30.11.07
26.11.07
Small Things
I love doing small things.
Some may be hard to finish but I like finishing small projects. One can easily find the result if it works well or not and you can even do it for a short period of time, but this doesn't apply to everything small, you know.
Well, it applies to crocheting and I am loving it. I have three big WIP projects and working on it according to my mood isn't really helping. But doing something small according to my mood will definitely result into a finished object.
Here you see a coaster I finished last month. It's a four inch square coaster using two strands of cotton thread held together in two shades, natural and chocolate brown. I just the color combination! The reason why I didn't make it a set because of the fact that the house I am currently in doesn't use coasters. Weird but true. So this particular coaster will be kept for referential purposes once I already have a home that would implement using coasters because a dreamer such as myself is aiming for a glass dining table, unless, of course, my money could afford a high quality dark wood, regardless of what kind of dining table I acquire, I will still make use of my very own coasters (and probably almost anything that I can make for my home.)
Next is my very first snowflake! Yeah, yeah, ours is a tropical country and snowflakes are non existent here but to hell with it. I want to at least experience making one. And snowflakes are simply amazing. But I still need to work on my blocking and I have to properly do it this time.
And I'd like to apologize to Mimi because I have been so out of myself lately, wasn't able to contact you in one of the most special day in your life.
Happy Birthday Mimi!
Some may be hard to finish but I like finishing small projects. One can easily find the result if it works well or not and you can even do it for a short period of time, but this doesn't apply to everything small, you know.
Well, it applies to crocheting and I am loving it. I have three big WIP projects and working on it according to my mood isn't really helping. But doing something small according to my mood will definitely result into a finished object.
Here you see a coaster I finished last month. It's a four inch square coaster using two strands of cotton thread held together in two shades, natural and chocolate brown. I just the color combination! The reason why I didn't make it a set because of the fact that the house I am currently in doesn't use coasters. Weird but true. So this particular coaster will be kept for referential purposes once I already have a home that would implement using coasters because a dreamer such as myself is aiming for a glass dining table, unless, of course, my money could afford a high quality dark wood, regardless of what kind of dining table I acquire, I will still make use of my very own coasters (and probably almost anything that I can make for my home.)Next is my very first snowflake! Yeah, yeah, ours is a tropical country and snowflakes are non existent here but to hell with it. I want to at least experience making one. And snowflakes are simply amazing. But I still need to work on my blocking and I have to properly do it this time.
And I'd like to apologize to Mimi because I have been so out of myself lately, wasn't able to contact you in one of the most special day in your life.
Happy Birthday Mimi!
23.11.07
Coffee & Music
Kris, RJ and I went to Urbandub's album launch in Eastwood City. Hearing their music live was awesome. I love going into their gigs and the crowd were amazing, singing loudly to every song they play. If you want to sample their music, visit their profile in http://www.myspace.com/urbandub and it's definitely worth it.
We also went to Starbucks for our dose of caffeine. White Chocolate Mocha + cold weather is love. And I can't help but fill my lungs with the smell of roasted beans. Everytime I visit coffee shops I feel like I'm in heaven. Plus I didn't use any paper cozy because it's really cold and a warm cup of coffee is just perfect.
Did you notice that I used my Japanese name in the coffee cup?
We also went to Starbucks for our dose of caffeine. White Chocolate Mocha + cold weather is love. And I can't help but fill my lungs with the smell of roasted beans. Everytime I visit coffee shops I feel like I'm in heaven. Plus I didn't use any paper cozy because it's really cold and a warm cup of coffee is just perfect.
Did you notice that I used my Japanese name in the coffee cup?
Gene = Gin = silver
Mails & Zines
It's been so long ne.
Went to my father's place as usual and spent some time with my nephew and dad and also got some time to read some of my books again. It's nice to go there and two weeks worth of mails are there waiting for me. I don't know why but I feel jealous that my uncle (who lives next door) accepted my mail for me instead of me. You see I love receiving mails, especially everytime our postman would shout our last name and I would rush to the gate and found him gone but a letter sticking out of the mail box. It's always like that then. He's like a Santa to me, anxiously waiting for his arrival for my deliveries. Though I seldom see his face now, and wasn't really able to talk to him personally, I really really appreciate the kind of work that he has done for us. If only I could find a way to at least give him a thank you gift personally. My mom used to do that for them (postman, collectors and other delivery men) and usually miss them and the gifts would be given away to someone else because it's been weeks or even months that we can't get in touch with them.
I finally made something new. These two sets (two photos above) are zines I made for a swap and so darn proud of it for a first timer. Look, they're even hand bound! Next time, I'll make something with different kinds of papers and of a more complicated bookbinding.
And these two photos below are some of the stuff I received from a swap. New addition to my embroidery flosses as if telling me to make something that I should have been doing, haha! I am only good at planning things in my head but I never really really had the chance to follow the things that I plan.
I prefer the freedom of spontaneity. I do things depending on my mood. And during these times, where it's cold and always raining, I feel somehow dejected. It started in college, I always feel this way, and it's happening again, every year, always the same season, always the same feeling. My body clock totally shifted and I can't sleep at night. I can stay awake for the whole 48 hours and still haven't done anything productive.
It's been seven years now and nothing really changes.
Went to my father's place as usual and spent some time with my nephew and dad and also got some time to read some of my books again. It's nice to go there and two weeks worth of mails are there waiting for me. I don't know why but I feel jealous that my uncle (who lives next door) accepted my mail for me instead of me. You see I love receiving mails, especially everytime our postman would shout our last name and I would rush to the gate and found him gone but a letter sticking out of the mail box. It's always like that then. He's like a Santa to me, anxiously waiting for his arrival for my deliveries. Though I seldom see his face now, and wasn't really able to talk to him personally, I really really appreciate the kind of work that he has done for us. If only I could find a way to at least give him a thank you gift personally. My mom used to do that for them (postman, collectors and other delivery men) and usually miss them and the gifts would be given away to someone else because it's been weeks or even months that we can't get in touch with them.
I finally made something new. These two sets (two photos above) are zines I made for a swap and so darn proud of it for a first timer. Look, they're even hand bound! Next time, I'll make something with different kinds of papers and of a more complicated bookbinding.
And these two photos below are some of the stuff I received from a swap. New addition to my embroidery flosses as if telling me to make something that I should have been doing, haha! I am only good at planning things in my head but I never really really had the chance to follow the things that I plan.I prefer the freedom of spontaneity. I do things depending on my mood. And during these times, where it's cold and always raining, I feel somehow dejected. It started in college, I always feel this way, and it's happening again, every year, always the same season, always the same feeling. My body clock totally shifted and I can't sleep at night. I can stay awake for the whole 48 hours and still haven't done anything productive.
It's been seven years now and nothing really changes.
15.11.07
Meme Tag
Angela (Riohnna) tagged me with this meme and it's cold and rainy today so I am so lazy to do anything else so here it goes...
38 things about me that you may or may not want to know.
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
My boyfriend, Kris.
.2. What were you doing at 0800?
I slept around 0300 so I'm still sleeping that time
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Eating noodles.
4. What happened to you in 2006?
Spent a lot of money over food.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
Arigatou (thank you) to RJ for bringing in the noodles
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Just one, coffee.
7. What color is your hairbrush?
I don't have one, that must be the reason why my hair is dry, haha!
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Inspection fee in the Post Office.
9. Where were you last night?
crocheting in bed
.10. What color is your front door?
Brown
11. Where do you keep your change?
In a round leather pouch with a red star
12. What’s the weather like today?
Rainy and cold, i love it!
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Coffee Crumble, Choco Brownie Fudge, Vanilla
14. What excites you?
Mail day and payday, haha!
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Everytime I woke up because it's so long and gets tangled all the time.
16. Are you over the age of 25?
Nope, I'll be next year, oh no!
17. Do you talk a lot?
It depends on the people I'm with, I don't really talk to strangers.
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
Nope.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
No.
20. Do you make up your own words?
yup, my favorite is gorgonic, from the word gorgon, haha! I am so mean.
21. Are you a jealous person?
Yes I am.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "A".
Ada (Happy birthday dear!)
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Kathy (I miss you Pusa! [pusa is cat in Filipino])
Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Ada
25. What does the last text message you received say?
It's a forwarded message and I deleted it, bad Gene!
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Eh? I guess not.
27. Do you have curly hair?
Nope, I have straight hair but it looks wavy because I always tie it in a bun but a conditioner can make it back again and it has a life of it's own and very prone to static. :D
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Post office.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Someone long forgotten, haha!
30. What was the last thing you ate?
instant noodles.
31. Will you get married in the future?
hopefully next year
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Stardust, the only movie I've seen and I like it.
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
My boyfriend.
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Months ago.
35. Are you currently depressed?
not really.
36. Did you cry today?
Nope.
37. Why did you answer and post this?
because it's cold and I'm lazy
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
Aby, Jana, Jinky, Mimi, Ria
38 things about me that you may or may not want to know.
1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
My boyfriend, Kris.
.2. What were you doing at 0800?
I slept around 0300 so I'm still sleeping that time
3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Eating noodles.
4. What happened to you in 2006?
Spent a lot of money over food.
5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
Arigatou (thank you) to RJ for bringing in the noodles
6. How many beverages did you have today?
Just one, coffee.
7. What color is your hairbrush?
I don't have one, that must be the reason why my hair is dry, haha!
8. What was the last thing you paid for?
Inspection fee in the Post Office.
9. Where were you last night?
crocheting in bed
.10. What color is your front door?
Brown
11. Where do you keep your change?
In a round leather pouch with a red star
12. What’s the weather like today?
Rainy and cold, i love it!
13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Coffee Crumble, Choco Brownie Fudge, Vanilla
14. What excites you?
Mail day and payday, haha!
15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Everytime I woke up because it's so long and gets tangled all the time.
16. Are you over the age of 25?
Nope, I'll be next year, oh no!
17. Do you talk a lot?
It depends on the people I'm with, I don't really talk to strangers.
18. Do you watch the O.C.?
Nope.
19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
No.
20. Do you make up your own words?
yup, my favorite is gorgonic, from the word gorgon, haha! I am so mean.
21. Are you a jealous person?
Yes I am.
22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter "A".
Ada (Happy birthday dear!)
23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Kathy (I miss you Pusa! [pusa is cat in Filipino])
Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Ada
25. What does the last text message you received say?
It's a forwarded message and I deleted it, bad Gene!
26. Do you chew on your straw?
Eh? I guess not.
27. Do you have curly hair?
Nope, I have straight hair but it looks wavy because I always tie it in a bun but a conditioner can make it back again and it has a life of it's own and very prone to static. :D
28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Post office.
29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Someone long forgotten, haha!
30. What was the last thing you ate?
instant noodles.
31. Will you get married in the future?
hopefully next year
32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Stardust, the only movie I've seen and I like it.
33. Is there anyone you like right now?
My boyfriend.
34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Months ago.
35. Are you currently depressed?
not really.
36. Did you cry today?
Nope.
37. Why did you answer and post this?
because it's cold and I'm lazy
38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.
Aby, Jana, Jinky, Mimi, Ria
Progress Bar
Progress bar is a huge hit to craft lovers. This way crafters can monitor their projects. I saw this thread in Crochetville that talks about where to find percentage bars. There are so many other link to choose from but for me this is the best site to get your progress bars.
Brought to us by one of the the 'Ville's coordinator yarntomato, you can generate which ever percentage you prefer and you can match it to the color of you site. As for me, I downloaded the 23 premade buttons then uploaded it to my own image host then viola! You can see the results in the right hand column.
Brought to us by one of the the 'Ville's coordinator yarntomato, you can generate which ever percentage you prefer and you can match it to the color of you site. As for me, I downloaded the 23 premade buttons then uploaded it to my own image host then viola! You can see the results in the right hand column.
*Click the % Bar Maker button for the link.
14.11.07
Buy Handmade Pledge
Holiday is fast zooming in and I haven't decided which gifts to give yet. Since I'm a newbie crafter, I'd like to make as much as many handmade items as I could. Plus anything handmade gives much more warmth for this season. I have so many things I want to try but gifts are mainly crocheted items because that's where I think I do much better. I also bought some materials for handmade Christmas cards. And seeing wonderful fabrics is not helping at all because I am just plain jealous that I just can't hold of them now that I am on an extremely tight budget.
Well, for you folks out there that have so many things going on in their head and still don't know what to give, here's an information overload for you.
Sew, Mama, Sew! has a great way of making use of your unused sewing machines, fabrics scraps and soon to be bought fabrics, not to mention their fair share of wonderful fabrics. They have lists of handmade tutorials that any crafter would want to do as well and any gift receiver would want to have. May it be bookmarks to coasters and even aprons. There are lots of items to choose from, or why not go ahead and make one each day.
As for me, I am making a handmade pledge. It's a great way to discover items made with love by wonderful and talented crafters. If I can't make one then let me go ahead and buy something handmade by others. I encourage you to do this as well.
Well, for you folks out there that have so many things going on in their head and still don't know what to give, here's an information overload for you.Sew, Mama, Sew! has a great way of making use of your unused sewing machines, fabrics scraps and soon to be bought fabrics, not to mention their fair share of wonderful fabrics. They have lists of handmade tutorials that any crafter would want to do as well and any gift receiver would want to have. May it be bookmarks to coasters and even aprons. There are lots of items to choose from, or why not go ahead and make one each day.
As for me, I am making a handmade pledge. It's a great way to discover items made with love by wonderful and talented crafters. If I can't make one then let me go ahead and buy something handmade by others. I encourage you to do this as well.
12.11.07
Crocheted Scarves
This is the scarf I received from Betty (sewcrazy of Swap-bot). It's a crocheted scarf made of Christmas inspired colors and it is so warm to wear and it matches perfectly with my today's outfit [just don't mind the eye bags.]If only we have a variety of yarns like this here, I would have made loads of scarf to give away to my sister's family in Canada where the weather is extremely cold. Well it's getting colder here in the tropical island Philippines and a nice scarf would be really helpful. It's so nice to have a soft scarf to rub against your neck that will keep you warm while having a walk in a park. This is also the first crocheted item I received. Though I am making one for myself, a crocheted scarf made just for you has an added warmth to the heart thus making it more useful. And I read somewhere that giving someone a scarf is like sending that person your hug, I must say that Betty's hug is really warm.
Thank you so much Betty for the scarf!
I also mentioned in my previous post that I am making Kris a scarf. I also mentioned that I'll post an FO but this girl just couldn't help but show everyone how yummy the scarf I am making for him. This is a pattern I saw in Ravelry but is also available in CrochetMe. It's really easy to make but the design is really good.I used two balls of Cannon Cotton Threads held together since a decent yarn for a scarf is really hard to find here and as Mimi told me when I was just starting to crochet, to use any materials that I have handy. I am doing that just now and will make sure that this will be my very first big project to finish and it is made of something that is only available here. Just thinking about it makes me so proud of my work. It may be of the same pattern that other used but nobody can make it with the same texture that I did, well unless you live in the Philippines and have this particular shade of cotton thread right in your stash, haha!
Sooo Lucky
I am indeed such a lucky gal. I used to post here and bother everyone else about how my mails were late and all that stuff. Well, just this afternoon, I went to the PO to pick up a parcel, from whom I do not know yet. I wasn't really expecting a huge package but I was shock to see that the Parcel Staff went out with a package as big as a shoe box! Whoa! You just can't imagine my shock! I was grinning as soon as the PO personnel handed over the package and I signing the record book until on our way home. Nothing can piss me off and I feel so happy.
[The photo we took as soon as we got out of the post office]
[7 Days of (Small) Surprises from Betty (sewcrazy of Swap-bot)]I am so loving Betty right now! I was so giddy and excited that I received a surprise package. I was actually expecting a bag from Canada but this totally blew me away. It was indeed a surprise and Kris can't help but get carried away. He even took photos of me while opening the package but I am so not gonna post it here, hahaha!
Kris even asked me if I prefer small but many items instead of one big thing. He's pretty grand when giving gifts to me, he likes to call it "one time, big time gift" while I prefer giving him small things on regular days. I am an impulsive buyer after all so I always go home with a shopping bag for him, usually shirts and things he could use, or a wallet which I recently bought for him while shopping for a gift for someone else, haha! While he actually gave me an MP3 player which is actually worth thousands of pesos and I find it enough for me that will last for a couple of years of gifts. And believe it or not, I am actually selfish when it comes to items that are given to me so nobody actually got the chance to use my player other than myself and Kris. Some people find it too much but that's how I value things that are given to me. I am pretty sentimental, you know.
And come to think of it, I actually received good vibes with the Marikina PO personnels, who were actually infamous when it comes to paying Custom tariffs, well I only got to talk to two of them. But I would still prefer the PO in Cubao because most of the personnel are so helpful. And we also tried looking for the mailman in our area but all we could find was his motorcycle. I will still pursue with the lockbox in Cubao PO though.
9.11.07
Chocolates & Cream
Traditionally, it should be coffee and cream. It's the Yin and Yang beverage for me but today is different because it's been ages since I last had cow's milk. It started last year that I've been trying so hard to let go of my carnivorous side and go vegan but I was such a failure. Though, I did give up drinking cow's milk since last year and having it substituted with soy milk which is by the way so addicting, I still can't let go of the taste of meat and chicken. I have made my efforts of preferring seafoods and tuna sandwiches but I just can't let go of the things I am used to for the past 23 years of my life.
And whose fault it is that I have to go back to drinking milk in this cold weather?
I blame it to the lucky bastard who won a bag of Hershey's Chocolates during the time of my sickness and all I am left with bars of Special Dark Chocolates. The lucky bastard is the person I love to cuddle in the middle of night. Of course, the other members of his family took away all the sweet stuff which I don't mind at all. It is just recently that I learned to appreciate dark chocolates, I think it's due to hormonal changes that I underwent a couple of months ago which made me hate anything sweet.
But who could afford to resist eating dark chocolates and warm unsweetened milk on a cold weather? Definitely not me. I just love the taste of bitter choco and warm milk melting the chocolate in my mouth and washing down the sweetness. It's just heaven!
I still have one bar left, guess I'll reserve it for my lucky beau.
Speaking of Yin & Yang, I now have 10% of Kris' (the lucky bastard) scarf in chocolate and I'll make a scarf of the same design in cream for myself as well. I know I should be doing something else (sorry Mimi!) but Kris keeps on bugging me and pouting like a kid because I haven't made something for him yet.
I'll post an update on the scarves as soon as I finish them both.
And whose fault it is that I have to go back to drinking milk in this cold weather?
I blame it to the lucky bastard who won a bag of Hershey's Chocolates during the time of my sickness and all I am left with bars of Special Dark Chocolates. The lucky bastard is the person I love to cuddle in the middle of night. Of course, the other members of his family took away all the sweet stuff which I don't mind at all. It is just recently that I learned to appreciate dark chocolates, I think it's due to hormonal changes that I underwent a couple of months ago which made me hate anything sweet.
But who could afford to resist eating dark chocolates and warm unsweetened milk on a cold weather? Definitely not me. I just love the taste of bitter choco and warm milk melting the chocolate in my mouth and washing down the sweetness. It's just heaven!
I still have one bar left, guess I'll reserve it for my lucky beau.
Speaking of Yin & Yang, I now have 10% of Kris' (the lucky bastard) scarf in chocolate and I'll make a scarf of the same design in cream for myself as well. I know I should be doing something else (sorry Mimi!) but Kris keeps on bugging me and pouting like a kid because I haven't made something for him yet.
I'll post an update on the scarves as soon as I finish them both.
8.11.07
Mail Week
I just love the two weeks that passed. We had a long holiday so I went over to my father's place for three days and two nights. My sister and her impudent son who calls me by my first name is there as well so we slept together in one bed like we used to. Well my nephew is so hard-headed that he won't call me Tita (Aunt) and my dad Lolo (Grandfather) which is to be expected because he only calls her mother Mama if he needs something, what a brat!
Anyway, I never thought that going to Divisoria on the Day of the Dead would be troublesome. Most of the stores are close so the goal of finding great bargains is next to nil but I was able to buy some stuff that can be useful for future projects. And as soon as I returned home, my sister SMSed me the next day saying that I have mail from US, yay! I am so proud of the Post Office in Manila!
And just today, I received two mails and a parcel notice. I wonder what's in the parcel. I'm getting more and more excited but I still need to wait for next week to go to the post office in Marikina.
Would you believe that the PO in Marikina received it Oct 25th and I received it just now? What happened to the 10 business days in between? Really, this incident annoys me.
I already made arrangements with the Post Office in the other district for a lock box. Based on experience, the folks there are pleasant, helpful and are really accommodating. Hopefully an incident like this in this city's PO won't happen again in Cubao.
In other news, the photo on the left are the calendars I sent to two lucky partners. I really like the wall calendar because 1) it's made of recycled paper 2) it features monthly motivational ideas 3) the last part that says Official Bad Habit Trash Bin. This I think is really helpful. Personally, instead on bashing into everyone else, I tend to write my feelings and just let go of what I feel. I feel better afterwards. Well, putting those bad thoughts in this particular area would be really helpful. Imagine how many bad habits can you collect in a year? A small envelop may not be enough but still helpful, don't you think?
In crochet news, I started a new scarf while I was in seclusion in my father's place. I'm in 50% of my shell scarf but I'm out of cotton thread so I'm making a new one in different color. And my beau is really demanding that I make one for him already. It's really nice to have someone appreciate the things that you do. I need to drag myself away from the computer and start on that scarf of his. But can I just say that I am totally drooling to the things I see in Ravelry. I want to have all those soft lovely yarns and pile them all up in bed and still have enough yarn to make every wonderful project! Why is that so hard to achieve?! Yarn Fairy, please save me!
Anyway, I never thought that going to Divisoria on the Day of the Dead would be troublesome. Most of the stores are close so the goal of finding great bargains is next to nil but I was able to buy some stuff that can be useful for future projects. And as soon as I returned home, my sister SMSed me the next day saying that I have mail from US, yay! I am so proud of the Post Office in Manila!
And just today, I received two mails and a parcel notice. I wonder what's in the parcel. I'm getting more and more excited but I still need to wait for next week to go to the post office in Marikina.Would you believe that the PO in Marikina received it Oct 25th and I received it just now? What happened to the 10 business days in between? Really, this incident annoys me.
I already made arrangements with the Post Office in the other district for a lock box. Based on experience, the folks there are pleasant, helpful and are really accommodating. Hopefully an incident like this in this city's PO won't happen again in Cubao.
In other news, the photo on the left are the calendars I sent to two lucky partners. I really like the wall calendar because 1) it's made of recycled paper 2) it features monthly motivational ideas 3) the last part that says Official Bad Habit Trash Bin. This I think is really helpful. Personally, instead on bashing into everyone else, I tend to write my feelings and just let go of what I feel. I feel better afterwards. Well, putting those bad thoughts in this particular area would be really helpful. Imagine how many bad habits can you collect in a year? A small envelop may not be enough but still helpful, don't you think?
In crochet news, I started a new scarf while I was in seclusion in my father's place. I'm in 50% of my shell scarf but I'm out of cotton thread so I'm making a new one in different color. And my beau is really demanding that I make one for him already. It's really nice to have someone appreciate the things that you do. I need to drag myself away from the computer and start on that scarf of his. But can I just say that I am totally drooling to the things I see in Ravelry. I want to have all those soft lovely yarns and pile them all up in bed and still have enough yarn to make every wonderful project! Why is that so hard to achieve?! Yarn Fairy, please save me!
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