The One About Taking a Leap (CIS Bazaar 2014)

If you follow my Instagram or Facebook account, you'd know immediately why this blog had been neglected for some time now.  When I started this craft and lifestyle blog, its main purpose was to simply be able to document all my inspired projects and creative pursuits.  I figured the blog was also a way to continually push me to tap into my creative side from time to time.  For years, people close to me have expressed admiration for my work and nudged me to try selling them.  I put them off for various reasons:  not enough time, not enough capital, etc.  However, during one of my solitude moments - when I'd think and ponder best - I visualized the kind of life I desired.  A passionate creative individual living a creative independent life.  I simply had to pursue it.  To this day, that vision continues to drive me and is the reason for taking the entrepreneurial plunge.

I had to stop making excuses and start making things happen.

So that's exactly what I did.  The idea for selling my stuff was born last summer.  Since I had two months off from work, my time was spent doing research, making samples, and sourcing materials.  I came up with a minimum viable product (wrap skirts) which received good feedback from people.  After that, I came up with a small line of clothing articles.  The whole time I was planning this, I knew there was only one place I wanted to start selling at -- Cebu.

So - again - that's exactly what I did (or where I went).  The months leading to the Cebu International School Christmas Bazaar was a frenzy of rejecting, tweaking, and approving samples, fabric sourcing, sewing, budgeting, more sewing -- it was crazy!  But I was very happy and inspired.

So last week, I debuted my products at the bazaar and the experience was nothing short of wonderful.  I had people checking out my stuff, purchasing them, asking if I had an online shop, taking a calling card.

I sold kimonos, tunic dresses, and wrap skirts in new prints.  And my handmade toys.  Fun!

If there's one takeaway from my trip to Cebu, it's that to trust in the magic of beginnings.  It may be scary and risky, but it's also worth it.  Plus, it gives you the motivation to keep moving forward and permit the magic to take you to further heights.

Cheers to new beginnings!

The One About the Felt Cookie Set

Yes, there's a new felt food set!  And I must say that it's painstakingly adorable!  Just thinking about the enormous amount of attention to detail that I have put in the project and sewing through all those nooks and crannies ups the preciousness factor of the set!

It's definitely a little girl's dream baking set.  Here's a closer look at all the handcrafted cookies...

Chocolate chip cookies

Iced sugar cookies with sprinkles

Peanut butter cookies

Dark chocolate cookies with white chips

Gingerbread cookies

And for good measure, here's a closeup of the incredible details. :)

I made two of each cookie so any little girl can share them with a friend...or a stuffed rabbit during make-believe tea time.

Happy crafting!

The One About the Felt Sandwich

“Man does not live by bread alone…”

 He also needs a delicious panoply of sandwich implements…

A slice of Swiss cheese

A thriving leaf of lettuce

Juicy slices of a bright red tomato

And a savory serving of bologna (or ham or bacon or cold cuts…)

Happy crafting!

Weekend Tidbits

I always find that my weekends are busier than my weekdays.  In between grocery shopping, house cleaning, other household chores, and social commitments which crop up every now and then, finding pockets of time to do things I like is somewhat akin to finding a pin in a haystack.  Fortunately, there are ways to work around the hustle and bustle of weekend commitments.  Other times when finding ways seems next to impossible, it's a matter of praying for blissful and satisfying moments.

On Saturdays, when our tiny home is still and peaceful and dark, I wake up and sew and sew and sew until dawn greets me.  It took several Saturdays but I finally finished these...

They're felt bread slices!  It's 3D so there's stuffing inside and I scaled it to the size of real slices of bread!  Now I'm onto thinking what will be in between the slices.  Peanut butter and jelly?  BLT?  :)

Last weekend, Hon-some and I mostly stayed in.  And staying in meant cooking up a storm in the kitchen.  We had a leisurely lunch of pizza subs and minestrone.  And while I forgot to take pictures, I also whipped up chili cheese fries and pasta. 

To cap off the weekend, I turned to my unread pile of books.  What can be more luxurious than sitting on a couch, a book in one hand, and a cup of tea in the other?  I just finished the first book and I'm now reading Hollow City.  The book is just oh-kay (but then again, I'm no longer 16) but I do understand why it's been picked up to be made into a movie.  That should be interesting.

The weekend that was.  Uneventful, perhaps, but nonetheless relaxing and quite productive.  After all, aren't weekends meant for unwinding, putting up one's feet to de-stress, and slowing down?  :)

Weekend Tidbits: Crafty Tidbits

Crafty Tidbit 1:  My good friend Ginger gifted me with a sewing box last New Year.  I'm in love with the vintage print!  I have just resumed making felt food with Miss Gertie (my sewing machine) and the box now houses all my felt food projects.  Now if only I can have the book version of the box!

Sorry for the dim lighting!

Crafty Tidbit 2:  After what seemed like forever, I finally picked up my knitting needles again last weekend and rediscovered the joy of knitting.  I don't particularly enjoy watching television but when I do, knitting is the perfect choice of craft because it's actually possible to enjoy maneuvering the needles and yarn while watching the boob tube.

Crafty Tidbit 3:  It's not really a craft magazine but I finally got my hands on a Darling magazine!  I have been lusting over this magazine for a long time now.  I am hoping it will give me a rush of inspiration the way Anthology does.  So far, I cannot put this darling down.

It's a new week, lovelies.  Make something beautiful. :)

The One About the Breakfast Felt Food Set

When the love for sewing and crafts presented itself to me, I knew it was a matter of time when I would start making felt food.  I'm glad I finally did!  I had fun making these especially since they're breakfast food -- breakfast being my favorite meal of the day!

 Each piece was painstakingly hand-sewn.

I'm resting my fingers right now from handsewing but soon enough, I want to make some more!  Felt food is a very good alternative from those plastic toy food being sold in toy stores.  If I were a mom, I wouldn't have to worry about harmful chemicals in toys and my kid hurling hard plastic at other people.  I can always tell him/her, "Anak, pag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng felt food!"

Okay, kidding. :)  Happy crafting, nonetheless!

The One When the TV Isn't Turned On

This is why I am learning not to like watching TV...

My reading pile becomes smaller...

 I try to learn new things...

(they turned out moist but I still can't get the frosting right!)

 I make crafts that make me hungry...

And I get to sharpen my fine motor skills!

Detailed posts on each picture soon!  Do some crafting this week! :)