We're having crafter's block. It's like writer's block except that this is in the context of our making birthday cards for the Chief's upcoming birthday celebrations.
Sidenote: attempts to plan the Chief's birthday party early has been met by uncertain RSVPs (ie "wah so early ask, I'm not sure free yet or not") so in the end it all ended up going back to the usual last minute emails, postponing and swapping of dates with different groups.
And now, we haven't a clue what to design for the Chief's birthday card. Well actually just as we started typing this we thought of something, but it's gonna need some thinking out how to get it done as we done have the proper resources to do it...
We've been doing this every year now but we're wondering if we can keep the card themes fresh without resembling something already done (except for certain recurring things like space for the group photo and an area for everyone to sign the card).
Actually, it's possible, just that we need to dump in more money getting more embellishments, and perhaps diversify into stamping or embossing, and more time to learn how to properly do so.
For now, we've got to finish this card tonight!
Showing posts with label Cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cards. Show all posts
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Papercraft - Chief's Birthday Cards 2009
Now with all our preparations, rehearsals and such going on, we didn't have much time left to make the Chief's birthday cards for the Basil party! Come the night before the party we finally got our stuff out and got cracking. It was admittedly slightly difficult as it's been quite a while since we've done our scrapbooking.
Last year we found out that we didn't leave much space for everyone to sign on the card. So this time we decided that we should prepare two cards for the party with the bloggers, especially since there were quite a number of people!
So we got everything set up downstairs on the coffee table. It was a bit of a small space indeed, and there was the fear of getting glue on the table or nicking it with the blade or scissors, but we had indeed initially wanted to watch Poirot while crafting the card.
As we have not managed to choose the cards, we didn't get extra cards or coloured paper to use as backing for the letter stickers or for people to sign on. Thankfully a bit of rummaging about our shelves and we manage to find alternatives.
The thing we find about scrapbooking is that there's never much waste! Even as we cut up a piece of paper, we never did throw small bits away as it could be reused later for some other projects. In this case we've brought back leftovers from what we used to make sis' present.
Then we decided to test our hand at calligraphy writing. After all we'd already gotten some easy calligraphy marker pens from Zig during our Sporeland trip early this year. Tried different styles and in different shades on a rough paper, and then it hit us...
...We could design our own fancy paper! One of the pens was in a shade of blue that blended quite well with the blue page divider, and it would serve very well as a space for people to sign the card.
With the calligraphy's purpose decided on, we went back to using whatever we had for the rest of the card. Starting with the main 'Happy Birthday' wellwishing, we found some stickers we've yet to use.
With the basics all prepared, we just had to finalize the layout, and then glue everything on. We've gotten some all-purpose craft glue, which was rather good as and smudges or smears could be rubbed off without staining or leaving a mark. Only, we thought not to follow their instructions of 'apply over entire surface' when it came to paper, or we'd have finished the entire bottle (not cheap!) making a couple of cards!
With the background layout all set, all that was needed was to stick on letter stickers of the Chief's name on the blue bar after the 'Happy Birthday', a portrait photo of the Chief on the left box, and for everyone to sign the card.
Now scrapbooking isn't a cheap hobby. Seriously that's one reason why we save every little bit of paper we use from previous projects (asides from the variety it provides). So, when we find stuff on offer we pick them up, but we think we'll have to rethink bargain stickers like this. Luckily the card would be in a plastic sleeve most of the time, so the letters shouldn't drop off.
For the second card, we decided on a simpler layout, with a bigger area for people to sign on and a space for a landscape group photo.
Like we said. Nothing's wasted. Even the tab on the page divider could be made into a title bar.
And the calligraphy paper, into a photo outlining frame.
And finally, both cards in a plastic sleeve, to be left at Basil earlier in the day for the guests to sign while we led the Chief around Bangsar Village till everyone arrives. We'd put in a pen for everyone to use (which as since gone missing), and will need to develop photos taken during the party to add to the card to finally complete it!
Then of course on Sunday itself we had to rush to get another birthday card done. In fact lad was confident that we would be making one, haha.
So we'd bought a cardstock from Papier that had some thematic tie to the animal theme...
...and also after much hunting about the shop, some stickers of animal safety pins...
...and decided to use the black ink calligraphy pen to make the header instead of stickers...
...using another batch of letter stickers that had better adhesiveness (and the colour blended better with the card too) for a much more fun layout...
...stick a bit of mosaic pattern paper, and we were done!
Soon enough we'll need to get the Chief a scrapbook album to store all the cards we've already made...
Last year we found out that we didn't leave much space for everyone to sign on the card. So this time we decided that we should prepare two cards for the party with the bloggers, especially since there were quite a number of people!
So we got everything set up downstairs on the coffee table. It was a bit of a small space indeed, and there was the fear of getting glue on the table or nicking it with the blade or scissors, but we had indeed initially wanted to watch Poirot while crafting the card.
As we have not managed to choose the cards, we didn't get extra cards or coloured paper to use as backing for the letter stickers or for people to sign on. Thankfully a bit of rummaging about our shelves and we manage to find alternatives.
The thing we find about scrapbooking is that there's never much waste! Even as we cut up a piece of paper, we never did throw small bits away as it could be reused later for some other projects. In this case we've brought back leftovers from what we used to make sis' present.
Then we decided to test our hand at calligraphy writing. After all we'd already gotten some easy calligraphy marker pens from Zig during our Sporeland trip early this year. Tried different styles and in different shades on a rough paper, and then it hit us...
...We could design our own fancy paper! One of the pens was in a shade of blue that blended quite well with the blue page divider, and it would serve very well as a space for people to sign the card.
With the calligraphy's purpose decided on, we went back to using whatever we had for the rest of the card. Starting with the main 'Happy Birthday' wellwishing, we found some stickers we've yet to use.
With the basics all prepared, we just had to finalize the layout, and then glue everything on. We've gotten some all-purpose craft glue, which was rather good as and smudges or smears could be rubbed off without staining or leaving a mark. Only, we thought not to follow their instructions of 'apply over entire surface' when it came to paper, or we'd have finished the entire bottle (not cheap!) making a couple of cards!
With the background layout all set, all that was needed was to stick on letter stickers of the Chief's name on the blue bar after the 'Happy Birthday', a portrait photo of the Chief on the left box, and for everyone to sign the card.
Now scrapbooking isn't a cheap hobby. Seriously that's one reason why we save every little bit of paper we use from previous projects (asides from the variety it provides). So, when we find stuff on offer we pick them up, but we think we'll have to rethink bargain stickers like this. Luckily the card would be in a plastic sleeve most of the time, so the letters shouldn't drop off.For the second card, we decided on a simpler layout, with a bigger area for people to sign on and a space for a landscape group photo.
Like we said. Nothing's wasted. Even the tab on the page divider could be made into a title bar.
And the calligraphy paper, into a photo outlining frame.
And finally, both cards in a plastic sleeve, to be left at Basil earlier in the day for the guests to sign while we led the Chief around Bangsar Village till everyone arrives. We'd put in a pen for everyone to use (which as since gone missing), and will need to develop photos taken during the party to add to the card to finally complete it!Then of course on Sunday itself we had to rush to get another birthday card done. In fact lad was confident that we would be making one, haha.
So we'd bought a cardstock from Papier that had some thematic tie to the animal theme...
...and also after much hunting about the shop, some stickers of animal safety pins...
...and decided to use the black ink calligraphy pen to make the header instead of stickers...
...using another batch of letter stickers that had better adhesiveness (and the colour blended better with the card too) for a much more fun layout...
...stick a bit of mosaic pattern paper, and we were done!Soon enough we'll need to get the Chief a scrapbook album to store all the cards we've already made...
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Ring Fever II
The Hobbits sets forth out of the Shire, with Frodo carrying the One Ring, for they were to head to Bree and await Gandalf there to lead them on. Meanwhilst, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir set out for summons at Rivendell. 'Tis proved to be a journey that was fraught with many perils, as Saruman and Sauron have already sent out their forces in search of the Ring.
Boromir finds the Hobbits in Bree and agrees to lead them to Rivendell, but in an ambush by Uruk-hais Boromir fell foul whilst defending the Hobbits. Elsewhere Gimli skirmishes a Ringwraith and is pierced by a Nazgul Blade. Haldir joins Legolas and Gimli as they leave Rivendell to search for the Hobbits, but the company were met by orcs as they left the sanctuary of Imladris. The Nazgul wound proves fatal for Gimli, and Haldir too was lost in the battle against orcs.
The Hobbits, lost on their own, were doomed as Uruk-hais relentlessly hound their footsteps. All hope was lost. Sam and Pippin did not live to see the Great Anduin river, and Merry was taken when he held up a sword in defiance. The Shadow descended at last upon Frodo...
Welcome to Ring Fever Week! Dang, it sounds a bit MaRo saying that. But yes, this week is all about The Lord Of The Rings - you have been warned.
So last weekend we were given an alternate storyline to the Lord Of The Rings. No, not the secret diaries. But as mentioned above. This is what happened in our playtesting of the Lord Of The Rings Trading Card Game.
See, Ring Fever didn't just stop with the books.
We happened to wander into Outpost Cineleisure and lo and behold, right on their counter there was a box of various LotR expansion boosters, and a Two Towers 2-player Starter set that caught our eye. What made that package interesting was that the set came with two starters, a CD with a playable demo, playmat, and all that for RM30.
We put it down to Outpost getting rid of old stocks as the game has stopped print already. Otherwise just a normal starter would cost RM30 and this kind of starter set would be around RM50 or so. So now we've got a better idea how the game works (since the only time we ever played it was just once with 'Nic yonks ago, and he trashed our Elf deck soundly), and a PC version to play (altho' it only feature the Theoden and Gandalf decks).
It tickles us when playing the game when Fellowship members are killed, tho'.
And it's a shame that we never did manage to get our hands on some sets of Middle Earth too, the previous LotR collectible card game.
Boromir finds the Hobbits in Bree and agrees to lead them to Rivendell, but in an ambush by Uruk-hais Boromir fell foul whilst defending the Hobbits. Elsewhere Gimli skirmishes a Ringwraith and is pierced by a Nazgul Blade. Haldir joins Legolas and Gimli as they leave Rivendell to search for the Hobbits, but the company were met by orcs as they left the sanctuary of Imladris. The Nazgul wound proves fatal for Gimli, and Haldir too was lost in the battle against orcs.
The Hobbits, lost on their own, were doomed as Uruk-hais relentlessly hound their footsteps. All hope was lost. Sam and Pippin did not live to see the Great Anduin river, and Merry was taken when he held up a sword in defiance. The Shadow descended at last upon Frodo...
Welcome to Ring Fever Week! Dang, it sounds a bit MaRo saying that. But yes, this week is all about The Lord Of The Rings - you have been warned.
So last weekend we were given an alternate storyline to the Lord Of The Rings. No, not the secret diaries. But as mentioned above. This is what happened in our playtesting of the Lord Of The Rings Trading Card Game.
See, Ring Fever didn't just stop with the books.We happened to wander into Outpost Cineleisure and lo and behold, right on their counter there was a box of various LotR expansion boosters, and a Two Towers 2-player Starter set that caught our eye. What made that package interesting was that the set came with two starters, a CD with a playable demo, playmat, and all that for RM30.
We put it down to Outpost getting rid of old stocks as the game has stopped print already. Otherwise just a normal starter would cost RM30 and this kind of starter set would be around RM50 or so. So now we've got a better idea how the game works (since the only time we ever played it was just once with 'Nic yonks ago, and he trashed our Elf deck soundly), and a PC version to play (altho' it only feature the Theoden and Gandalf decks).
It tickles us when playing the game when Fellowship members are killed, tho'.And it's a shame that we never did manage to get our hands on some sets of Middle Earth too, the previous LotR collectible card game.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Project 2008
Now this year we must admit that we were a tad tight on the wallet so we decided that it was time to put our ambigram sketchings to good use for Christmas - by making personalized frames for our mates. Unfortunately, we didn't have the resources with us to make very nice frames and the likes, but thankfully we already had in mind what we wanted to do.
Then of course midway through our project lad and us were chatting and the following took place:
lad: btw i dunwant any present above RM10 from you
* i mean Xmas
Janvier: s'not like you getting Mont Blanc name card from us
lad: i remember books before.. no need so ex pls
i'm too lazy to reciprocate
Janvier: omg read that as no sex please
XS
lad: hhahaah
Janvier: haha you don't have to worry this year
calculated not ex
lad: haha
Janvier: in fact, barely RM5 per person :D
lad: yay.
Well when it comes to gift-giving there's no need for reciprocation really, and it's not as if we're giving away PS3s or something blatantly expensive that'll make a dent in our wallet. But well this time around we were thinking of carrying out this project so we would say that it was timely.
So. Christmas Project!
Bought a couple of iKea CLIPS photo frames.
Print out ambigrams, then photocopy ambigrams onto transparency (because we don't have a laser printer).
Print out photographs. It took some finding our picture archives for them. Here's lad in his Christmas garb when we were in Genting in 2005. Trim photo and cardboard frame to size to match CLIPS frame.
Now the interesting bit, where we make a frame for the photos. Well we could have just left the photo by itself, but the purpose of the frame was to make the ambigram visible and focus on just the subject of the photo. So here we line up the photo and the cardboard and mark lines to cut out.
And how it looks like once it's all fixed up.
Now for this year's wrapping. Last year was silver, with tags made out a brown letter all cut up. This year we went back to green, still using iKea wrapping paper (one roll fits all).
Interestingly we chose to go green after we bought candy canes. Initially, we'd thought since we'd gotten green candy canes we needed to go for red wrappers for the contrast, but we couldn't put down that wrapper and it fit the job perfectly.
Well we're having the Secret Santa gift exchange this year too, and assuredly our recipient is not getting the same kind of gift as detailed above. In above case, with one exception the rest of them had ambigrams along with their photo frames.
Before we finish, something that we've done for a couple of years now...
And so (this is a tad late but still) Blessed Christmas everyone!
Then of course midway through our project lad and us were chatting and the following took place:
lad: btw i dunwant any present above RM10 from you
* i mean Xmas
Janvier: s'not like you getting Mont Blanc name card from us
lad: i remember books before.. no need so ex pls
i'm too lazy to reciprocate
Janvier: omg read that as no sex please
XS
lad: hhahaah
Janvier: haha you don't have to worry this year
calculated not ex
lad: haha
Janvier: in fact, barely RM5 per person :D
lad: yay.
Well when it comes to gift-giving there's no need for reciprocation really, and it's not as if we're giving away PS3s or something blatantly expensive that'll make a dent in our wallet. But well this time around we were thinking of carrying out this project so we would say that it was timely.
So. Christmas Project!
Bought a couple of iKea CLIPS photo frames.Print out ambigrams, then photocopy ambigrams onto transparency (because we don't have a laser printer).Print out photographs. It took some finding our picture archives for them. Here's lad in his Christmas garb when we were in Genting in 2005. Trim photo and cardboard frame to size to match CLIPS frame.Now the interesting bit, where we make a frame for the photos. Well we could have just left the photo by itself, but the purpose of the frame was to make the ambigram visible and focus on just the subject of the photo. So here we line up the photo and the cardboard and mark lines to cut out.And how it looks like once it's all fixed up.Now for this year's wrapping. Last year was silver, with tags made out a brown letter all cut up. This year we went back to green, still using iKea wrapping paper (one roll fits all).Interestingly we chose to go green after we bought candy canes. Initially, we'd thought since we'd gotten green candy canes we needed to go for red wrappers for the contrast, but we couldn't put down that wrapper and it fit the job perfectly.Well we're having the Secret Santa gift exchange this year too, and assuredly our recipient is not getting the same kind of gift as detailed above. In above case, with one exception the rest of them had ambigrams along with their photo frames.
Before we finish, something that we've done for a couple of years now...
And so (this is a tad late but still) Blessed Christmas everyone!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
PaperCraft - Chief's Birthday Cards
Now we'd spent the week in Sporeland making the Chief's birthday cards (which was why we could leave our NDS in the Chief's care), and while we had the idea in mind to make such cards weeks before, it took some time for us to prepare the materials.
First, a trip to Papier to pick up some basic things. Picked up some cardstock, a bit of decorative cards, alphabet stickers, album pockets to keep the cards in. Then back home to scavange for our craft scissors, ribbons and a mini photo for size reference. After seeing what we lack, it was to that paper shop at The Gardens to pick up glue, a wooden letter (darn them to have no stock of letters for a full first name), and felt paper.
Then we'd picked up some craft magazines from them cheap magazine shops in Amcorp (RM9.90 per mag, old editions of course) to get some ideas for layout and designs. The Chief probably thought that we were going through some creative phase akin to our ambigram phase.
Then it was choosing photos to print out. We'd basically chose nine assorted photos, group pics of Team Layton, of our Camland Trip, of our Bangkok trip, and a few of the Chief. Arranged it so that it's all wallet-size to fit onto an A4-size paper (oh you know, just select 9 photos, right-click and select 'Print', you'll get what we mean). Had it printed at a photo shop then cut out.
Then we'd run about to lad, Esteban, Puddy, otousan and Germ getting them to write their wellwishes on small pieces of cards.
With the bare basics, we packed it all in our luggage so that we could work on it in Sporeland. Only, once we'd unpacked at the hotel and looked through our inventory, we realized we forgot to bring a few essentials. Blade. Ruler. Normal scissors. Glue stick (we'd only brought glue paste). Scotch tape.
So we asked at the hotel front desk for scissors, ruler and scotch tape. Somehow we'd thought room service would send some up later, but instead we had the fellow attending to us rummage about the drawers of the front desk looking for the requested stationery, also with a reminder that we had to return it back to the front desk and not leave it for room service to take it back. Very pa pai folks. Good thing when we checked out we did bring down their things too, because they had a note stuck to our account requesting them back. Yeesh.
Oh, we also bought photo corners from Borders at Wheelock. Very useful things. We'll need to check Borders The Curve one day to see if it's available here.
Given that we've set up a worktable in our hotel room, it was time to start working on the cards. Truth be told, we'd no idea about the layout. So we took them cards that already have wellwishes on them, and worked our layout based on the cards' shapes. Struggled slightly with space, but somehow we managed.
Pasting card to the cardstock wasn't easy with glue paste. We had to spread glue along the edge using our finger.
With one card down, we then started on the second card. We wanted to make use of the piece of felt that we bought, and somehow decided to make a sort of plant motif. A slight mistake on this was making the photo frames leaf-shaped, as we then had very little space for wellwishing. Still, the basic layout was done.
Only, it felt as if it lacked something - namely decorative text, those letters that you stick on to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and the likes. That's where we were lucky to stumble onto this shop in Wheelock Place.
What caught our interest was that they had a rummage basket where alphabet stickers that were damaged were sold cheap. We picked up two large alphabet stickers of different fonts for SGD8, with only a few letters probably not as sticky as they used to be. Still perfect for our needs.
And the results...aren't gonna be posted up here, unfortunately. Anonymity required.
With the cards done, it was time to bring them back and have them sent out to be signed by everyone before the party.
And so that's the first two cards. We plan to make more of whatever occasions for the Chief in the future. Hmmm. This also mean that we know what to get next as a present - a craft album!
First, a trip to Papier to pick up some basic things. Picked up some cardstock, a bit of decorative cards, alphabet stickers, album pockets to keep the cards in. Then back home to scavange for our craft scissors, ribbons and a mini photo for size reference. After seeing what we lack, it was to that paper shop at The Gardens to pick up glue, a wooden letter (darn them to have no stock of letters for a full first name), and felt paper.
Then we'd picked up some craft magazines from them cheap magazine shops in Amcorp (RM9.90 per mag, old editions of course) to get some ideas for layout and designs. The Chief probably thought that we were going through some creative phase akin to our ambigram phase.Then it was choosing photos to print out. We'd basically chose nine assorted photos, group pics of Team Layton, of our Camland Trip, of our Bangkok trip, and a few of the Chief. Arranged it so that it's all wallet-size to fit onto an A4-size paper (oh you know, just select 9 photos, right-click and select 'Print', you'll get what we mean). Had it printed at a photo shop then cut out.
Then we'd run about to lad, Esteban, Puddy, otousan and Germ getting them to write their wellwishes on small pieces of cards.With the bare basics, we packed it all in our luggage so that we could work on it in Sporeland. Only, once we'd unpacked at the hotel and looked through our inventory, we realized we forgot to bring a few essentials. Blade. Ruler. Normal scissors. Glue stick (we'd only brought glue paste). Scotch tape.
So we asked at the hotel front desk for scissors, ruler and scotch tape. Somehow we'd thought room service would send some up later, but instead we had the fellow attending to us rummage about the drawers of the front desk looking for the requested stationery, also with a reminder that we had to return it back to the front desk and not leave it for room service to take it back. Very pa pai folks. Good thing when we checked out we did bring down their things too, because they had a note stuck to our account requesting them back. Yeesh.Oh, we also bought photo corners from Borders at Wheelock. Very useful things. We'll need to check Borders The Curve one day to see if it's available here.
Given that we've set up a worktable in our hotel room, it was time to start working on the cards. Truth be told, we'd no idea about the layout. So we took them cards that already have wellwishes on them, and worked our layout based on the cards' shapes. Struggled slightly with space, but somehow we managed.
Pasting card to the cardstock wasn't easy with glue paste. We had to spread glue along the edge using our finger.With one card down, we then started on the second card. We wanted to make use of the piece of felt that we bought, and somehow decided to make a sort of plant motif. A slight mistake on this was making the photo frames leaf-shaped, as we then had very little space for wellwishing. Still, the basic layout was done.Only, it felt as if it lacked something - namely decorative text, those letters that you stick on to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY and the likes. That's where we were lucky to stumble onto this shop in Wheelock Place.What caught our interest was that they had a rummage basket where alphabet stickers that were damaged were sold cheap. We picked up two large alphabet stickers of different fonts for SGD8, with only a few letters probably not as sticky as they used to be. Still perfect for our needs.And the results...aren't gonna be posted up here, unfortunately. Anonymity required.
With the cards done, it was time to bring them back and have them sent out to be signed by everyone before the party.
And so that's the first two cards. We plan to make more of whatever occasions for the Chief in the future. Hmmm. This also mean that we know what to get next as a present - a craft album!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Ustjay Ecausebay Eway Osay Eefray
First, we summon this:
Ethay Atinlay Igpay.
Ownay incesay oininjay ethay gymay eway avehay eenbay omingcay omehay atelay anday eatingay innerday aboutay arounday entay. Osay ivengay atthay esethay astlay otway aysday eway avehay otnay eenbay oinggay otay ethay gymay, eway indfay atthay eway avehay ay itbay ofay eefray imetay onay ouray andshay.
Utbay insteaday ofay usingay atthay imetay otay oday omethingsay usefulay, ikelay ompletecay ambigramay ojectspray, oray inishfay ouray ooksbay, oray atchcay upay onay ouray eepslay, eway avehay eenbay ayingplay Eldazay's inimay-archeryay-amegay onstopnay.
Itay isay ay implesay amegay atthay eway ancay endspay eightay undredhay Upeesray, atay entytway Upeesray ay amegay, anday akemay ackbay enfoldtay oray oremay atthay amountay inay easurestray oray ipshay artspay.
Basugasubakuhatsubasugasubakuhatsubasugasubakuhatsu*
Bluegluegungreengluegunbluegluegungreengluegun
SACRIFICE ATINLAY IGPAY!
Right. Just because we so free.
*Taken from the anime Azumanga Daioh, where it's a tonguetwister translated as 'bus gas explosion'.
Ethay Atinlay Igpay.Ownay incesay oininjay ethay gymay eway avehay eenbay omingcay omehay atelay anday eatingay innerday aboutay arounday entay. Osay ivengay atthay esethay astlay otway aysday eway avehay otnay eenbay oinggay otay ethay gymay, eway indfay atthay eway avehay ay itbay ofay eefray imetay onay ouray andshay.
Utbay insteaday ofay usingay atthay imetay otay oday omethingsay usefulay, ikelay ompletecay ambigramay ojectspray, oray inishfay ouray ooksbay, oray atchcay upay onay ouray eepslay, eway avehay eenbay ayingplay Eldazay's inimay-archeryay-amegay onstopnay.
Itay isay ay implesay amegay atthay eway ancay endspay eightay undredhay Upeesray, atay entytway Upeesray ay amegay, anday akemay ackbay enfoldtay oray oremay atthay amountay inay easurestray oray ipshay artspay.
Basugasubakuhatsubasugasubakuhatsubasugasubakuhatsu*
Bluegluegungreengluegunbluegluegungreengluegun
SACRIFICE ATINLAY IGPAY!Right. Just because we so free.
*Taken from the anime Azumanga Daioh, where it's a tonguetwister translated as 'bus gas explosion'.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Seeing The Future
Now while we haven't been playing Magic since the Ravnica expansion (then we've got tired of downloading updates...now we shudder to think how long we've to wait just to update Magic Online, prolly best wait till ver 3 is fully functional), but we still enjoy perusing magicthegathering.com for bits and pieces, namely Mark Rosewater's articles and the Arcana.
The fun we find with the current block asides from the gameplay (which we have not experience nor shall, because we can't bear to pour money that way) is from the many card frames that Wizards have designed. While the Planar Chaos timeshifts retain the same look as current 8th Edition frames, the Future Sight ones are just plain funky.
Rather modern look, but not as if it's from Space: The Convergence, in fact, much better-looking than Space.
We're hoping that the frames for each colour will differ drastically (think Decipher's LotR frames for each culture) but that's gonna be wistful thinking.
The fun we find with the current block asides from the gameplay (which we have not experience nor shall, because we can't bear to pour money that way) is from the many card frames that Wizards have designed. While the Planar Chaos timeshifts retain the same look as current 8th Edition frames, the Future Sight ones are just plain funky.
Rather modern look, but not as if it's from Space: The Convergence, in fact, much better-looking than Space. Compare. (The actual cards don't have the MtG on it...we just 'shopped it in to show it's from them.)
We're hoping that the frames for each colour will differ drastically (think Decipher's LotR frames for each culture) but that's gonna be wistful thinking.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Excitement Of Magic
They've done a whopper for the likes of us who enjoy the flavour of Magic: The Gathering. Maybe it's because Wii're also a MaRo fan, but the New Year's preview card completely bowled us over with jaws to the floor, and MaRo's preview today did it again. Of course, this only affects those who're familiar with M:tG to some level, 'cos it's old cards they're referring to.
First up, the New Year's preview, Damnation.
At first sight the jaw drops as the brain links it to Wrath Of God, Kev Walker artwork edition (who also did Damnation):
Damnation did a lot to excite us, not only from the artwork and mechanics but also from the card texture and text colour. Noticable because black's card texture, from the bubbly swampy look to the sudden cracked drought-ground look...
Today it's Groundbreaker:
Needed a bit of looking into abilities before Ball Lightning came to mind:
Wii are certainly waiting for more. It's a bit of a wonder, how this game still doesn't allow us to let go and move on to WoW.
First up, the New Year's preview, Damnation.
At first sight the jaw drops as the brain links it to Wrath Of God, Kev Walker artwork edition (who also did Damnation): Damnation did a lot to excite us, not only from the artwork and mechanics but also from the card texture and text colour. Noticable because black's card texture, from the bubbly swampy look to the sudden cracked drought-ground look...Today it's Groundbreaker:
Needed a bit of looking into abilities before Ball Lightning came to mind: Wii are certainly waiting for more. It's a bit of a wonder, how this game still doesn't allow us to let go and move on to WoW.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Retail Therapy For Impulsive Disorder?
Right. We actually meant to talk about this and not really do a review for WoW:TCG.Now what led to that? Well, we received a call during lunch yesterday to inform that our dear camera has finally been repaired and ready to be taken home. So we popped down to 1U after work.
Once again, one more turn...
And popped into a PC store to see if Hammers of Fate was out. It was. Bang! It's mine.
Then popped into Anime Tech for a look-see if Death Note was available. It wasn't, but they have Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children 2-CD Original Soundtrack. Bang! Mine.
Those, plus the Jamiroquai High Times and Robbie Williams Rudebox and That's Life, unplanned purchases all of them...
It's a good thing the Nintendo Wii is not cheap at RM2090.
And we haven't even started our Christmas shopping yet.
Help.
Like, wow...
Of late we've been heading back to trading card games (TCGs) whatwith the arrival of World of Warcraft (WoW): TCG from Upper Deck Entertainment. We weren't really that interested in the game so much as to rush out and buy a starter to try the mechanic like we did for Lord Of The Rings TCG by Decipher (of course, LotR:TCG was released after The Fellowship movie was screened, and we were still enthralled by the Nazgul at that point) when we upped and bought the Deluxe Starter set.
When a friend bought some starters and boosters for WoW we then had a chance to explore the mechanics and game. First card we'd glanced upon was a Rebecca Guay! Whoa. That made a good impression. The game idea was pretty simple: pick a hero, build a deck based on the hero class by throwing in allies and equipment and quests, whack enemy heroes. Somehow, that's when the nitpicking started...
The game is expensive to invest in. Other TCGs cost on average RM35 per starter and RM11. WoW costs RM57 per starter and RM15 per booster. Plus the fact that the starter contains only 30 cards plus 2 boosters.
The card pool me friend had was limited for deck construction. There were 9 classes of heroes to choose from! So our Undead Priest had only one equipment in the whole pool of cards he could use, but it went against our deck strategy of emptying the opponent's hand. But then again Priests probably don't go around bashing people with their staves all that often, nor would Priests actually be able to do a Barbarian War Cry we guess...
Allies make up the brunt of the army, and thankfully they aren't as limited. Like 'Mechs in Battletech:TCG, they're just aligned with one side and many can fit into your deck. Now if only we had more that helped our Undead Priest but so far the allies we've got somewhat complemented the deck.
Combat is done by targetting individual allies or heroes to whack. Hmmm. Somehow this bit seems problematic, because weak allies probably won't survive to see the light of day (of the next turn) if they're just marked for death each time they show their face. At least in Battletech 'Mech's can only target slower 'Mechs and in Star Wars (by WotC) speed determines initiative irregardless of player turn.
Quests are twofold: they work as resources and card fetchers. But as resources they're not really that necessary, as any card can be played face-down as a resource in the first place. This throws up the question, "Is it still necessary to build a deck of 33% resource?" and we thinks, "Not really. We'll just pick a few quests that fetches allies."
Given the card pool limitations, we had an Undead Priest (Omedus the Punisher) deck that does a one-off direct damage of (7 minus cards in target opponent's hand), very very few cards to cause an opponent to discard, plenty of allies and 9 quests. The deck is pretty much anything goes.
Early playtesting finds that numerous allies, with added fact of the ability to target nearly ally/hero during combat pushes advantage to whoever has stronger and/or more allies in play. Tension is fairly balanced with the choice of playing a card as a resource or holding it back for later. We have yet to do a multiplayer game, and am looking forward to introducing the 'It' multiplayer variant (ahhh Battletech days...).
Damn, it turned out to be a WoW:TCG report. And while we were playing WoW, our minds kept thinking back to Battletech.
Nevermind, onwards with the preview card, next post.
When a friend bought some starters and boosters for WoW we then had a chance to explore the mechanics and game. First card we'd glanced upon was a Rebecca Guay! Whoa. That made a good impression. The game idea was pretty simple: pick a hero, build a deck based on the hero class by throwing in allies and equipment and quests, whack enemy heroes. Somehow, that's when the nitpicking started...
The game is expensive to invest in. Other TCGs cost on average RM35 per starter and RM11. WoW costs RM57 per starter and RM15 per booster. Plus the fact that the starter contains only 30 cards plus 2 boosters.The card pool me friend had was limited for deck construction. There were 9 classes of heroes to choose from! So our Undead Priest had only one equipment in the whole pool of cards he could use, but it went against our deck strategy of emptying the opponent's hand. But then again Priests probably don't go around bashing people with their staves all that often, nor would Priests actually be able to do a Barbarian War Cry we guess...
Allies make up the brunt of the army, and thankfully they aren't as limited. Like 'Mechs in Battletech:TCG, they're just aligned with one side and many can fit into your deck. Now if only we had more that helped our Undead Priest but so far the allies we've got somewhat complemented the deck.
Combat is done by targetting individual allies or heroes to whack. Hmmm. Somehow this bit seems problematic, because weak allies probably won't survive to see the light of day (of the next turn) if they're just marked for death each time they show their face. At least in Battletech 'Mech's can only target slower 'Mechs and in Star Wars (by WotC) speed determines initiative irregardless of player turn.
Quests are twofold: they work as resources and card fetchers. But as resources they're not really that necessary, as any card can be played face-down as a resource in the first place. This throws up the question, "Is it still necessary to build a deck of 33% resource?" and we thinks, "Not really. We'll just pick a few quests that fetches allies."
Given the card pool limitations, we had an Undead Priest (Omedus the Punisher) deck that does a one-off direct damage of (7 minus cards in target opponent's hand), very very few cards to cause an opponent to discard, plenty of allies and 9 quests. The deck is pretty much anything goes.
Early playtesting finds that numerous allies, with added fact of the ability to target nearly ally/hero during combat pushes advantage to whoever has stronger and/or more allies in play. Tension is fairly balanced with the choice of playing a card as a resource or holding it back for later. We have yet to do a multiplayer game, and am looking forward to introducing the 'It' multiplayer variant (ahhh Battletech days...).
Damn, it turned out to be a WoW:TCG report. And while we were playing WoW, our minds kept thinking back to Battletech.
Nevermind, onwards with the preview card, next post.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Goodbye
We've been staying in Malaysia for all our life now, and must say that we've enjoyed every bit of it. After all, school wasn't a nightmare, college was (somewhat) fun, university was our first taste of freedom. Now that we're working, can't really enjoy la, but still life has been good.]
We've made good friends here. Not like we're gonna forget them. But the bastard that is me will probably be very slack at keeping in touch frequently.
There's really good food everywhere in Malaysia! Klang's bahkutteh, Ipoh's hor fun, Penang's char kuey teow, maggi/indo-mee goreng, the list can go on and on...Not to mention that mamaks all open till the wee hours of the morning and there are 24-hour fastfood outlets nearby.
Thing is, we're gonna be moving soon. To our dream island.
We've made good friends here. Not like we're gonna forget them. But the bastard that is me will probably be very slack at keeping in touch frequently.
There's really good food everywhere in Malaysia! Klang's bahkutteh, Ipoh's hor fun, Penang's char kuey teow, maggi/indo-mee goreng, the list can go on and on...Not to mention that mamaks all open till the wee hours of the morning and there are 24-hour fastfood outlets nearby.
Thing is, we're gonna be moving soon. To our dream island.
We've joined up the pioneering team of other individuals who shall settle in Catan. Damn. That mean's we gotta give up all our luxuries and work like buggers raising sheep for wool, harvest grain, chop trees, baking clay and mining ore!
All just to be the Lord of Catan one day.
We've decided to get the Travel Box first as it's very portable (and cheaper). Of course, we've to put up with everything being in German. But that's ok. Downloaded da English almanac in preparation. Development cards a wee bit small and also in German? No problem, make our own:
When we're Lord of Catan we'll build guest houses near good beachfront property. Do come visit!
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