Did it, tried it, got the t-shirt...

Two years. It took me two years to realise what I've been looking for I had it all along! Go figure.

I have to thank the experience I had in the two years. I learned how to apply my face, make up was a mystery until one day I had to learn instantly, I can cat eyes now. Woohoo!

I learned how to stand up in a crowd, presentation, that whole voice projection thing. Tens and hundreds up front, and I don't need that 'picture them naked' kind of thing like people always tell you when faced with a crowd.

Travelling was fun up to a point. Then it was all moving through the motions. Learned how to pack, moving around with a trolley bag with wheels is a definite plus. Useful to have a foldable spare bag in the suitcase cos you never know. And cable ties.

And when traveling to new places, I learned where to get sim cards for phones. Thats a bonus.

I saw and experienced flash. Flash cars. Flash places. Flash people. Success equates flash items. Nothing I would have had the opportunity to meet. It was fun while it lasted. Anybody interested in a Gucci bag? I don't need it anymore. It does not bring joy.

And lots more stuff I did, and done, and bought. Some great, others not so proud, remembering back the experiences.

I started that journey, thinking, yeah, I could do with more time to do what I always like. Being creative. Make stuff. Yet, the longer I was in it, the futher away I was getting to what I hoped for. I was always tired and drained. There was no down time. It was literally time is money. If you're not always constantly switched on you're going to lose out. Everything was 'an exchange'. Exchanging time for this with that, its ok, you'll get all the time in the world after that. And you believe it, as thats the only thing you can hope for to happen.

It was a lot of giving. Giving yourself, your time, your effort. But what I wasn't giving was to what really matters. I didn't have time for the family, the house, for myself. I was fortunate my husband was pretty understanding and supportive. It was something I had to do. Just hid the fact I wasn't happy doing it, 'things will get better'.

The system worked. Ideally. I could be too emotional, lack of focus and belief in self, fighting against inherent nature. Probably. Its chasing a dream, a desire. I did or did not have.

I became depressed. I just stopped 'believing'. I avoided. I wasn't sure what I was thinking, but instinctively I was avoiding. Removing self from all that. Self doubt even bigger.

Cheesecake. Hello friend. Can't say you were great for me. Thanks for being there at least while I pull myself together.

Took me months of depression, half a year almost to fully realise, I already got what I was looking for. That awareness just hit me. Oh my god, what I thought I needed I already had!

Its been a fun ride, but its not for me. Like Douglas Adams have said, so long and thanks for the fish. I wish all those who are still on that journey, all the best, may you find what you're looking for.

Dust... dust... dust...

Hello out there....

Just dropping in for a quick bit, I have turned down quite a few jobs, because I just cannot commit the time for them. And I've been slowly donating crafty items to my daughter's kindergarten class, I figured the children will put them to good use at least.

Then someone asked me if I could... well, I never said yes. I didn't say no either. And they weren't too fazed with my pricing (It doesn't matter if you got the materials for me or not, you're still paying for my time, thank you for understanding) and since they have already placed their hopes in me making it, plus I think I better dust myself off as well. So it's an ok, will make it.

Colour themed as above, country garden here we come!

Going to be away for a while...

Something that seems to be a promise... well, it looks promising... Decided to give it a go... Never know right, might be what I'm looking for? I don't know. The least I could do is try. Wishing myself all the best. I hope it leads me to something better...  What I've been looking for... *fingers crossed*

Buku Hantaran: Blue & Gold

The two folders showing the outer and inner of the folders

I received an email requesting for two folders, A5, royal blue and gold, personalized, maybe a bit of flowers, and if there are any blings only to 'lift' the look. Also a specific  request to have either a circular or oval window, whichever one is easiest she said.

I will tell you now I avoid using any other shapes that does not have straight lines for when it comes to windows because it takes ages to cut! But because she specifically requested for a circular shape I had to do it. A circle is way easier to cut than an oval, so circle it is.

I wasn't sure if I got the right shade of royal blue but it worked with the gold. I also had to figure out how to dress up the circular centre without it looking like a port hole or a large coin.

Close up of the personaliszed name plate

Also I used two different types of materials to give more depth with the gold. And strategically placing the crystal gems lifted up the overall look.

The personalized names I used Adobe Illustrator to help me out, as my attempt in hot stamping gold didn't work out so well. I think I might just use Illustrator for future personalized work now as I can have a wider variety in type face.

The client was very happy when she saw the finished folders and said, "It looks just like how I imagined it to be!" Phew, very happy to hear her say that.

Overall, it's slightly different to how I normally design these folders, but my work is always evolving and this is one of them.

For more photos of the folders click here.

Buku Hantaran: Red & White

Apologies for the quality of the pictures first of all, I was trying out a new location and there was just not enough light despite being right next to the windows, and by the time I decided to try else the camera battery went flat and I had to meet the client.

A simple red and white folder

This was a last minute order, I think I only had a few days to do this. The client was fortunate I was very free that week. I actually turned her down at first, when she said I can do the design any way how I decided alright I'll do it. She just wanted a red and white colour scheme.

The other reason why I turned down initially was because she wanted it personalised. I told her I can do the folder but not the name, what I can do is create the space where the personalised names can be included and she said yes to it.

The red interior contrasting against the white exterior

What I love about this folder is the simplicity and the brightness of the colours. I love how when you open up the folder you get hit with this striking red. You know, it had been a while when I made this folder I can't remember where I got the red I used to line the interior.

Interesting story, when I met the client, she was heavily pregnant, it wasn't until she explained that the folder was for her brother's engagement. She had been a fan and been waiting for a time when she could place an order as she said she only discovered me after she got married. I told her she was lucky I was willing to take the job because of the very short notice. She was nice and sweet, chatted a bit more and turned out she used to work with my sisters before she decided to retire.

I was very pleased with this folder, only difficulty I had was making sure the white stayed white! Apart from that, love it.

On Vacation

ON VACATION

For any inquiries you may call, text or email. 

Contact details on the left column.

Have a nice day!

Mas Kahwin: Maharani, Gold & Purple

Love how the gems catches the light

When I was asked to do a Maharani themed folder for a mas kahwin (dowery), I was not sure where to begin.  Google search didn't produce anything much and my other concern was do I make the folder specific to the amount it will contain, ie follow the size of the money.

360 individual blings, yes, I counted.

Fortunately the client was able to provide images that inspired her to choose the theme when I asked, just so I know what it was that attracted her to choose the theme and that I'm on the same page. What I saw was glitter, gold, opulent and paisley.

Oh no... 'Oh no' in the sense, 'Oh my god! I have to recreate that!' And I couldn't resist a challenge. At the same time I had to work on two other engagement folders as all three were due more or less around the same time.

I was lucky. I had this gorgeous glitter design paper and fortunately it had paisley as part of its patterns which I made sure I took the area that had them.

Normally I would make a folder from the inside out. But in this case after I had covered the front, I immediately worked on laying out the gems in various sizes and shapes to determined their placement to give me that maharani look. And when I was happy I started gluing them down. 

All 360 individual pieces.

One. By. One.

And this is working on an area that is slightly bigger than an A5. 16cm by 22cm to be exact. I was so glad the folder wasn't any bigger as this size alone took me several days just to glue down the gems.

It was one of those, 'I'm not doing this again' moment.

Strangely after I was done, I kind of missed it. Go figure.

Purple ribbon detail on gold tassel

I then realised why I left the interior last, my subconscious mind was already planning ahead without me realising, the tassels.

Had to debate whether to just use the purple tassels only for the door or do I also use the gold tassels. After putting the purple tassels in place, the folder was looking a bit 'bald' in a way, and gold tassels were put in. I used gold and purple ribbon to add interest to the tassels and to tie the gold and purple theme together.

Unfortunately, this was the only shot I had that showed the interior...

For the interior I used a royal purple satin with gold ribbons corners. Lovely contrast when the folder was half opened.

The client was suitably amazed when the folder was presented to her and she went home happy. I have no idea how the folder was used, I measured using the largest denomination note we have, lots of space surrounding it, and I wondered how they managed to fix the money in.

I kind of missed this folder, but it's ok. It was a nice end to the year as it was the last order for 2011. Let's see what sort of new challenges I'll be facing for this year... I wonder whether I should be saying that... It's like asking for it...

Happy New Year 2012!