Every year for Christmas, I make gifts for my closest group of friends. Unfortunately, the finished product in my head always outweighs the actual thing, which is incredibly sad, I know! But my friends, being friends, always smile and pretend to like my gifts. I occasionally see these gifts on their desks / in their homes still (and feel compelled to throw them away).

In the last couple of years, my friends have been the unwilling recipients of homemade candles, mini photo albums, and a variety of other ‘great ideas’ that I feel too ashamed to share. This year though, I spent HOURS trolling through blogs of people who really inspire me, and finally found a project that’s do-able, practical, and so very pretty!

Hot chocolate gift idea by Danni from oh, hello friend

Picture credit: oh, hello friend

Click on picture to see how she does it! 10000x better than the ones I did (kinda goes without saying ….)

I was incredibly excited for this one, but as simple as this project was, I still met with ‘obstacles’ I really didn’t appreciate! Especially during the already-stressful time of Christmas. The marshmallows (of which I purchased 4 packs(!!!)) didn’t fit nicely into the bags, I couldn’t find the gorgeous heart-shaped cutters (?) that Danni used in hers, which I really liked. Plus the amount of chocolate powder I got wasn’t adequate so I had to make another trip.

Nevertheless! This is how I did it. Started out with the following items, a lot of which I didn’t use eventually, or I had replaced with something else.

Things I Used:

+ Cadbury Hot Chocolate Mix (which you can find in most supermarkets like NTUC & Cold Storage. I got mine from Cold Storage @ Parkway Parade. I got 3 bags (of 15 packets each))

+ Small glass bottles from Ikea

+ My stash of ribbons from Art Friend and other various stores. Eventually, I stuck with twine string (much easier and secure than the ribbons. You’ll see why later!)

+ Designed labels, which I also uploaded onto Infinite’s Twitter Page, to stick onto the glass bottles of chocolate powder & for the marshmallows as well

+ Marshmallows

I changed the type of marshmallows I used because the ones I got originally were too big and looked funny in the bags. I tried cutting ‘em into smaller pieces but they stick together a lot. Thankfully, I came across these brightly coloured marshmallows in the shape of flowers. Taste-wise, not too bad either!

Original:

After:

Details:

+ I used about 3 small packs of chocolate powder per glass bottle

+ Designed the following for this project -

Hot Chocolate sticker for the glass bottles

Labels for the packet of marshmallows

‘Comfort Food’ labels to tied around the neck of the glass bottles. Wanted to use the pretty ribbons initially, but because the ‘neck’ of the bottles are so short, the ribbons couldn’t be tied as securely to the bottles as I would have liked. I stuck with my trusty twine string instead!

+ Put the set, together with a card (which I almost forgot – dear me) into doggie bags that I also use during fleas! I love these.

+ Held the bag tight with Christmas seals

+ ‘To’ labels, which I also designed for this

Finished Product:

My very first almost-there ‘how-to’ post. Hope y’all liked it! It was really fun giving these away too. Let me know what you guys think! :>

Some of my friends, during our Christmas sleepover, had this whilst watching the Human Centipede. Yes, on Christmas. Yes, I have really weird friends. But it was really cosy nonetheless (:

***

In other news!

Almost 2 weeks to Valentine’s Day! Finally updated the website with all the Valentine’s items we have for sale -

Valentine’s Day cards

Mini Lovenotes

and the ever-popular Sweet (& Naughty) Lunchnotes!

Birthday cards are also up and will try to upload the rest of the items asap. If you’re looking for something and it’s not in the website, drop me an email @ iloveinfinite@gmail.com!

Have an awesome day ahead! It’s Friday!

Send a card to Santa this year and immerse yourself fully in the spirit this holiday season brings.

Singpost (Singapore) is offering festive postage rates for season’s greeting cards posted between 4th to the 25th of December to help spread the festive cheer :>

A card will cost $0.55 to mail to ANYWHERE in the world!

Fine Print:

+ Up to 40 grams

+ Card-sized

Santa Claus’ Main Post Office,

FI-96930 NAPAPIIRI, Finland

I’ve found beautiful and festive mailing labels designed by talented (and generous!) people from all over that you can download, print, and stick onto your parcels (:

Similar to the ones I use on our packages out to you -

Please note – FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY

Click on the ones you enjoy to be directed to the website for download (:

Click to be directed to ohhellofriend’s website for download

Click to be directed to ohhellofriend’s website for download

Click to be directed to creaturecomfortsblog’s website for download

Mailing labels by Amy via creaturecomfort’s blog. Click to be directed to website for download

I’ve been wanting to do free printables as well but haven’t found the time. Maybe for Valentine’s Day? Anyhow, hope you’ve found this useful! Have an awesome day ahead (:

Credits:

+ Sketch vectors by Spoon Graphics

+ Send a card to Santa information by Singpost

+ Free printables as credited above

It’s time to prepare to send your cards out to your friends & family! Some information I’ve gathered to make that process a little easier :>

Normal Mail

For small packages (letters, postcards etc.)

Deliver it before 5pm and your recipient should receive it by the next working day.

Additional $2.24 for Registered Postage (highly recommended)

Track your item here

AM MAIL

Send by 7p.m. Receive by 11a.m*

Information about AM Mail: Customers enjoy greater convenience of posting their mail in prepaid A.M. Mail envelopes at any of SingPost’s posting boxes during the regular mail collection hours and have the mail sent to the recipients no later than 11a.m. the next working day.

A.M. Mail Prepaid Envelope Rate
A.M. Mail prepaid envelopes are now available at all Post Offices.

Prepaid envelope rate for:
- Letterbox Delivery: $2.60 (Inclusive of 7% GST)
- Doorstep Delivery: $3.90 (Inclusive of 7% GST)

* Mail will be delivered by 11 am the next business day if sending:

Postage Rate Calculator

Speedpost EMS

Estimated delivery within 1-4 working days to major cities of the world

Additional Features:

x Compensation of up to $150 per package

x Insure your items for an additional $20 or 3% of the declared value, whichever is higher

Rates

Expected Delivery Date Calculator

Air Parcel

Estimated delivery within 6 – 14 working days to major cities of the world

Additional Information:

x Simply drop off the parcel at any post office

x Door-to-door collection also available upon request

x Proof of delivery available upon request

x Minimum compensation of $90 per parcel included

x Insure your parcel for an additional $20 or 3% of the declared value, whichever is higher

Rates

PLEASE NOTE: Working days include Mondays – Fridays, excluding Public Holidays

Singpost has the following checklist (and tips) to ensure your  greeting card (&/or gifts) get to your intended recipient safe and on time -

□ Ensure recipient’s address is written clearly, correctly, and completely (ensure also the correct 6-digit postal code for local addresses)

□ Indicate a return address on the back of the envelope, preferably on the flap

□ Affix your stamp(s) on the top right-hand corner of the envelope and ensure the correct postage

□ Use good quality packing materials

□ If applicable, cushion contents appropriately, for example with bubble wrap or foam to avoid damage during shipping

We hope this helps and email us if your require any additional help! :>

More information can be found at http://www.singpost.com/

Credits (vectors) go to http://eatdrinkchic.com

Our Christmas items are up on the website (click) and we’ve got tons of promotions to get you hyped up during this glorious holiday season.

Besides our Grand Giveaway (post below), we’ve also got other stuff as well – check out our promotion tab for more details (click)! Yes, we are giving away our Christmas Packs this year as well! Just spend $10 to qualify and it’s capped at our first 100 customers.

Have an awesome day ahead and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that our giveaway will go well! We heartily accept any comments you guys may have – what other stuff you’d like us to bring in for Christmas (next year of course), details and suggestions for our promotion(s) etc. Keep it coming!

Christmas Giveaway Gameplay

1. Purchase something for your friends / family (or yourself!) from Infinite’s online shop here

2. Be a fan on Facebook here

3. Upload a photo of item(s) you have purchased on our Facebook Wall

4. Get your friends to Like your photo!

Most likes wins you the iPod Touch :>

For more likes,

x Follows us on Twitter here (2 likes)

x RT our contest details here (2 likes)

x Blog about our online store / contest details (10 likes)

Contest Details

Contest Opens : Now!

Contest Ends: 25th December, 2359

Winner will be notified via FB by the 27th of December, and item will be couriered over before the New year!

Terms & Conditions

x One single purchase will qualify you for the contest

x Contest only open to people residing in Singapore

x Winner will be selected based on the most number of ‘Likes’

Prize Details

1. iPod Touch

+ 3rd Generation

+ 8gb

+ Brand new in box

2. 10% off ALL subsequent purchases for 365 days

+ Does not apply to items already discounted

3. $30 store voucher

+ For a friend of your choice

+ Storewide

+ Redeemable within 365 days

Lots of luck & luv!

Despite being MIA for almost, gasp, ten months, we’ve been receiving emails still on our products and such. Again, we’d really like to apologise as Infinite had to take a back seat while I sorted out family issues. Thankfully, things are much better now and I’m so excited to resume what I love doing best!

Like last year, we’ve tons of exciting stuff lined up. Right now, we’re rushing to complete the website (we’ve chosen a new server this time, whew!) which should be done in about 24 hours! We’ve also got really awesome promotions too.

Bear with us a little while longer, while we try to get everything set up. Can’t wait for Christmas and here’s to thanking you for staying with us through thick & thin! :>

Nevertheless! Have consolidated all the items we have for Valentine’s Day and because our web designer’s pretty busy, we’ve used Livejournal to showcase them instead.

(Click on picture to view)

Also, we advertised in Chic’s fleamarket magazine thing-a-ma-jig!

How cute is that?!

So pretty please DO tell your friends about us!  :>

We can’t wait to do another massive giveaway (like the one we did for Christmas) and we’re very welcome to ideas!! We’d definitely do it (if it’s something within reason (and budget……))

We hope you like the array of items we have for you for Valentine’s Day!

XOX, Nic & Jing

This week, we pry into the life of a young & creative crafter who supplies us with the super cute lunchnotes that we love! These pretty little notes will brighten anyone’s day. Enjoi!

A short introduction…

I am Odette, and I am originally from the Philippines. I moved here in  Dublin, Ireland in 2008 to join my Dutch husband, and we are very happy to call it here our “home” as well. Prior to my move, I have worked in a bank for a few years, and now I am a happy missus working from home. For a few hours each week, I also work as a volunteer for a charity which helps the elderly here in Dublin. The rest of my week is devoted to being a full-time wife and crafter.

And this is my studio!

One favourite item that you sell!

My favorite in my shop would be my P.S. I love you lunch cards. It started as a special note that I give to my husband everyday, tucked on his lunchbox. I know how much he liked receiving those notes, and thus the start of my selling them on my shop as well. I am also especially thrilled that the most I have ever sold of these cards were sent along with care packages for American soldiers and their families. I’ve received lots of good reviews in the mail from my friends and customers who bought them for their husbands/partners, and it feels so good knowing they’re making other people happy!

Tell us about your day! Generally…

My day starts very early. I am up by half-six to make my husband’s breakfast and lunchbox. He leaves at half-seven, and then I make a cup of tea for myself and sit in front of the computer. Around this time I do my shop administration, checking mails, updating my blog and catching up on my blog reads. When I’m feeling inspired I make new designs for new products, and doodle for some future projects. When I am procrastinating on doing an important project, i would waste half of my day on the internet. Then I’d panic and cram the rest of my schedule in the afternoon – sewing or for packing and posting shop orders. My day ends when my husband arrives from work and i have to resume my wifely duties. The next day, the cycle starts all over again.

When & how did you first start?

I’ve always been crafting since i was very young. I’ve made my own cards since grade school, sold handmade brooches in highschool and did sew dresses for my dolls as well. As much as i like creating, i also love the enterprise side of it. Every sale is as thrilling as finishing a handmade project, knowing that there’s actually someone who likes what i have made! So as I was preparing for my move to Ireland, I quit my day job and started selling my handmade cards through my blog to while the time away. It wasn’t until I was already living here in Dublin for almost a year when I summoned enough courage to open my online store.

What keeps you going?

I love what I do and that keeps me going. It’s a very basic need for me to let my hands work what my heart tells them. And of course, good reviews from my buyers. It reaffirms that i must be doing something good.

What inspires you?

I love pastel colors, birds, textures, brown paper and strings, beautiful sunsets, linen and yarns and old photographs. I am always inspired by the materials that I use. I am also inspired by the talent of so many artists around, who unselfishly share their love for their craft.

If you could have one wish, it would be …

world peace.
I know, I know. Everybody’s saying that already, but who doesn’t want a safe place for their children to live in?

What, do you think, sets you apart from the rest?

I think handmades are set apart from the rest. A handmade crafter puts his heart even in the smallest detail of every item he makes. Every crafter is unique and special in his own way. Every handmade is lovingly crafted by hands and special thoughts are always sent along with every item sold. I am just one of the many crafters around the world, and i am deeply pleased to be counted so.

Of all of Odette’s lovely lunchnotes (as we like to call ‘em), I love this quote best! Sometimes, I think, people need to be reminded of what they’re capable of  :>

The above are the newer designs of her lunchnotes.

To view the entire ‘collection’, click here!

That’s it for this week and TGIF!

(Yes, we haven’t gotten back into the whole going-back-to-school thing either! Le sigh.

It’s crazy how fast ’09 flew by. Infinite’s gone through quite a bit. It wasn’t easy, but we’ve had so much fun. Hopefully 2010 will be a better year (on our pockets, specifically) :>

Infinite was born, over a nice long talk at East Coast Beach in Jan. We were crazy excited about it at that point, and couldn’t wait to start. Little did we know it wouldn’t be half as easy as we thought it would be!

From then to March, I did up a business proposal to convince my Mom to pump in some cash (which she did and which I will be eternally grateful for hahaha), as we sourced for snazzy, creative people to join our ‘family’. I honestly, truly loved this part and the more amazing, like-minded people I found, the happier we got.

In April, we launched our very first items in Livejournal, just in time for Easter (we brought in only 5 cards (thank goodness) – sold 2 to a friend). Since then, we’ve got around 200 people in our mailing list.

Things started to die down and we were getting increasingly more frustrated and stressed out. In August some people approached us to place our items in their shop, and without thinking twice about it (which I should have), I hopped on the bandwagon without my partner’s and/or Mom’s support. They were right, it did very badly, as I should have expected.

Thankfully though, we found a more appropriate place, which, this time, everyone was pretty much confident about, and we set up shop at Haji Lane in late August. Read about it here.

We also started this blog in late August.

Featured in the Business Times in September – here, which we were extremely stoked about, and started sourcing for beautiful Christmas themed items in October, which has kept us very very busy till December!

In November, we were busy designing the free Christmas Packs for all our supportive customers (and non-customers), and we sent all the packs out early December!

It was pretty insane!

When we came back from Bali, we received something very special and something that warmed our hearts in the mail

A handmade card thanking us for the Christmas Packs we sent out!! Crazy sweet. It made ALL the stress worth it! Thanks so much Charmaine  :>

As Christmas drew closer, we decided that Infinite should take a backseat since we’ve been working so hard on it, and concentrate more on family and friends, as Christmas should be celebrated. We hustled and bustled and got all the food ordered and prepared for our clique, and had a pretty good time munching on ham & turkey whilst watching the OC.

And got ready cards for our best friends  :>  (which, I am ashamed to say, we haven’t given out yet!!!!! Ahhh!!!! Too busy on the 23rd (when we had the party with our clique) + 26th (when I was too sick)  :<  BUT, will do it asap! Argh)

This very special card that was specially made for us by our dear friend Molly Lee (we also did an interview with her – read it here!). It’s no secret how much we love her and her items and this card is no different! We got SUCH a rush seeing that they arrived safe and sound. Thank you so much Molly!!

Another ’3 reasons’ card by Molly

Just one of the many I wrote. Will update again with more photos!!!

And with that, ends Infinite’s very first year and Christmas. Now it’s time to start prepping for Valentine’s Day and we can’t wait for that.

A HUGE thanks to everyone who’s been crazy supportive and we’d like you guys to know that we really appreciate the kind comments and encouragement!

Happy (belated) Christmas & New Year ! We hope 2010 proves to be a better year for all  :>

Much love, Infinite

It’s no secret I love letterpressed items. The texture, the process, it all appeals to me. This husband-wife duo makes the most amazing letterpressed items. I especially like their cards. The colours and the illustrations and again, the texture, are crazy beautiful.

They use soy based inks onto 100% recycled, 30% PCW white cardstock & a 30% PCW recycled colour envelope (colours vary). These are cranked one at a time, one colour at a time, by hand, on a vintage Vandercook letterpress, which gives each card texture and impression that you can both see and feel.

I’ll do a short write-up on the process of letterpress soon. Till then…..

A short introduction…

I’m Kirk Jorgensen.  My wife Eva and I run a letterpress/design print shop in Heber City, Utah.  I’m a huge fan or riding bikes and playing/watching soccer.

One favourite item that you sell!

I really like our Holiday cards.

(ILI’s note: So do we!)

Tell us about your day! Generally…

When we get to the studio we usually grab some breakfast and read the news/blogs while we eat.  After that, I’ll print and pull the orders and get them ready to ship.  I’ll check the printing calendar and see what needs to be printed that day.  After printing, I’ll process all of the shipments and drop them off at the Post Office.  If there is any time left, I’ll work on one of the endless things on my “to do” list.

When & how did you first start?

Sycamore Street Press started while I was in graduate school in Columbus, Ohio.  Eva has an MFA in printmaking and we decided to invest in a letterpress as a practical application for her degree.

What keeps you going?

It’s really great working together with Eva. We both have our own strengths and weaknesses, but we are able to compliment each other.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by simple drawings, Scandinavian design, and punk rock bands like the Ramones.

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened since you’ve started?

Hmm..We’ve been lucky enough to be featured on the TV show Good Morning America.

5 things you could never do without:

1. Eva
2. My bike.
3. Music
4. Family
5. Friends

What, in your opinion, sets you apart from the rest?

We’re a small operation and pay attention to quality.  We also stive to be as “green” as possible.

I love this ’cause it’s so simple with the beautiful colours and so appropriate for Christmas at the same time! This is one of my favourite Christmas cards that we carry in the store 

Perfect for that special friend who’s always been there for you.

All items are available @ TheBlogshop, Haji Lane

These will also be made available online from next year

That’s it for this week and TGIF!

Countdown to Christmas: 7 days

If you haven’t gotten your Christmas shopping done, do it soon!

And remember to have fun in the process