Rub a Dub Ducky

Like Ernie of Sesame Street, I do have a thing or two about rubber duckies. They utterly cute and happen to bear one of my favorite color, yellow!! And they squeak! I don't own a bath tub now and I certainly miss  taking a bath with those guys.

thank you Amesh for taking a picture of babalisme printables with your favor goodies!!

If you're a fan of the duck like me, check out a rubber ducky theme party hosted by Dreamesh for her son's 3rd birthday! It's a splash and get wet outdoor party, good thing to be Indonesians is you can host a summer-y party at any time of the year, and everyone seems to have a splashing good time!

Happy birthday, Yuara, and congratulations, *cough* an expecting mother, Amesh for throwing out such a great day! Yuara, enjoy your last moments of having your mom and dad solely for you. *evil laugh* just kidding. I know you'll be a good brother, Yuara. 

On the side note, the winner for kyandkin giveaway is allwiredup! Congrats, Dee! 

Winner!

Hello, folks, did you miss me? I think this year is my busiest to date, I have been on blog absents for most of the time, I'm so sorry! Not to worry, today's about good news only.

*fanfare*

I'm going to announce the winner of Cloud Street Lab giveaway! Thank you for all of you who came to participate and join the fun. If you don't win this time, you still have the chance to enter my other giveaway with goodies from kyandkin. Don't forget to increase your chances with additional entries! Soooo, about the winner..

*drumroll*

It's number 29, Jill Hogan, 14, Snowfairy, 23, Kimberly, 44, Kartika ,49, Elizabeth  ! You will be contacted soon by Cloud Street Lab to redeem your prize.

And for you, my lovely readers, there are lots and lots of Christmas ideas right here, so stay tune, everyone. Also, babalisme will be participating in Christmas Wonderful event at designdazzle ; 100+ craft ideas and 30+ blogs from all around the world pitching in for a wonderful, crafty, and even edible Christmas projects. Don't you dare miss it!

(un) Spooky Night

Halloween is approaching! yaaaay! I'm going as Tintin this year, and Baby G as Snowy, Tintin's dog. My husband is not dressing up, but I secretly wish he would be my Captain Haddock. 

Today's post is about Halloween decorating though. Lots of my reader been asking on how to celebrate Halloween in not too scary nor too kiddy atmosphere. Indi, here, would like to decorate her parent's house, and as fellow Indonesian, I'd really, really know how conservative  things get around here. A friendly smiling skeleton would be considered outrageous. So here are some tips for you if you wish to celebrate Halloween, without the ghouls and witches.

Mandatory rules : no spooky creatures and/or animals, fictional or not. If you thirst for blood and gore, ignore this post.

Think of a not too scary theme, obviously. Think : Harry Potter potion class, not Saw nor Frankenstein. This arrangement by Martha Stewart is a perfect example. You get the mood of curious glass specimens, but not too hair raising as in a siamese twin fetus jar.

Going for classic literature this year? Think subtle gothic theme, like Poe's Raven instead of Stoker's Dracula. I found BrooklynLimestone's Raven themed dinner party decor is breathtaking but none bone chilling. Visit them for DIY dinner ware! See? No blood in sight!

Think outside of the box, in this case, pumpkins. Give your orange buddy a rest and arrange some flowers instead. Before you say that I am talking about the wrong holiday, take a look at this very fine example by OneCharmingParty. Pick your flower in a Halloween color scheme. For a grown up party, take white or purple ones or neutrals like grayish green.  If you want to bring out some oranges without the pumpkin, pick an orange or yellowish colored blooms. Decorate with monochrome vases. Tin can such as the pic works well, but I think vintage-y gothic vases work well too. Be sure to contrast the pairing; black or dark flower go with opaque white vases, white flower, black vases. Don't mix white flowers with glass jars or white vase or it'll scream "I do" instead of "boo". 

If you must, MUST, use pumpkins, please don't carve faces on them. For chic effect do paint, tie a bow, hang a tag, scribble your pumpkins in every possible way you can think of. Damask for pumpkins? Now that's what I call trendy. PaperCraftConnection will show you how and inspirations.  Think Audrey Hepburn chic, not Morticia. 

My final advise, think of Halloween as your un-holiday decor. Think of a color scheme of black and orange instead of vampires and werewolves. It does makes decorating easier if you stick to a color scheme instead of sticking to a theme. You've probably seen it everywhere, but Amy Atlas' pure genius (not evil genius) dessert tables spell C-H-I-C along the way. She showed the way to use color scheme perfectly, black and purple, traditional orange and neutral.

I hope you're inspired (and motivated. *now get out of your screen and get decorating*)!! What are you dressing up as this Halloween or how do you decor your house this year? Do share! 

Giveaway : kyandkin

Again, another giveaway to indulge this month! kyandkin is Heather and her two daugthers : kylie and kinley, hence the name of the shop, obviously. And today she's in the mood of giving away of her handmade comfy leggings in winner's choice of color! Isn't that amazing? Yes, you can win your own custom made pair of leggings!

If you love form and function equally, you'll love kyandkin. You know if you shop for toddlers clothing, you can't really abandon comfort and safety. I live in Indonesia, hot and humid, yet I (and my Baby G) is totally in love with kyandkin nightgown. They're 100% cotton, so soft, comfy, and she's not having rash or  red elastic marks on her skin. If you love details, you love kyandkin more. Don't believe me? oh, you got to see the handmade packaging she does, it's very intimate, it's like it's really specially made for you, it literally IS sewn to your order, but, you know, there's just a huge difference between carrying a paper/plastic bag from the shop complete with price tags and getting your clothing sewn and folded in a handsewn fabric bag. 

Also the same Q&A applies to all my giveaway hosts! Here's Heather's... 

• My biggest hindrance in crafting/designing is finding time sometimes, it's difficult sometimes with 2 little ones running around, BUT it works out, for now, most of the time - lucky me!
• Crafting/Designing projects that I am most proud of when I was a kid is pretty much anything, I love to create. there's a sense of accomplishment with any craft once I complete it. 
• The harshest criticism/ insult that I have ever received about my craft/design works is haven't received any thus far...
• If I were an animal, I'd like to be a bird...would be neat to fly for just a bit :)
• If I were about to lose one of my five senses I'd rather it'd be my taste, all the others I wouldn't want to take away, seeing that I love to see, smell, hear and hug my little girls!
• I'd mostly get awarded for craftsmanship, taking my time with pieces
• If you could choose a celebrity for a sibling, it'd be jennifer aniston, I love her personality, and her style!

THE GIVEAWAY! 

So you want to win a pair of custom made leggings on your color of choice? Read on. 

How to enter : 

Please be a follower of my blog (clickety click the GFC corner there) AND name 1 favorite item from the shop. 

I will pick 1 winner with random. org. and the winner will be mailed by Nov 28th, 2010 at 14.00 my time (same day 07.00 GMT). So please, be sure to leave your email. Giveaway opens to US readers and international ones too if you agree to cover the shipping fees. 

Additional entries : 

*each task gain you +1 entry and mention as separate comment with your link or name as proof*

Like babalisme on FB

Follow babalisme on twitter 

Like kyandkin on FB 

Follow kyandkin on Twitter 

Heart your favorite item from kyandkin. 

Heart kyandkin etsy shop. 

Pin any item from Kyandkin Etsy shop to your pinterest. 

Tweet per day with link to this giveaway. 

Share on your FB wall per day about the giveaway. 

Gain 3 extra entries if you purchase from kyandkin during the giveaway. Mention with your etsy name in 3 separate comments. 

Winter's coming! So don't think, comments away! Keep your legs warm! 

Giveaway : Cloud Street Lab

As I promised, giveaway galore, everyone! First up, CloudStreetLab is generously giving away 5 products from her her shop for 5 - FIVE (5!!) winners! 

CloudStreetLab is a design and illustration house based at Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Built from love of experimentation and huge dream, CloudStreetLab is consisting of Ilma and Azam. the duo is currently opened the shop at Etsy for easy, affordable cliparts. Their products include the best selling robot cliparts, ultra cute Halloween themed cliparts,   and my personal favorite, the Monster Creator Kit! All of which is very suitable for a kiddie Halloween party! You can found out more about them at their lovely website or say hello to their blog.

If you want to find out more about CloudStreetLab I have kinda interviewed them..

This one is Ilma .. 

• My biggest hindrance(s) in crafting/designing is/are procrastination.
• Crafting/Designing projects that I am most proud of when I was a kid is my 'Reog' drawing. I won a gold medal for that. :D
• The harshest criticism/ insult that I have ever received about my craft/design works is a laugh. A laugh can be harsh, sometimes. :)
• If I were an animal, I'd like to be a bird, because I can visit different places and countries without spending my savings!
• If I were about to lose one of my five senses I'd rather it'd be my smell.
• I'd mostly get awarded for the clumsiest person. I often drop and break things, hit a wall while walking, lost important items :D 
• If you could choose a celebrity for a sibling, it'd be Rafael Nadal. He's such a nice and talented person.

..and Azam's .. 

• Crafting/Designing projects that I am most proud of when I was a kid is my comic
• The harshest criticism/ insult that I have ever received about my craft/design works is "You're so impatient. An artist must take his/her time in making artwork." 
• If I were an animal, I'd like to be--recently--an ape (because I can make a revolution and build my own planet) 
• If I were about to lose one of my five senses I'd rather it'd be my touch. 
• I'd mostly get awarded for "the-whatever-person-with-whatever-award-left" (seriously) 
• If you could choose a celebrity for a sibling, it'd be perhaps, right now, I'd like Shione Yukawa to become my older sister.

THE GIVEAWAY! 

So you want to win a clipart or that Monster Making Kit? Read on. 

How to enter : 

Please be a follower of my blog (clickety click the GFC corner there) AND name 1 favorite item from the shop. 

I will pick 1 winner with random. org. and the winner will be mailed by Nov 20th, 2010 at 14.00 my time (same day 07.00 GMT). So please, be sure to leave your email. Giveaway opens internationally.

Additional entries : 

*each task gain you +1 entry and mention as separate comment with your link or name as proof*

Like babalisme on FB

Like CloudStreetLab on FB 

Follow CloudStreetLab on Twitter 

Pin any item from CloudStreetLab Etsy shop to your pinterest. 

Tweet per day with link to this giveaway. 

Share on your FB wall per day about the giveaway. 

Gain 2 extra entries for following CloudStreetLab the blog. Mention in 2 separate comments. 

Gain 5 extra entries if you purchase from CloudStreeLab during the giveaway. Mention with your etsy name in 5 separate comments. 

If you can't wait for your cliparts, head over to CloudStreetLab blog. They're giving away free cliparts like the one pictured above (perfect for autumn garland). Do share your pictures if you used them! Comment away, folks! QUICK, the monsters waiting! 

Boo with your Eyes

Halloween is just 2 weeks away! I'm so excited! If only I could decorated our doorways and lanes with paper tombstones and plastic skeletons without getting myself burnt at stakes. Sigh. I always envy you guys who can celebrate Halloween in the open. Heck, I can always celebrate with you guys, online! Halloween party printables here FREE for you all these 2 weeks (pssst. Giveaway(s) too...)  

One of my reader, Sarah, asked for a not too kiddie Halloween theme like I have always done but not slasher movie material either. So...inspired by this, I think I'd share a photo props that is both safe for children but doesn't felt too childish for a grown up Halloween gathering. 

download

Do cut along the dotted lines and don't forget to attach both temples to your "boo!". I initialized the "boo!" to fit with A4 printing paper, but do adjust the print size to your ..er... head or heads. For example, a 80% printed "boo!" suit 7 years old well. Or if your head is as huge as a pumpkin, print at 120%. 

Lastly, download, enjoy, and do share your pics!

*** October 2013 update : I'm expiring the Scribd uploaded link and move the file to Google docs, which is user friendly and more awesome, so click away on the newly updated link. It will take you to the google docs site! Or Visit this post for a full list of my Halloween printables. Thank you! *** 

Halloween Month!

Greetings folks! I can believe it's October already! I thought I was just celebrating new year 2011!

I was out of town for several weeks and I was really lost in (internet) connection. So pardon my blog break. I'm back now and ready to give you more ideas and fun this October. *wink* Giveaways (yes, plural) included, so stay tuned.

While I'm saying hello, here's a reminder of Halloween fun at babalisme you can download for free!

mini cards

invitation

patterned paper

girl paper doll

boy version

This year, I was thinking of a grown up Halloween party printable since lots here are suitable for kids (those who are in their hearts). So maybe less orange, more black and ghoulish? What do you think? Do you prefer kiddie theme printable or grown up this year? Vote!

Fast Fashion FAQ

Hi there, long time no blog. I guess getting used to blogger new layout took me some time. Gee, how old I am! Today I'll be answering to the most frequently asked question landed on my email by you, awesome readers, second to how Scribd works, "What's your personal style like?" or "Can you blog an outfit post?" or "Are you even dressed up everyday or do you blog nekid (naked, LOL, I know it's still pronounced the same but why with this spelling?)" I'm going to answer the nekid one first : um, not literally dressed up but not naked either. 

Samantha Hahn's illustration

It's not a surprise that these questions arise, since I think 70% of Indonesian blogs are about fashion/personal style. And each craft and/or parenting blogger had also at least one outfit post, so many of you think I should come up with this. But to tell you the truth at this point I'm not really into outfit post, because : I'm not really camera ready, REALLY. I'm beyond awkward when it comes to posing. But do I interested in fashion? Yes I do!

What about personal style? Let me do a quick trivia about my personal style :

1. I never wear fur. I live in a tropical town, it'd be suicidal to even consider one. 
2. Nor do I lounge around everyday in bikinis or summer floral prints. Please stop imagining that all people in tropical lands dressed the same way as tourists everyday. 
3. I don't have a favorite or taboo color in fashion. I love them all! 
4. If I must live with only one  fashion staple let it be a slightly over-sized crisp white shirt and a pair of good fitting jeans. OK, I cheated, that's two items. 
5. I have a common obsession for shoes; flats, boots, wedges, heels, pumps, you name it.. I ain't gonna kid myself and deny it. There. 
6. I have my own Hermes Birkin dilemma; it's the queen bee of all designer's bags, perfectly sized, great investment, classically designed, outstanding choice  of colors and materials, shortly: I will never got bored with it. Yes, it's totally pricey, but the price tag aside; everybody else is wearing it. I'm not so sure whether I want one or not based on that fact alone. 
7. I luuuurve my waist. I'm a curvy girl in pear so I'm naturally more attracted to vintage cutting than modern one. I love seeing modern cut on everyone else, but it just doesn't work for me. 

So I think that's all I can share for now. Please do tell me what is your numero uno personal style rule? 

Room Envy

theslowlinfenc

Blafre

ohdeedoh

inkandwit

handmadecharlotte

I once read an article in an interior magazine that a bulky furniture is not recommended to be put in a room, unless, it's a storage room. Also the concept of a house/ a room within the real house or the room itself can also make your actual space look even smaller. But I think when it comes to kids' room, the only rule that should apply is : Imagination.

and budget of course.

All Ears

Hiya everyone! I'm back from a short trip and my do I feel recharged inside and physically exhausted at the same time! When I'm away I heard so many of you asking for this card in a more neutral mood. SO here it is everyone, the card in all occasion greetings. "thank you" and "best wishes". Kinda like 2 phrases in life you should have said the most, right? Feel free to download, click below, and don't forget to share your picture when you're using it.

download

Speaking of "phrases", maybe you have read it all over the net about JCP's slogan on girl t-shirt. No, I'm not going to moan or rant all over the blog for it, but I would like to share my "if" quote now. I grew up with lots of boys around me, 1 big brother and 2 boy cousins who always hang around the house and I call brothers as well. IF my mom had bought me that JCP t shirt and I had worn it, I would not have lived by now. :) Share your thoughts about the t shirt here! I'm in the mood for lending my ears!

Doily Lust

Don't you just love the versatility of paper doilies? They can decorate your party walls as well as inviting your guests. These will help spruce up your party : doily wreath US$40 from myhaleygirl and DIY invitation from bijouxbride.

Doilies can be displayed in every mood, from helplessly romantic to curiously standout. I'm obsessed with this valentine ready doily bloomers set from myhaleygirl, US$50 a set, and illustrated doily from daresong, US$45.

Even though store bought doilies are ridiculously cheap it doesn't mean you can't make doilies on your own. Only a regular hole puncher and pieces of papers needed. Get the tute here from Lorajean.

Much Needed

Katherine Kalleklec's cards, found on brothers borg.

Hi everyone. Have you noticed anything changed on this blog? It's slightly changed, you probably won't notice it but, thank you if you do :) SO .. I finally decided to give it a makeover, 3 years in the run and I think the blog deserves some face lift. In fact, the blog really need one! Do tell me what you think! do you have any more suggestion?

And I also want to tell you that I may not be really available to you during Idul Fitri Holiday break, but I try as much as I can to be online. :D I can't breath without puffing some http nowadays. Cheers!

Free Hari Raya Card!

download

I guess I'm pretty lucky to reside in multicultural Indonesia. I'm pretty proud on that subject. I get to celebrate lots and lots of holidays around here. From Chinese New Year, Easter, Christmas, Halloween.. we didn't have St. Patrick's Day tough, sob. And this is the time of the year for Moslem's Hari Raya or Idul Fitri or Moslem's New Year. I'm not a moslem myself, but like any other Indonesians I do get my share of ketupat lebaran and opor ayam ( those are rice cake dish and stewed chicken with coconut milk, kinda like eggnog to Christmas and turkey to Thanksgiving, really tasty :P)

I get many orders for Hari Raya greeting cards and tags too. But one cracked me up. Since I am not a Moslem, I tried to honor the occasion with a traditional greenish design with diamond pattern. Because I didn't know any better way to portrait this holiday. This client of mine said she's not really satisfied. And I asked "Why? I thought I used green to capture the Fitri spirit?" And she said, "Yeah, yeah, I don't really care about all that, I want a modern design."

I chuckled to myself. It is almost unbelievable how we always portray the "holidays" as "traditional" or "old". You know, blushing fat Santa Claus in Norman Rockwell's illustration, the witch's silhouette for Halloween... and most of all, we always think that there are no modern interpretation of Hari Raya design. It's always Arabic ornaments here, ketupat imagery there... mostly green... Sooooo... I kinda wish I satisfied all my clients this time. And to you my dear readers out there with this free one. Tell me what you think!

ps. Btw, if you feel left out and want to use the card for other occasion, do tell me! I'll set up a blank/ other greetings a.s.a.p.

Blog Loving

All pictures are from Ledansla. New blog that stays on my chrome tab all day long. I could never ever get tired looking at these pictures; chubby baby legs? My weakness. Do you have any blogs that keep you staring all day? Do share! Oh don't be stingy and keep those good blogs under your sleeves. :) We all love some eye candies.

On the Rack

adorevintage

moodboard

parkandcube

refinery29

Clothes are beautiful when they are lined up together like these, aren't they? One of my silly obsessions. Clothes hanging peacefully in their homes, a.k.a the closets.

Blog update : I'm still alive and busy catching my own tail. I don't know why it is irresistible to do so. plus I'm drooling like tap water too. JK. Truth is it's almost the biggest juiciest national holiday here in Indonesia, Idul Fitri, and I got more deadlines than I could handle right now. Please stick around, I'll be back as usual :)

Matryoshkas party picture submission is still open. Have a great weekend!