Sakura

Who says you have to be in Japan to see sakuras bloom?


Saw these really love cherry blossoms when I first arrived in LA. I was very fortunate to see them, though. They withered the week after I captured them on film.... 


We were taking a walk behind our new apartment and these lovely sakuras lined the sidewalk. I couldn't resist but stop and take pictures of them and I'm glad I did. 




Quirky

Reflections of the day

(Thanks hubby for this photo!)

Today is about to end but there are some things that I would like to reflect on.

1. The God I serve is really a Great God. He is awesome beyond words and I have experienced firsthand that He will not shortchange His children who obeys Him. For in Luke 6:8 it says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."

2. I really enjoyed my day, especially breakfast with Rekha, Nadiah and Bremen and Alison visiting and even Melissa who brought me Nescafe! :) Thank you God for your goodness in placing these nice souls in my life. 

3. Someone stole one of my journals... right from under my nose. You will be judged by God (I don't care which god you worship, you will be judged nonetheless. Just remember that). It really upsets me cos I really put a lot of effort, love and time into creating each journal.

4. Penny, my precious kitten, is sick. We came back to puke and diarrhea on the living room floor. My heart breaks to see her unwell. I pray that God will give her rest and heal her and not let her suffer.

Quirky

Sewing Journals

Here's a little peek at my tiny work table and the stack of journals that I need to sew :) I try to sew more when I can because the process of bookbinding is not something that can be done in an hour. It takes time to fold the paper, cut the holes, then sew the signatures together, make the covers, add elastic band (or leather cord, etc) and glue the whole thing together... Then the journal needs to be kept under heavy weight to make sure they glue/bond well together before I can take it out and show it to the world.

I love working on this tiny table because it's the only place where I can watch tv when I work. I sit on the floor and sew or fold the papers. If I wanna make cards, it's easier to do that on my craft table in another room. Sometimes I get backache and numb legs from sitting on the floor too long. I have to remind myself to get up and walk around for a while to relax my muscles... :) 

But I enjoy making handmade stuffs :) I cannot explain it, I just like it :)

Quirky

My little helper & some news

Penny loves to watch me when I craft or rearrange my handmade stuffs... sometimes she wants to play with the things I've made, other times, she just wants that elastic band that's on my table. She loves simple things too and an elastic band is enough to keep her entertained for a couple of hours :)

These pictures were taken when I was using this tray to transport some of my journals to another room to photograph them. The moment I took the journals out, she climbed into the tray and plonked her body on it. So cute! 

And then she decided to take a nap in it. So, I just let her while I continue to photograph my journals and do my work :)

On some other news, some of you may know that I was 'co-pilot' for Square Art. It was a venture with a friend selling mosaic tile supplies for art. But as much as I loved the business and the art of it, I had come to a place where I have to make a tough decision to let it go. It pains me because it was my 'baby' too but I guess it's something that had to be done. I need to concentrate on Angelicquirk Handmade Crafts, to think of new ideas and dream of new projects!

I'll be selling scrapbooking/mini album kits as well in the near future! Assembling the kits at the moment and will be listing them soon! :)

Thank you for your support thus far and I hope that you will continue supporting me! :)

Hugs,

Quirky

Random Instagram Photos

I just finished 3 days of craft market over at Sunway University and though sales wasn't as encouraging because it's apparently the study leave week, I had a great time bonding with the other crafters :)

But I think I'm too tired now to think of what to blog so here's some random photos I took with instagram for you :P 

my painting supplies... wanna start painting again

Monkey see, Monkey do :)

Postcards I sent myself from Bangkok

Will be back with postings of cards soon! :)

Quirky

Gratitude

I'm including a little gift with every purchase of my handstitched journals from now on :) It's just a token of my appreciation to my customers. I do appreciate each and everyone of you and really want to make the buying experience from Angelicquirk better and better :)

Hope you're having a good Monday! My Monday is super busy! Have been completing some journals, stamping on paper bags and general preparation for craft market in Sunway University happening tomorrow and Wednesday :) I'm sure it'll be fun! :)

On another note, I am still deliberating a lot in my mind. So much to think and decide...oh, decisions, sometimes I wish I don't have to make them.

Quirky

Thinking

Are you pondering on anything today? hmmmm..... I have a lot on my mind lately. Too much actually and that's making me feel really stressed out. I think I better go list down everything, take a deep breath, have a cuppa coffee and start putting the important things to do first and listing it down again in order of importance.

Even then, I'm procrastinating... yikes. Better get started on listing my to do list soon.

Quirky

From where I stand...

....I can see the past. Things that have taken place leading me to this place that I am now. Do I regret certain decisions made? Well, we can't live life with regrets now, can we? So, as much as I reflect back and think that there are things that I could have done differently, I remind myself not to regret them. 

Every decision we make, pushes us in another direction. There is always two or more ways we can deal with a certain situation and there is never a right or a wrong to a decision made. It is our choice. Of course, I'm not talking about morally or ethical decisions... that would probably have it's impact if we made the 'wrong' choice.

From where I stand now, I can see the present. I have my share of uncertainties and stress... some of you may not believe but that depends on how you live your life. At this present moment, I am trying hard to build my online crafting business and as a freelance writer. For the simple reason that I don't want my brain to turn into mush, I decided to apply to be a freelance writer. A lot of thinking, analyzing and deciphering to do but I guess that is good for my brain cells.

From where I stand, I may not be able to see the future that clearly but I'm working towards it. I want to accomplish my niche. I am not just sitting at home and letting my brain rot :) I never am able to understand how some say they cannot stay at home because they will be bored to death because I never can. I blog, I surf the net, I craft, I read, I write, I clean, I wash, I exercise, I play with my cat, I take time to enjoy my coffee and then work some more. Crafting is work, ok? :) If you don't believe it, try it!

Quirky

Handmade Gifts from the heart

What is your preference when receiving gifts? Would you like to receive handmade gifts? Or would you prefer store bought ones?

There are a few friends I know who would definitely appreciate and treasure handmade gifts but I'm not sure about the rest. Would they consider handmade gifts 'cheap' because there is no price tag or brand on it?

That is my challenge when it comes to gift giving.

As crafters, we will most often than not, create gifts for our friends or loved ones. We spend time thinking on what to create, what colours and materials to use and then start creating. Handmade gifts are gifts made with love and a lot of heart. They should be appreciated more than store bought ones, don't you think? :P

Quirky

Slack-a-rack-dack....

Ok... so the title doesn't really make sense. But yup, I've been slacking a little bit. I wouldn't say I was totally unproductive but I was not up to speed or up to my expectations. It could be the lack of sleep due to my hubby being sick (and thus coughing the night away.. waking me up endless times.. pity him.. he doesn't get to sleep much either) and also the fact that Penny underwent surgery to be spayed last Wednesday. I was awake at times during the first 2 nights to make sure she's ok.

Still feeling l-a-z-y..... I have a couple of ideas brewing in my mind. Excited to put them into action. Also need to think of ways to make more money... haha. Have to be more discipline and really put my thoughts to action.

Will update with more pictures soon..

Quirky

Penny recuperating

Penny went for spaying yesterday morning. Then we brought her home to recuperate... so sad to see a big patch of her fur removed and the incision on her side. She was pretty upset initially then settled down a bit after we allowed her to sleep on our bed. We actually put her in her cage but she somehow managed to open the cage door by herself! Walked up the stairs and jumped on the bed! >.<

She was totally not supposed to do that right after surgery! sigh.....

She slept the whole night at my feet but this morning I had to put her in her cage cos I am worried that she might follow me up and down the stairs. She's very upset now... meow-ing away and trying to open the cage door... SIGH....

Penny in her "one bedroom apartment"

These pictures were taken in the morning when she was still 'ok' with being 'quarantined' in her one bedroom... As of now, she's meowing and trying to break free from her cosy home. Sigh... breaks my heart to hear her meow like that... But I can't risk her walking up or down the stairs following me around. I want her to heal....

Quirky

A learning process

Life is a learning process... no matter where we are in life, what titles or positions we have or had under our belts, or how old we are, there are always things out there for us to experience and learn. Because we can never finish learning everything that life has to offer.

But one of the few things I've learned so far is to be true to yourself. To be honest and sincere in the things that we do. To be happy doing it and if sharing, share genuinely. We answer to God and to ourselves. So if we can honestly justify our actions to God and to ourselves, then no one else's opinions matter.

Principles and ethics of life needs to be adhered to.

We cannot stop people from their actions but theirs is not for us to judge. We just need to take care of our own actions. Be true to ourself.

And be happy doing it. This is a whole new phase of life for me and I'm loving all the lessons being thrown my way :)

Quirky

These are ....

.... what's been keeping me away from my crafts for a while... well, not entirely their fault. Mr. Mojo decided to take a leave of absence too, so it was double jeopardy :P

Adopted two kittens last month to add into the family... we already have Tinsel, the ginger male cat and the two additions are Penny, a tabby and Leonard, another male :)

Penny's very sweet and she enjoys being cuddled... Leonard is more like Tinsel... enjoys cuddling only when he's really sleepy but he's still generally a lot more gentler than Tinsel.

Look at the paws.. cute, right? different colours! :P

Hugging self while sleeping... bliss....

Tinsel has gotten used to them and enjoys fussing over them. They still 'fight' and the little ones will make a lot of noise cos I think Tinsel is too rough... but overall, they are getting along fine :)

Hope you enjoys the pictures! :)


Quirky

Hola! :)

Hey peeps.... it's been a long while since I last updated this blog. I'm such a bad blogger, huh? :P So sorry for leaving this space 'empty' and unattended. Not that I have a lot of readers, hehe, but those who actually came may have also left cos there's no updates for too long? 

*please come back...... LOL*

I'm back and will not only be updating pictures of my cards, ramblings about my life but also sharing some tutorials, albums and notebooks! :) Still afraid to venture into scrapbooking those 12x12 LOs so I may start smaller... we'll see how things goes *winks*

Oh, and I absolutely love this rose ring that I found in a quaint little shop. 

pictured with it is my wedding band :)

I saw it the first time I went but I didn't buy it and couldn't stop thinking about it! and when I went back the second time, I was worried that it would have already been sold but it's still there waiting for me! :D 

*happy dance*

Quirky

Strawberry & Chocolates

I miss this!!!

Since I'm mojo-less still and am still trying to make a card..... I thought I will tempt all of you with chocolate covered strawberries.... hehe.. Love love love them!

Am having sore throat now. I'm *guessing* it's the McD that I had for lunch and then the gorging snacking on Shapes biscuits. That is definitely heaty! sigh.... am suffering from the consequences now :(

But on a side note, I am definitely loving this new blogger templates too :) Makes things so much easier to change a layout and everything looks super professional, right? :D


Quirky

Mojo-less

I've been experiencing a lack of 'mojo' since coming back from holiday..... all I managed to do was select the photos to be printed out and that was about it.... sigh..

It's not a nice feeling to be in a situation where I'm finding it sooooOoooOOo hard to be creative. Gotta go stare at my supplies again now. Let's see if anything comes up soon :)


Quirky

Sneak peek

A little sneak peek of a project I'm working on..... I'll be posting the full project soon. Keep your eyes in this space :) well, either that.... or pop back for a visit again soon!

Quirky

3 Christmases ago...

Found these photos taken 3 Christmases ago, back in 2006. I was helping out in the make-up department for the Church play.... I think it's called, "Something playing in my Ear". Correct me if I'm wrong, peeps :)

There were a few characters that we needed to put extra work on. One is Jesus... and the other is an Old Man... The pictures aren't very clear but you can see the what I mean :)

He's supposed to be covered in blood & bruises. Jesus on the way to the Cross.... It was challenging to both me & Samantha because of all the make-up needed. And to make it look like blood too! But God gave us ideas & I think we were able to pull it off :)

Ben was supposed to be an old man.... he's in his early 20s... hehe... challenging or not? We had to make him look like he had white hair too.... and his mustache as well. All fake... he ain't got a single strand of white hair....

Here's Rayson after full make-up. Suk Yin was helping him with the costume. Look really bloody, right? Well, Jesus was flogged, whipped, tortured for our sakes.... He was really hurt.

Brings back a lot of memories, these pictures :)

Quirky

under the weather

Gosh, has it really been a week without card postings? I'm so sorry gals... I've been under the weather... was lacking the mojo at first and then was struck with a viral fever. Body was aching and then the fever crept in too.... sigh.... am feeling so much better now.

Gonna start creating again. Pop by again soon, k?

Quirky

Sketch 58 Super Six!!!

Guess what? Happy hippity hoppity news! :D

I am so honored that my card is picked by Card Pattern's as one of Sketch 58's Super Six!!!!

That's me ---> Quirky with the sofa on the card .... Oh oh, thanks for making my day!!!! My first time appearing on Card Pattern as a Super Six!!!! So, so honored & happy!!!!

Can you imagine me doing the happy dance with a huge grin on my face? :D


Quirky