft mart)
• Matting papers (any solid or block colored card stock or art paper will do) for background and framing
• Cut-out letters - H E L L O or any greetings or sentiments you want to use
• Scissors
• Glue for the flat-back pearls
• Fine tip tweezers to pick up the small flat-back pearls
• Double-sided tape or roller adhesive tape
• 3-d foam with double adhesive
• Ribbon, about 8 to 10 inches long and folded for double-ribbon effect
• Embellishments: butterfly chipboard and flat-back pearls (about 3mm diameter) in pink and cream. I got the flat back pearls from Qrhinestones of Etsy. (You should check Emily's Qrhinestones for more beads and fancy gems to use on your projects. She ships very promptly too!)
• Optional: Pigment inkpads for side-inking effect (I used a pigment-based ink to ink the edge of the yellow matting paper)

(This project can be done in less than 15 minutes as long as you have everything you need within your reach.)

And here's how you do it:

1. Gather your materials.
2. Apply adhesive at the back of the matting and patterned paper .
3. Layer the papers together, arranging them in gradual decrease in size. Do not stick the papers on the cardstock yet at this point as we will add ribbon later. I always tuck the edge of my ribbon beneath the matting papers for a clean finish. I also inked the side of the yellow paper for some drama and emphasis.
4. Cut out some small strips of 3-D foam with adhesives and adhere to the cut-out letters.
5. Fold the ribbon in half and make a bow. This method will create a double ribbon in one knot. Tuck the edges under the biggest matting paper. Now, apply double-adhesive tape on the biggest matting. Peel off the protective film of the adhesive.
6. Stick the matting papers which is now your card topper on the card stock.
7. Stick a butterfly embellishment at the edge and dot some glue to stick the cream flat-back pearls.
8. Now dot an undulating line on top of the letters and stick the pink flat-back pearls.
9. And now,  you have your simple card done!

Easy, right?

Why Buy Handmade Cards? Part 2

This is the continuation of my post on Why Buy Handmade Cards?  Part 1.


How long does it take you to finish one card?

It depends on the project. I can complete cards with easy layout in 15 minutes while the harder ones with plenty of details and intricate designs tend to be done between an hour or two. Yes, that long. Like I mentioned in Part 1, I don't rush with my card-making process. I want each card to be made with precision, clean and well-thought of.


Do you get attached to some of your work?

Yes. Sometimes, I even keep them for myself until my daughter sees them stashed in my treasure box. She would reprimand me and tell me to sell them because that was the reason why I made them in the first place - to sell them so that someone else will receive the kind of love I have put in that card. So, it's like a piece of my heart goes to every card I make.


Does your hands hurt after making the cards?

Yes, plenty of times and really painful. I used to have a die cut machine but I sold it last year because of my hiatus. It wasn't really used much so I still did my cutting by hand. I once commissioned a friend's Birthday thank you souvenir cards and I had to cut them manually - all 50 of them. I told myself, I would buy a die cutter. And I did but after that, my creative juice went dry. I'm just recovering now, in trickles.

Have you studied card-making?

No. I kind of knew I had it in me when I was young. I would always make stuff out of scratch, sew my dolls' clothes by hand and send greetings cards I made from art papers. It just developed as the years go by because I learned few tricks from my artsy blogger friends. I also watch tutorials and practice at home until I get it done the way I envisioned my project.


Are there other projects, aside from cards, that you are engaged in right now?

My daughter and I are learning how to make a plushie pattern. We can make 2-D plushies but it would be nice to have it in 3-D. And I plan to make a lot of felt plushies too which I can sell eventually. I just hope I can make all these soon so I can open up my small handmade business.


Are you going to post tutorials?

I would love to but each time I make a project, I always forget to take pictures of the materials and step by step process. I don't know much about videos as well. I'll work on that and let's see.


Are you going to open a shop in Etsy or other e-commerce site?

I don't think I'll go to Etsy for now mainly because I am not sure if I can break  the international scene that soon. I want to build my fan base and just let the word spread. That is my goal but I want to be realistic as well. I may open a fan page in FB or post my artwork in my blogs. I'm not sure yet but I'm working on it.  I also hope that before Christmas, all my cards are out!


So there you have it. The reasons why handmade cards are ultra special. They are already a gift in itself. Don't shy away from buying handmade cards because when you do, you are supporting micro business like ours to flourish. I am nothing compared to the giant commercial card makers out there but one thing I know why my handmade card will stand out is because I know my cards are all made with love.

Why Buy Handmade Cards? Part 1

I am a staunch supporter of anything "handmade." I believe in making things special and out of love. I have nothing against commercially made greeting cards but what I don't like about it is that, it is mass produced so that particular feeling of uniqueness and crafted out of passion and love is gone.

Before my hiatus from card making, I used to sell my creations during holidays like New Year, Valentine's Day and Christmas. I make customized cards too for friends who have specific preference and much as I wanted to cater to their budget, I just couldn't "underestimate" the value of my labour of love.

People ask me these questions over and over each time I approach them to check out my creations and buy few ones for their special someone. Trust me, selling my work was never easy even if I knew they should sell well. People just don't support the idea of handmade because of many reasons and lack of proper information about the craft.  Here are the common questions I encounter with my handmade card passion:


Why is it expensive?

Here's my question back, do you put a price tag on someone that you love? It's just like that.

• A single handmade card, before it is even crafted by the maker, is well thought of. I have a sketch pad of my ideas, the color scheme I would use, the patterned papers I would cut and in what shape and border, the ribbons I would add and even the kinds of embellishment I would put.

Few pages out of my sketch or doodle pad for layouts and ideas

• Aside from that, I don't make handmade cards when I don't feel like making one. I don't want it to look like it's rushed or forced to be done. It has to come from the heart so you can tell that each card that I made and will be making is made out of love. Hence, Handmade with Love is my card brand.

• I scout for materials and they are not cheap. I buy my stuff in the U.S. whenever I am on vacation and I don't spend less than a $100 dollars for my craft. I spend more than that just to be sure that each card I will make last long, the glue will hold the pieces together, the papers and ribbons won't fade and the papers are acid free for archival purpose.

• Right now, I am trying so hard to make embellishments on my own so my next batch of cards will be slightly cheaper than the first ones while maintaining the value of my craft.

• No two cards will ever be the same. I guarantee you that. Even if I try to copy my previous work, it will never come out exactly the same way as the original. So the recipient of my handmade cards are assured that they are the only ones who have that kind of design.

• Lastly, I buy commercial licence from designers too. Handmade card makers know these (well at least the ones in my circle do). We have to respect the copyright of these designers. If we use a stamp in our designs, we have to make sure we abide in the "angel policy" of that designer. Same goes with die cut shapes and sentiments used in cards. Everything has to be noted and well credited. We don't want to end up in an ugly law suit just because we used someone's design without permission.

You see, all that goes into a single card that we make. So, the next time you see a handmade card in your local craft store or bookshop or when I approach you to sell my craft, remember what you have read here. Don't say, "That's too expensive" because when you do, it's like insulting us and degrading the love we have for our craft.

A lot of love, time and effort has been put in that single card to make someone very special happy. And that is priceless!



Do you earn a lot in card-making?

Honestly, no. It is not even break even, well I am speaking based on my experience. There are well established handmade card makers in the US, UK, Australia and Canada who are really earning a lot. I'm not yet there, not even close. Like I said, I love to make cards. I have tons of ideas in my head which can't be translated into words. I have to let them out and card-making is my medium.

I am hoping that my future venture into this card-making business will be received warmly by people. I am in the process of building up my stocks, looking for great deals with shipping companies here and checking out tutorials so I can make my own embellishments. That will reduce the price of my cards without sacrificing the quality. And I do hope and pray that you will support me in my journey to become an entrepreneur someday.


More questions in Part 2. Please visit again.

A Comeback to Making Handmade Cards

My creative tank went dry for more than a year. The last project I did was a special gift to a friend who turned 50 last year. I made her a scrapbook page and placed it in a nice frame. After that, I noticed I couldn't think of anything creative to do for my cards and scrapbook projects. So I gave myself a break from making cards. Months followed and there is still not a drop of creative juice flowing in my brain.

I did everything I could to crank the think-tank only to end up cutting papers but never piecing them together. So I stared a a blank canvas for so long that I almost gave up.

Recently, I made a card for my god daughter for her Confirmation. I was struggling so hard to come up with a decent design. I even sketched my layout and had to practice on news papers just to save my patterned papers. And alas! I finally made one and I am really happy that even if I took a while to complete the card (1 week because I was pausing a lot when nothing was coming out of my creative brain).

Then weeks passed again. I didn't attempt to make any cards anyway until today. I was browsing through beautiful photos of vintage-inspired and shabby-chic styled handmade cards and told myself that I could make one too. Perhaps not as pretty as the ones I have seen but presentable enough to get me started. So, I gathered some pieces of left over materials to put together and I did it in half an hour's time only.

I think my creative juice is trickling back. I hope it continues as I just recently purchased a Silhouette Cameo and I am so excited about it. I haven't received the package yet and when I do. I am sure that it will become an integral part of my way back to creating handmade cards with LOVE.

MyMemories Suite Project - Bow Tie

Summer is officially here and kids will be off from school any time soon! So, parents, what do you have in store for your kids this long summer months? Summer camp? Travel out of town? Perhaps lessons to learn new skills? Have you considered engaging them in arts and craft to develop their creativity and love for arts? Well now, this post is for you!

MyMemories.com regularly offers paper projects for everyone out there to enjoy.  I have already posted many paper projects in the past courtesy of MyMemories.com and this week's project is fairly easy and great as gift toppers - Bow Tie.  And since Father's Day is just around the corner, this cute little bow tie will be a great gift topper and even a card topper for the best Dad in the world!

If you don't have the MyMemories Suite Digital Software, you can get the software from http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and use this 10% discount code for your purchase: STMMMS30652

The free template can be downloaded for your personal use only. Please do not redistribute or resell. You may get the template from my blog's side bar at the right with the heading Freebies. Enjoy!

The free templates are valid until 16th of June only so save them now.

MyMemories Suite Project - Spring Flowers

Check out these great freebies courtesy of MyMemories.com!
They make great Party Favors! Easy and fun to make!

Use these to decorate your lawn or string them together and hang them.
Perfect for spring birthday parties or anything else you can think of!

Available free until May 5th. You may download the free template from my blog. Please check the right side under the FREEBIE header. Please do not sell or re-distribute. This is for your personal use only. Thanks!

If you don't have MyMemories Suite Software yet, you may purchase it from http://www.mymemories.com/digital_scrapbooking_software and use my 10% discount code for your purchase: STMMMS30652

Have fun!

(Photo credit: MyMemories.com)

MyMemories Bookmark Project

Here's another easy project you can make with your MyMemories Suite Digital Scrapbooking software from MyMemories.com.

Enjoy the free designer packs I have here which you can download by clicking on my Freebies area on the side bar. Here are some samples of the bookmark project:

You can grab these freebies for a week and I will load a new one for you to enjoy the week after. Also, feel free to collect all your freebie download but never use it for commercial reason and only for personal reason. And please link back to where you got the freebie if you will post or share your finished project.

Use your freebies to create different paper craft projects from bookmarks to small note pads to gift tags and more. If you still don't have the software, head on to MyMemories.com and grab your discounted copy now. Here is my discount code for a 10% off (STMMMS30652) which you can freely use for your purchase and enjoy your digital scrapbook software now.

Don't forget to use my discount code. Have fun!

Art Attack - Choco Loco Birthday Card

I opened another site focusing on my handmade cards, unfortunately, I have no time to maintain two accounts. So, I will be featuring my creations here every now and then.

This is my Choco Loco Birthday Card. It's a big birthday card for the chocolate lovers. I made this for my big boss since he is a chocolate fanatic.

I used patterned papers from free digi-scrap sites and printed them. I also used aluminum foil to simulate the foil wrapper. I wrote the "Choco Loco" wordings in front of the card.
The size is 5 1/2 inches (height) x 3 inches (width when tri-fold).

The inside of the card is blank so my other colleagues can write on it too. I used 3 varying colors of plain colored paper to highlight the tri-fold.


Lastly, I used a "bite-mark" effect on the edge to make it look more realistic and yummilicious!