Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Last Lap

It's 4 more days of dance classes to the end of the course. How time flies. It has been an interesting and intense 3-month experience being an apprentice of the Spring Dance Company.


The day we received our apprentice t-shirts and hoodies. Ready for Hip Hop!


 

The course ends with a graduation evening where the graduates will be performing 8 dance items back to back. Not sure how that will pan out but hopefully it will all be good and memorable.


After the graduation, my course mates and I will go separate ways to return to our homes - America, Holland, Devon,West Sussex & East London. Well, I am pretty much the only one staying in London. Hopefully one day we will all cross paths again and work for His glory.



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Saturday, November 26, 2011

Check-in to the Red Box







I've finally completed my Pay It Forward project. Made one small little DIY item as requested by the project and also added several little cardmaking goodies into the package :)

 

Hope my PIY recipients (Marlene, Christa & Zhana) would enjoy it.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Vintage Typewriter & Candy Jar



After months of depriving myself from card making and with hubby's full support & approval, I bought these new sets of stamps (through Create&Craft) and the Christmas paper pad :) 


I know my hubs would just allow me to buy anything but it's just nice that whenever I asked for his opinion and he would lovingly give the green light.



 

I have been eyeing these stamp designs particularly the typewriter and the jar. Glad to finally own them. Yay!


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Monday, November 14, 2011

Dance Stress

It's the 2nd half of the term now. There are tons of assignments, choreographies and rehearsals to be done. My body is strained and my muscles ache while my brain has been suffering from memory crunch remembering loads of new steps on and off. I feel I am filled to the brim. Overwhelmed.







Just ended one dance assignment and got it off my back. It was a huge relief for less than a week and the stress returned with bigger burden after that. I feel like I can't cope. Sigh.

O Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me. I pray that You will give me the strength, courage, patience and dignity as I struggle to pull through till the end of the course.





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Saturday, November 5, 2011

Bookmark for a Bestie

 




Just would like to share with you a quick bookmark I made for a close gal friend who had just turned 30 on 11.11.11. Hope she would like it.



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New Toy Experiments



This is a long overdue post to show my experiments with the challenge prizes I won sometime ago.
 

The Helz Cuppleditch's Fairy Cakes stamp won from Craft Your Days Away Challenge :




The stamps and my own coloured stamp images were placed side by side to see if my choice of colours was good enough. I think they look alright, what say ya? ;0)

And one other toy, Martha Stewart's punch round the page set won from Do You Stack Up Challenge :



 

 
This was not a proper card. It was just a mock-up which I did not like, so it did not make it to a friend whom I intended it for.


Am very pleased with these toys. Looking forward to using them for cards.



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Friday, November 4, 2011

Pay it Forward DIY Project







Well, I have joined this project from Alison blog (formally known as StretchNBubbles) and taken it upon myself since 14th May 2011. The project is to be done before the end of 2011. I have hoped for five persons to join me but only 3 made it so far. It's November now and I won't have much time before I get too busy towards Christmas season. As it is, I am already occupied with dance classes and assignments to finish before the end of term.

So I have decided to just complete my project by sharing my love with the special 3 gals that had responded to the project on my blog post :
Marlene from D World Of Marlene Lo (I love her cardmaking style, go check her out!)
Christa from Serendipity Originals (My new craft friend within London who is passionate about cardmaking too  ^_^)
Zhana from Lovely Thread Garden (Another friend made through my blog giveaway, she does lovely tatting and embroidery)
 Girls, I am in the midst of preparing your gifts and will certainly send them your way by December. Hope you remember to do your PIF project too from your blog ;) 


Just thought it would be nice to mention their blog sites here... it's a also another priceless way for paying it forward ;)



I can't wait to get my hands on my craft tools and make some cards again. Time is indeed a luxury for me now. Oh, I just gotta be patient as course is ending in mid December.


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Sunday, October 2, 2011

Dance O My Soul...

Oh yes, there is one other major reason as to why I will not be so active blogging and making cards at the moment. My 3-month full time dance course has just started and it will end in December. It is very knackering and I can hardly do much other than cooking dinner once I get home.


During dance science class


I thank God for this given opportunity to be trained on the genre of Contemporary and Ballet as I have been doing mostly Hip Hop and Jazz all this while. Classes have been challenging - physically, mentally and emotionally. Physically exhausting, memory demanding and emotionally affected... but all these are happening for the certain kind of dancer (person) that He has intended me to be.


All glory to Him


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Saturday, October 1, 2011

Move it, move it. move it...



August was a very busy month. It was summer and there were so many outdoor activities luring me to enjoy the lovely heat and sunshine. Besides that, I was also busy packing to move to another home on 1st September. Packing and all the preparation, moving day and settling down in a new place could really drain one's energy.

As of now, my husband and I are trying to settle down a.s.a.p. The last batch of furniture just arrived last Saturday and we took the whole weekend to have them all assembled. The next tedious thing is to rearrange the stuff from boxes to the shelves, cabinets and under bed storage. As of this afternoon, I just did my 1st attempt to squeeze all  my craft items on to the designated shelves. Oh, I really can't wait to get all these done and begin to properly enjoy the new home. Would love to rejoin the crafting world soon.

We have moved to Stratford in East London. This is where the Olympic 2012 Stadium is. A new Westfield Shopping Mall has just been open on 13th September.

So many constructions going on in East London in preparation for the Olympics. Roads and pavements repaired; new mall and more tube lines connecting from Stratford itself. I love the convenience of staying relatively near the mall, shops, cinemas and public transport. Totally awesome.

It has been unusually hot the past few days. It's such a strange October in London... an Indian Summer!Just sometime ago, a local newspaper said it would snow in October. Doubt it's going to happen now. Anyway, I shall enjoy every bit of this 'summer' warmth and wear all the dresses I want before the winter hits and I'd have to wrap up like a penguin.


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Monday, July 18, 2011

Recent Crackdown In Malaysia



Dear Friends of Blogland,


Sorry for not having my blog updated the past two weeks. I have been occupied with the terrible condition in my homeland in Malaysia (a 2nd world country).


The two tiny yellow specks located between China & Australia represent Malaysia.
Click on map for larger view.


Just to give you an idea of which prominent people hail from Malaysia - Jimmy Choo (shoe designer), Michelle Yeoh (actress), Maggie Q (actress), Zang Toi (fashion designer) and Ling (supermodel).


I do understand that in some countries, politic issues are taboo. I am not about to bore you with lengthy lament of my concern but just to share with you as briefly as I can what the recent crackdown in Malaysia was all about without stating my political view.  If you would like more info, click on the links in this post to read further.


Many media resources including TV news, newspapers and youtube have been showing the corruption in the current Malaysian government. And for the past week, the world shown concern for the brutal treatment of the Malaysian Police towards the non-armed citizens at the peaceful rally [Bersih 2.0] on 9th July 2011 for the demand of 'Clean & Fair Election'. Youtube clips shown that the police released tear gas and water canon to the rally people with insufficient/no warning (to disperse). Before the rally, the defense minister stated that they might even deploy the aid of country's military if need be. What? To unarmed citizens?



Estimated 50,000 persons turned up for the Bersih 2.0 rally
in Kuala Lumpur the capital city of Malaysia



The Bersih 2.0 rally (also called the Walk for Democracy) was a sequel to a similar rally in 2007. Bersih means 'clean' in the Malay language. Bersih 2.0 is a coalition of 62 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) but the rally was deemed illegal by its local government because the rally received monumental support from 3 opposition parties. The rally's immediate demands were: 
  1. Clean the electoral roll
  2. Reform postal voting
  3. Use of indelible ink
  4. A minimum campaign period of 21 days
  5. Free and fair access to mainstream media
  6. Strengthen public institutions
  7. Stop corruption
  8. Stop dirty politics

This rally has received support from Malaysians abroad and hence the Bersih 2.0 Solidarity gatherings in 34 cities (or more). Among the countries involved were US, Canada, UK, Australia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and etc. They wore yellow to the colour theme of Bersih 2.0.  A colour which has been banned in Malaysia. Some people who wore yellow within the rally week were caught for no lawful reason. (Apparently two weeks after the rally , 4 persons were caught for wearing the Bersih 2.0 shirts within the privacy of their hotel room.)


This event has not only drawn the sympathy of Amnesty International but also that of the Queen Elizabeth II of United Kingdom. Her Royal Highness donned on a bright yellow attire when receiving the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Many people has tried to draw their own conclusion on whether the Queen wore the 'offensive' colour by coincidence or with full intention. Suffice it to say the Queen has many advisors and credible sources to prepare her before each meeting with all delegates and VVIPS. For anyone to think the shocking yellow dress on Queen is a coincidence would be an insult. Queen Elizabeth II is certainly not a mediocre nor someone oblivious to world news. Her Royal Highness is very well informed and should I say all-knowing too! ;)



Malaysian Prime Minister Najib shaking the hand of Queen Elizabeth II



I am not an activist nor do I love politics. I just hope and and pray that the nation of Malaysia including all political parties, the police and the government be united to make the country a better place to live in and to achieve the Vision 2020 for becoming a fully developed first world country with a steady economy.



P/S : If you live in a country that practises democracy, human rights and freedom of speech, give thanks! Don't take them for granted as some of us do not have such privilege.




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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Less Is More - Clean & Simple... Plain But Brilliant!


I have always loved to see how some crafters adopt the style of clean & simple. I reckon there has been increasing demand for less is more designs - not only for handmade cards but also in fashion, architecture, and etc. It may seem easy to design according to that theme but when there is less in the feature, the design has to have an attractive focus. The clean & simple approach requires skill - creating something plain without it appearing empty or bland.










Stamps : Bird (Prima), Fauna (Personal Impressions), Sentiment (RubberNecker)
Paper: 5"x 5" Card, White Card Stock
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) 
Promarkers : Meadow Green, Tan, Satin
Embellishment: 3mm Colour Gems (Anita's), Natural Jute Twine, Pink Button


I shall continue to practise making cards this style ;) 


Sharing this card with folks at these challenges :
Stamping For The Weekend - My Favourite Things
Stampin' B's Design Team - Friendship Sentiment
Moving Along With Time - Clean & Simple




I heard that this weekend is the hottest weekend this summer (London). So, after the Sunday church service, I shall be lazing in the park frolicking with Mr Sun ;)









PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!





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Blessed With 3 Awards This Week!



This week has been a week of awards.


In my previous post, I mentioned that the award from Do you Stack Up's card challenge has finally reached me on Friday. Loving the Martha Stewart punch set ;) See the pictures here.
  

I have just been given these :




 The card that won the Craft Your Days Away's Challenge #22 




Within this month, I have won 1 Martha Stewart craft punch set, 3 digital stamps and 1 small cling stamp set. 


I do not believe in coincidence or pure luck. I am grateful God has given me such encouragements with these prizes. I will continue to design more quality cards. May You continue to inspire me!






PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!




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Saturday, June 25, 2011

My 2nd Blog Award



This month has been an awesome one so far.


What after winning the Sugar Creek Hollow's card challenge, Wendy from 1st Unique Gifts awarded me with this blog award :





Thank you Wendy. What an honour! I will do my best to hunt for the next 7 bloggers that deserve this award too. Hopefully when I come back with another post announcing this award recipients, they will take me seriously and gladly accept it.


Just in April 2011, I passed on the Liebster Award to others. I left a comment on their blogs and even emailed some to notify them of the award but none of them responded/acknowledged it. How odd! Strange especially because at least two out of these five bloggers seem to be active and responsive. If you are friends with any of them, please do notify her on my behalf, ya.


When I come back to announce the recipients, I will also share with you 7 random things about myself - as required by the Versatile Blogger Award. Meantime, I will bring my sniper 'mouse' with me and hunt for the next 7 recipients ;)


Stay tune.






PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!


 
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My First Martha Stewart Craft Punch - Won From DYSU Challenge



My card challenge award from Do You Stack Up (sponsored by Copics Scrapbooker) has finally reached me.


Initially I was told I won a Martha Stewart craft punch. I was already thrilled as I have always wanted a MS craft punch but have been telling myself that recently I have invested too much on craft tools and materials. I will need to delay gratification. Little did I know my first MS craft product would be won instead of purchased! Good is good.


Due to some reason the delivery of award have been postponed twice. So after a long wait of more than a month, Copics Scrapbooker upgraded my award to Martha Stewart's Punch Round The Page set! Woohoo! Who would mind waiting if you know you will be upgraded for anything? Though I didn't know that I would receive the upgrade, I waited patiently because it's a free item. And these card challenges are meant to be helping me make more cards consistently. Winning anything is a bonus.

 
The long awaited punch reached me yesterday in a very good packaging. Well done, Copics Scrapbooker!





And this is the MS set I was given.




Ah, bliss...







PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!




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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Winner for Doily Challenge at SCH



Yay! I just won a cardmaking challenge. This is my 2nd award so far. You can also see that at the top of my sidebar.
 



I don't mind starting a hobby for collecting award badges... but of course only those awarded to me, not by stealing ;)


This was the card that made it to win at Sugar Creek Hollow's Doily Challenge...




Thank you guys for your continuous support and 'nudges' to keep me making cards as I should. 



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Sweet Little Birthday



This cute 'virgin' stamp has been bought since last March but it has been sitting quietly in a craft box with the rest of my other new stamps waiting to be used. Finally, I have decided it's about time this LOTV stamp be met with Mr.Memento ;) Here are the two cards I made with similar theme.




Version 1.0




See the boy is about to cut the 'button' fruit! ^_^




Version 2.0




Version 2.0 Close up




Both versions ;)

Stamp : Lili Of  The Valley
Paper: 5"x7" Metallic Pink/White Card (Royal Langnickel), White Card Stock, Pattern Paper (DCWV)
Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento) 
Promarkers : Leaf Green, Meadow Green, Pastel Blue, Denim Blue, Ice Grey 2, Pastel Pink, Buttercup, Canary, Amethyst
Embellishment: 3mm Colour Gems (Anita's), Satin Ribbon
Tools: Threading Water (Fiskars)



What's next? No brainer, they are to be entered for challenges. So here are where the cards have been shared :





PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!



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Friday, June 17, 2011

Summer Birthday

This card design has been lingering in my mind for at least two months. Glad I finally had it executed.











Papers : 5"x7" Green Card (Royal Langnickel), White Card Stock, Spring Stack (DCWV)
Stamps : Sentiment (May Hughes), Lemon (Summer Chill - House Mouse)
Ink : Tuxedo Black (Memento) 
Promarkers : Canary, Soft Lime, Buttercup, Soft Peach, Pumpkin
Embellishment : 3mm Colour Gems (Anita's), Grosgrain Ribbon, Glitter Glue
Tools : Corner Punch (Siesta), Threading Water (Fiskars)



It is a simple card and definitely not one of those complicated designs that kept me from making it. Old friend, Procrastination, was in the way. That's why. 


Anyway, I have yet found my style for card design. I think I would not have one until I have had tried most, if not all the trends and techniques I see on blogland ;)


Entering this card for these challenges :





PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I discovered it on someone else's blog and decided to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!



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Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Trading at Netil Market



It has been about two weeks since I made cards again because I was busy getting ready to make my first appearance at a Saturday flea market on 4th June 2011. It was Netil Market in Bethnal Green, East of London. This market is about 1-year old, so it is not that popular yet. That's why I could afford their current stall rent. Unlike other mature markets whose stall rent can be rather exorbitant.



Netil Market's entrance

 

Most of the week leading to the market date was spent on visiting suppliers in their physical shops and also online. When I finally paid for a market stall booking, I was pressed for preparation. I laboured time on repackaging and doing quality control for the cards I have previously made. There were lots of printing, cutting and pasting labels for price tags and signages. Phew. Setting up a stall is a lot of work!


I even bought a plain mirror almost as big as A4 size and decorated it. 




Wanted to have it displayed at my stall for the use of customers as I included some of my new jewelry stock for sales too. However, this mirror did make it to 'live' long. It was crushed while I was packing everything into a large luggage. Wasted effort and time.


My fav bear managed to use the mirror before it cracked




Anyway, Setting up the stall took much longer than closing up. That's because it was my first time trading in a market in London. Everything I had to do at a market that day was new, new, new! 


Here are some pics of the Netil Market.

Surprised to see they even sell some urinals right at the entrance! Haha.
























 It is not a big market but they sell all sorts of stuff here. Antiques, vintage items, clothing, crafts, collectibles... and even...





...bicycles! Isn't this Bicycle Library interesting?


My foremost intention of trading here was not to make big bucks. I would say most of us crafters are more dedicated to making the crafts they love more than anything else... like trading. So since I have already accumulated quite a number of handmade cards, I decided to see for myself how people respond to my design and pricing. Realized I aced at pricing lower than customers' expectation. While handmade cards can be expensive, I try my best to sell them at reasonable cheaper rate, just so more people can afford my 'artwork'. I want more people to own my work. I am not a Picasso but one can only dream, right?


A card I made and kept for 2 years because I loved it so. I made the clay baby myself.


This card baby was finally sold to adopted by the mum of another trader. Before she left my stall, she told me she would be a good mummy ;) She also said she is a painter and that in her house she has a wall where she displays collections of artwork. To my pleasant surprise, she said she decided to frame this card! Yay!


Now, here are some photos of my humble stall with very little investment on stall fixture at the moment...
 

eyeARTyou was in the centre of this row. The only one that bothered to display a stall name.



Humble beginning with makeshift stall name board and other displays


Also sold some clothing & jewelries which I handpicked for sales. Thought other items would help draw more people to browse at my stall in case the cards don't immediately attract them to come by from a distant.



Incentives to stop by? ;)


I always had the idea that sweets can help create the welcoming atmosphere. I didn't mind even if they stop just for the sweets. Many did appreciate the sweets.There were also 10 pence & 20 pence paper craft items and 50 pence brooches which I made. Those were gimmicks in hopes of luring people to check out other items too.


At the meantime, all other stuff may seem more eye catching in the stall but to me they are mere tactics to get people to stop and take notice of the handmade cards. Don't yet have the fund for proper card display shelves and etc, so I just made do with what I have.



Hubby was keeping watch while resting in the picnic chair we brought.


It was a very windy day. For countless times throughout the day , my cards on the table flew to my neighbour's stall. Thank God my cards were already protected with plastic. There were not many people visiting the market although there is another rather established market about 1 minute walk on the same street. I realized the organizer may not have done enough to advertise or promote the market. So I am now considering and looking for other venues.


How was my sales? Well, thank God I managed to cover the stall rent and also make some. But it isn't that much to cover a lavish meal for two. Haha. Like I shared earlier, my objectives were to gain trading experience and also to see for myself people's responses to my cards. So, I would say my objectives were met. Ticked!

The closing time came and we packed up at the stall. One of the traders found something foreign in his stall. 


Poor man/woman for losing this good looking dental plate!


A denture!!! Imagine what a peculiar thing to be seen at any lost & find section. Hahaha... I couldn't resist taking a shot of this.


Before we left the area, my hubby and I hung out at a cafe for a cuppa of joe. 






After drinking in the atmosphere and the latte at the cafe, we were set to continue our journey home via the underground tube lugging 1 huge luggage, 2 backpacks, 1 picnic chair & 1 three-fold stand.


Voila! The 'report' on my 1st trading experience in London is finally done. Phew. What a long post.


Thanks to all of you who have been giving me the moral support to do what I have been hoping to do. And also those who take interest in my progress ;) Tq, tq, tq... TQ!







PAY IT FORWARD
I would like to invite some crafters to join me at this craft swap... erm, not exactly a swap but you get something handmade from me and you are to make something to give to next 5 persons. It's the 'Pay It Forward' project. I have found it on blogland and decided I would like to participate in this meaningful project. Click here to join me or to read more about it. Only 3 more places left. So hurry!



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