Happily Ever After

I know, you probably has seen these photos everywhere by now. It's Disney's theme parks advertising shot by the great Anni Leibovitz. You don't question the quality of her photographs. Ever. 'Nuff said. So yes, I love the series (but on some characters I think they have mis-casted, guess which one(s)?). Check them all here.

On the other hand, Dina Goldstein, a Leibovitz heir to the throne someday ;), has shot the other side of the Princess' coins. Funny, but true. What happens after a happily ever after?


I hate being a spolier and ruin your surprise factor so see and laugh at the poor souls yourself here.

ow...allright, this is my favorite so let's compare these two...


HA! I love Prince Charming potrayal on this one, watching a polo match? In thights? :D

Oh...Bags!

Bags. Something you stroll along with, maybe in your hand, on your shoulder, across your body, or even on your back, to store your belongings that you can't just leave at home. That's my definition, you must not take it too seriously. Bags are definitely much more than I had stated there. They are luxurious, one of a kind, must haves in fashion world known as " designer handbags". Hunted and copied all over the world. Geez. Not all fashion items receive the similar treatment, I think. And since I was born to the lesser part of fashion caste, I love the idea of making your own designer handbags. Such as ..



the notorious printable Kelly...

and this Chanel. Aaah, bless the person who made this. (found via SourCherry)

And speaking of bags, these are the ones I'm currently obsessing about. swoon.

from Paper Plane. Bless the designer.

Hello, Summer.

During hideous deadline hours, I usually drop baby G at my mom's. *chuckles* You know why, don't you? My mom wishes everyday would be my deadline (yeah, keep on wishing, mom!). Jk. It's funny that my mother, me, and Baby G is the first born daughter in the family. My mom is your average stay at home mom but she does terribly great craft (explain my undying love of the whole thing), gardening (err..not quite explain anything about me, everything I plant seems to wither in a few days), and cooking (err....I'm trying to make decent edible here! I swear!).
Since the weather is much much nicer at my mom's (although we live in the same city), I always like to hang around a bit at her garden. Beautiful. And what they're saying about green that please your inner side? Trust me, they're saying the truth. My favorite from her extensive garden is the cactus plant.


They're so cute, aren't they?

Meet Monsana!

...no..Monsana is not the name of this bear...but the creator of B (that's the name of the bear, if you were wondering) and the owner of the lovely shop called Brand Appliqué. She just opened it a few months agot and got some new listings yesterday, so be sure to visit her and give her some love! I called her shop, which is stuffed by wonderful letterpress cards and papers, not to mention their neat packaging, clean and modern, in a design-y kinda way. On the contrary, her style still somehow reflects a homy feeling too, when other design-y shops seem to lack of. (Oh just look at B the bear!)


Monsana is taken from the word Manzana in Spanish, apparently, the mis-spelled one. But it sounds catchy and the dear lady decide to go with the name. I really love talking to her, as she seems to have many things to share (and indeed she does), so I chat her a little more..but if you really really want to know here, just visit her lovely blog, or you just want to skip our chitchat and start ordering those high quality letterpress for yourself ? Head to her website for more info. If you're here for the coversation, here it is...

What's your main source of inspiration?
Anything that opens my eyes to the new experience.

When and how did you decide to sell handmade stuffs?
When I was in college. I wanted to use my free time to make some extra money, which turned out to be a huge success and later had become my serious business for a while until I decided to pursue my other dreams. I think part of the success was because I was young and bold and willing to take a risk.

I noticed that you do some design works as well, how to balance those two acts; designing and making handmades?
Design is one thing, craftsmanship is another. Although I wanted to have it all but in reality it's impossible. I used to make everything by myself but later got burned out that I felt drained of creativity. At a.angkana, I positioned myself as a creator, I design, select the right materials, and have my team made it. My secret is to have great teamwork.

In designing, which comes first; the clients' satisfaction or your creative idealism?
I have to say clients' need come first. The clients know their business better than anyone else. Besides, it's their budget they're spending. I won't abuse their money to fulfill my creative idealism. I do that to my own brand. :) Brand Applique shop is my creative outlet. I get to do anything I wanted to do without having to concern about demographics, target audience, and trend. Although the sales're not skyrocketing but so far, I'm enjoying it.

Do you have any works that you can call your "masterpiece" so far?
I loved every piece I created, yet won't call them 'masterpiece'. I'm looking for a way to put my skills to good use... you know.. like designing something that improves our society and people's lives. I would call that my masterpiece.



On the contrary, any works you wish people wouldn't find out about?
Yes I do. But if I told you then people would find out about them. ;) Let's keep the skeleton in the closet.

What new skills you wish to master right now?
Networking skills. I'm always envious of people who know how to build and keep up their social networking.

If you're not a designer, what would you do now?
If I weren't a designer, I would do what I'm doing now. I've been living my life. The sky has no limit and I LOVE exploring new territories. Currently, I'm into marketing and branding. I'm also looking into MBA program.

What's the best tips/suggestions/ words of wisdom you have ever received as a designer?
I'm not sure I can call it the tip or suggestion, it's more like a hint. And it came from a design legend who was one of the greatest designer in the 20th century. I got to sit down and had a meeting with him, back in Chicago. At that time, I had already been doing great in my career. My work had been recognized but I was looking to have more exposure. So I was excited to meet the guy. We talked about work, trend, his work ethic, and his life. He gave me a hint as to what I was about to get myself into if my desire was to become a design legend. It's going to be long hours of work, no days off, no vacation, and no life. If that's my goal, he asked me to go back and see him.

And that's my turning point.

I spent a few days contemplating his words. Then decided that's not how I see myself living it. My priority's not my work, it's the people I love. I can live without fame. So I stopped working long hours and started paid attention to people around me. These days I'm doing well with my work-life balance. I've been living my life and enjoyed every moment of it. had I not met up with him then, I won't be where I am now.


Any tips for new designers/ Etsy sellers?
Etsy folks, you're doing good already. We're in the same boat though as I'm new to Etsy as well. As long as we stay optimistic and work hard (don't go extreme on that, would you?) good things will happen to us.

Design folks, I may not be in a position to give you any tip as I'm a rebel one :) Ok.. one thing I can say from my experience. Ever since, I stopped and smelled the roses, I've been doing even better than before!. The secret is I spend more time being out and scouting new territories than sitting at my desk flipping through design magazines. New experiences're great sources of my inspiration for creating great work.


Lastly, thanks Babalisme for having me here today!
(well, your welcome, Monsana! My pleaseure to have you here! )

Tabby Cat Embroidery Pattern

..embroidery pattern is back once again, to bribe you my dear readers for my long absent. Forgive me, but my excuse for that will be on my next post to come. So in the mean time,.. I haven't learned how to embroider myself (lazy thing), but I did manage to learn a few embroidery lingo, thanks to Helen of orangeyoulucky, otherwise I won't have a clue what a Satin Stitch is (and while you visit Helen grab her bunny embroidery pattern as well!).

So here's a pattern of Tabby the cat, under the rain. Oh, I love raindrops, and I love cats too, though I'm more of a dog person. I also give you Tabby in color, for your color reference. For the dress and the umbrella, you can do a full back stitch to fill it with color, or do a straight stitch to give Tabby a striped dress, or better, you can use a fabric applique to create her dress and umbrella. Do as your creativity guides you!

for larger/print size file head here.

If you have any questions you are always free to ask... someone who is an expert in embroidery, not me!! Hahaha! Just kidding, you can ask me, and if I can't answer yours, I'll ask to an embroidery expert I know. Please share your creations, lovelies!

*update* There is a report about the link being infected by a virus. I'm contacting the file hosting admin but haven't got any reply yet. If you encounter similar problem, please let me know. For the mean time, I'm suggesting you to view it on full size and save rather than downloading it. I'm soooo sorry for the inconvenience. (But if you had downloaded and found no virus, please let me know too!)

Smiling Baby G

This is a picture of my Baby G smiling. Always work even on the worst mood ever. I have been chased by a monster called deadline lately, so excuse my absent from the blogosphere. (I bribe you guys with a picture of a baby! HAH! Got you!) Thank you for your understanding.

June Printables : Handbag!

Hey, don't put a sad face, June isn't officially end by the 30th, so there's still time for a printable to share! Let's not forget why I have a printable party on my blog this June, to celebrate a birthday! *wink-wink* If you want today's printable you have to answer this right, whose is it?

*chuckles*

It's mine, and don't feel bad about not knowing it or simply forget it, I'm just teasing you. So today's printable is perfect for a gift package to a friend who is having her birthday, or a birthday party favor containers at your little one next birthday, who knows, but I'm saying is this pink handbag is perfect for celebrating.

download.

Instruction is always simple, print, cut, and a little bit fold, et voila. (You can always ask if you're facing a problem or two, I shall help you with that) But don't forget to store something inside before you give it to someone. The back side is the one with a space for personal notes, you can either have a greetings or a lucky person's name on it, or even the recipe for what's stored inside, mmmm.... I'd like to have one of those gift (yum). Feel free to decorate with ribbons or buttons, but I'd like to see what you come up with, OK? Oh, and those two rectangles is a handbag handle, you should cut that away neatly. So.. do you have a lovely June this year? I hope you do, because I'm having fun this month!

A Weekend..

..tho world's not going to forget easily. I know there are already a bunch of posts in the blogosphere about the death of Mr. Jackson, so I will say little, just to show that I am in loss too of a legend.

image.

There's no music, no persons, no songs, I grew up with, as the same amount as MJ's. May he rest in peace and make greater music up there. Happy weekend.

June Printables : Deer and Shroom Pattern Paper

Don't you just love patterned paper? Since I always give a predictable printable (say that fast! ...you know, I mean, the kind of printable which the only instruction would clearly be, print, cut, et voila!) Let your creativity runs wild this time with "deer and mushroom" patterned paper I just made. After printing you can make just about anything with this paper! Wrap a gift, construct a box, line an envelope, decorate a cupcake, the possibilities are even endless than my previous printables!!

download.

I don't want to miss the fun too. Here's what I make with my "deer" paper: a miniature note book! I printed it at 25%, cut it, looked for some abandoned papers, cut-cut, and stapled, done! I really really love to look at your creations too, not just this one, all of your projects using one of my printables, don't forget to tell me, dearies!

I give out these printables free for personal use, no commercial purposes allowed. Please respect my rights as the maker, and don't do it behind my back, it hurts my feeling, really. And I may stop giving away free printable. And you might get boo-ed by my loyal readers. Just, don't be a jerk. 

Enjoy your weekend!

June Printables : Itty Bitty Matching postcard!

As promised, an itty bitty matching postcard. Print away, cut, glue the back of each together, voila, a postcard for you.

download

*note: the text "your greetings here" is editable. You may choose your own greetings, such as 'thank you', 'congratulations', 'get well soon', or even 'will you marry me?' (with conflict-free diamond ring inside the box, preferably).

June Printables : Itty Bitty Box!

The title says it all. Today's printable is an itty bitty floral patterned box! Yaaaay! If you print and assemble at 100%, this box can contain 1 small chocolate truffle or a ring. But of course you can always print it on any size you like.

Download

I will share a matching postcard/ gift tag very soon.

Sorry, no printables for today, I gotta rest, can't I? Well, I'm not leaving you without anything to feast your eyes upon. Say hi to Anuk and enjoy his marvelous arrays of art and short movies. This one is a still from here.


Have a great weekend!

June Printables : Poodles!

I love making notes into anything. Not that I'm organized on documentation and such, but I'm such a lazy, worn-out mom trying to make mental notes on everything and I failed graciously. So I take real notes, not the mental ones. And here's to all of you who are crazy about notepads or just love to scribble anything.You can print as many as you like, bundle them up, stitch them together, or staple them. Anythingm be my guests. Enjoy.

Happy Birthday to me!

Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday dear, meeee... happy birthday to me!! Yaaaay!! Today's my birthday, so how's the printable fiesta going? Are you enjoying it as much as I do? Today I'm going to celebrate with.. an award!

A brand new award from the ultra-lovely Diana that really really put me into a big red face. Thank you, Diana, love your sexy librarian! I'm going to pass along the (aawr!) sexy award to Rosey, Christy, Rachel, Carrie, Lolly (get better soon!), Holly, petrushka, mamamima, and Jessica. If you're not on the list, don't fret, I love you all so grab yourself one sexy librarian for you too, you are most welcome!

Now, it's..time for another printable! Woo-hoo! Today I'm going to share a more mature design, and in themed with the retro award I just got, since I'm not that young anymore, so a printable retro birthday cards for you to share. Enjoy!

June Printables : Father's Day Card

I'm a big Daddy's little girl. I mean, I used to be little, but still am a Daddy's little girl that now I'm already big and develop a major soft spot for my Dad. Confused? Well, in short, I love my Dad and I'm not ashamed to show that. I bet every woman does. Who always backs you up when you and mom are having an argument? Who always tell you, you're pretty all the time, even that time when you think Doc Martens boots and tutu skirt are made to be worn together (and those hideous shoulder pads)?

Daddy is often clueless about their little girl, not really aware that she is over the "pony and princess" period, not quite sure when does his little baby in pink attire suddenly change into an eyeliner and mascara obsessed teenager (screaming loudly in the virtual presence of an adolescent idol? Who?). But that's why I love my Daddy so much. So clueless about me yet his love is always genuine, as if I'm forever his little pony-riding princess. (No, as much as I wanted, I didn't have a pony as a child, speaking of a pony, I have never actually seen one alive.)

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To honor the role of daddies in our lives, I present you the Father's day card printable. In Indonesia (that's where I lived), there's no Father's day on the calendar. Soo... yes, it's quite awkward for me (and probably my dad) to give him a present, or even send a greeting. Well, there's first time for everything, right?

If you're unsatisfied with this card, you can always make something. Here's some Father's day craft worth trying:

1. Kojodesigns share a seriously cute Father's day card how-to.
2. Transform an Altoid tin case into a mini toolbox for Dads by following Alpha+mom's tutorial.
3. Does your Dad fancy some scratching? Head to DesignDazzle!
4. Coffee lover Dads will love this hand painted mug by you. Yes, you!