Merry Christmas

Christmas is here!!! Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from our home to yours.

I almost didn't make any Christmas cards this year; but here they are! Unfortunately, I sent the cards out a bit late so it might not reach its destination in time. Ah well...

My card is published

The card above was selected to be included in Laura McFadden & Deborah Baskin's 1000 Handmade Greetings: Creative Cards and Clever Correspondence! I haven't seen the book in person yet but will definitely make the trip to Barnes & Nobles when I have a chance.

Handmade Greetings rock!

A Musical & Fine Dining

Our Anniversary was spent dining at Jean Georges Perry St. followed by one of the hottest Broadway shows, In the Heights. The food was yummy and the show was spectacular! We really enjoyed it. Even though we live in NYC, we don't venture out much to all those things that all the tourist flock to NY to do. Yet when we travel, we do everything a tourist would and more! I guess we really do take it for granted; that everything is within reach so we often push it off. We really shouldn't think that way. We miss out on so much this great city has to offer. I hope we can indulge a bit more in the New Year and enjoy all the shows, art galleries and museums.

Steamy Kitchen's Holiday Giveaways!

Win it!

http://steamykitchen.com/blog/2008/12/11/holiday-giveaway/

3:39 am

It's 3:39am and I ought to be asleep but I just spent the last 2 hours trying to figure out how to do something. I got my hubs to help me and finally got it to work; to learn immediately after that there was a much faster shortcut. At times like these, I feel like such a flake. Ugh!

Ah well whatever. Tomorrow will be a better day because the hubs and I will be celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary! That's a freakin' decade my friends! We're very excited. I'll update more after our Anniversary Date.

Etsy Shop Local in Asia

I just read this fantastic article about Etsy Sellers selling across the world, specifically Asia - Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Phillipines, South Korea and Malaysia. It's so great to learn that there are such creative folks all the way across the world from me. It also heightens my interest on travelling abroad to Asia. I've only been to Japan so far and would love to visit as many Asian countries as I can. I already have plans to visit Hong Kong (where I was born) and Thailand in 2010. I seriously can't wait!

A few of my favorites from the article:

Starry Designs

Saplanet
RaesCreations

Handmade Holiday Calvalcade Hosted by NewNew

The NewNew's first Holiday Show happened on Saturday. From what I heard and saw, it was highly successful. I kind of regret not selling with my teammates, but I knew I had too much going on. I am so proud of my teammates and am hyped up to join the fun next year!

I asked my husband to take the photos (gave him something important to do while I chatted with most of the sellers.) I tried to get to everyone but it was a bit overwhelming and we had to get back to our metered car. Sorry if I missed a few of you.


Packed with buyers!

In this photo, from left to right, there's Tyshawn from Redbridge, the Gift Bags in the back and Marty from dewonapetalhome.

Click here for the rest of the photos..

Pucker Up!

You Stink Soap - I just love the name! Haha. I also happen to love anything lavender - soap, lotion, salt etc..

It's not easy finding a good lip balm even though it seems like all lip balm makers uses the same few ingredients. I absolutely love Nordea's lip balms. It glides on smoothly and tastes er... feels great on my lips.

Another great name - bunnybuttapothecary! It certainly makes Wai Sze Designs sound boring! I also dig the label packaging too and there is a great variety to choose from as well.

MoonMaidenSoap - Love the name, love the packaging and it comes in a box! Great stock stuffer indeed.

I'm so obsessed, I almost want to make my own lip balm... but I won't... I'll leave it to these bath and body professionals and the million or so that sell on Etsy. It's amazing how many people are making natural lip balms free from artificial chemicals. It's a fabulous thing. Good bye commercial chapstick forever!

I also love the Buy 3, get 1 Free deals or Buy a certain amount and get a price break deal. For someone like me who can't leave the house without her lip balm, this is an extra incentive and greatly appreciated.

Guilty as Charged!

To my delight, I received a wonderful free Blackberry Lip Balm from Etsy Seller, dennisanderson last week along with my purchase. It smelled so yummy and often times, I don't care too much when I receive free stuff because I usually get things I don't need/want. (I have a clutter phobia - constantly throwing things away..) Anyway, to my horror, I came home to this after doing some Black Friday shopping this morning.

Looks like Sam thinks the lip balm was yummy too because she devoured half the tube, plastic and all!
A closer look... bye bye lip balm!
*25% off is happening now in my shop!

Black Friday - Cyber Monday Sale Starts Now!

Best Offer Yet Starts Now! I'm giving thanks to all my wonderful customers. Starting now through Monday, enjoy 25% off entire store! (excludes custom orders and shipping) Please purchase and wait for your revised invoice before paying; or I'll send a refund!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Candy Cane, Snowflakes & Birds

A few new additions to my shop. I really love the simplicity of these tags. I rounded each corner to make it a bit more special. The twine adds just the perfect rustic chic-ness, don't you think? I love twine; I want to use it on everything!

My favorite by far... but you should know that by now if you've been following my work... hehe.Two more days until Big Ole Turkey Day. Can't wait!

My first Giveaway!

I'm giving away two fabulous Holiday Cards on the NewNew website. Check it out!

I Heart Vegan Friendly Soap

I'm hoarding soap & lip balm and no one is going to stop me!

Inspired by Nature

Old Country Road
Rose Cottage

Escape from the city

The hubs and I packed our bags and took our dog to the Catskills for a long weekend. It was a bit chilly and wet but oh so rustic and beautiful.

My hubs is becoming quite a photographer. This is my favorite shot, yup of my wet Merrills. Haha.

We hiked for 6 hours! At one point, I thought I wasn't going to make it, but we trudged along through 2 hours of mist, climbing over loose rocks and the rustling of a bear! Visit my flickr for more photos of our outdoor adventure.

NewNew's Monday Giveaway!

Start the week right with these beautiful handmade earrings from the talented Lingua Nigra! Best of all, it's free! Click on photo to give it a twirl! Best of luck!

Cafe Au Lait

Like any woman, I love to shop. Unlike most women though, I don't just enjoy shopping for clothes, shoes or handbags. I shop for much more than that. Amongst the things I love include home goods, gourmet foods, most things at the Container Store, and scrapbook supplies. I recently found a new and inspiring website entitled, Capture the Moment which showcases stamps and ideas from a line that's new to me, called PaperTrey Ink. It's a simple website filled with a plethora of acetate stamps that are very easy to use. The best part is that PaperTrey Ink has an Angel Policy which means I can use their stamps to make cards and sell in my shop. Making sure that a rubber stamp company has the Angel Policy is so important - wouldn't want to get sued over a $4 card I just sold, ya know? Anyway, I've been eying the following stamps sets created by designer Heather Nichols. You rock Heather, love these stamps!

I'm so inspired by these cards!

If you haven't guessed it by now, yes, I'm a coffee addict. A coffee a day keeps the doctor away, right? Love tea & cocoa too of course!

Reflecting

Over the summer, I happily engaged in a bunch of craft shows. Now that the summer is over and I've had a few shows checked off my to-do list; it's time to reflect. It's interesting how different I felt before doing my first show and now having done quite a few. I was nervous but excited. Now that the summer has gone by, I feel more confident with my craft and it's been awesome meeting customers and noticing what they tend to gravitate towards.

Craft shows has taken its toll on me though. It's not easy waking up at the break of dawn on a Sunday morning, load up the car and trek it over to Brooklyn. I'm so lucky to have a supportive husband who doesn't complain (too much) and is willing not just to drive me over and pick me up but hang out and help set up and close down at the end of the day.

I also realized that it's not so easy attending craft shows, selling my goods online, work a full time job and be a "good" wife. I've been so busy multi-tasking that I don't have time to sit down and actually enjoy it. That's not good. Most importantly, I haven't been able to devote time to crafting creatively. Surprised huh? I've gotten to a point in my craft where I can repeat some of the designs and still keep it fresh and fun; but I yearn for those days where I spent hours upon hours surfing the net or walking around the city looking for inspiration.

Hence, I've decided that I need "focus" back in my life. I will commit to less craft shows, but spend more time at home to craft creatively and hope for my online orders. Christmas is just around the corner and will be my 2nd as a married couple. I look forward to all the fun festivities and eating of course!

No worries though, I'm still going to participate when I can. My next show will be a new one for me; at the Brooklyn Indie Market (BIM) on Sat., November 15th. I'll be sharing a space with Michelle from dirtylovesclean.etsy.com. So excited about this! And I'll probably make an appearance at the Brooklyn Flea (my mainstay) in December.

Promos Needed!

Promotional Opportunity: Hip NYC Holiday Craft Fair Now Accepting Samples and Promos
The Holiday Handmade Cavalcade is a one-day shopping event showcasing three floors full of handcrafted goods. It will take place in New York City at the Knitting Factory, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday December 6, 2008.

The event is being organized by The {NewNew}York Street Team (http:// thenewnewny.com). The group is partnering with many sponsors including Etsy & L Magazine (www.thelmagazine.com), and a large crowd is expected.

Anyone who RSVPs for the event online will be eligible to receive 1 of 200 complimentary, limited-edition goody bags which will be packed with Etsy Goods from across the US. The group is now accepting donations for the goody bags. This will be a great way to promote your business to thousands of NYC consumers & gain exposure around the holiday season.
Types of donations accepted include samples/smaller versions of your product (soap, earrings, prints, etc), promos (pins, buttons, magnets, etc), and coupons/gift certificates. Business cards, postcards, fliers, or other such items will not be included unless they are attached to a sample/promo/coupon. Please send samples & promos in lots of at least 10-15 items(200 item max).

Contact handmadecavalcade @ gmail.com with the subject line *promos* for the address of where to send and with any questions you may have. *Donations must be received by November 21, 2008.*

Getting ready for Christmas...

I have a stack of Holiday themed paper that's been waiting for me to use along with some vintage-y Holiday stamps. These sets are currently available in my shop in sets of four. Happy Holiday Shopping!




I'm also working on Holiday gift tags, to be added to my shop in the next week or so.

Love Every Moment

Tonight one of my bestest friends stopped by for some last minute help. One of my closest friend, whom I've thought of as a brother and have known since high school will be getting married tomorrow! Words cannot express how happy and excited I am for him and his new wife to be.

Table Numbers & Menu Cards made for the wedding.
Handmade notecard for the Bride & Groom
I included 3 personalized notecards for themAnd a last photo of the bachelor before the biggest day of his life...

Soap Giveaway!

I have a weakness for handmade soap. I would love this... you can too - click on photo to the {NewNew} Team's Monday giveway!

Let's Celebrate!

A quick gift for our friends celebrating their 10 year Anniversary! I decorated a paper bag with some ribbon and pretty paper... along with a stamped image of a wedding cake.

Inside, I included a hand written card and a sweet little scrapbook for her to fill in. I even added a gluestick so that she has everything she needs. She loved it and so did her husband.
10 years seems like a long way to go, but my friends have made it seem very easy. I've never seen a couple more "together" than they have been. I admire their love for each other and makes me look forward to my own 10 year Anniversary!

Chinese for Dinner

I've been trying to cook more lately. I've been scouring the internet looking for healthy and easy to make recipes. Last night, I made a healthier and lighter version of Sweet & Sour Chicken thanks to Jaden at Steamy Kitchen. The meal came out quite well and both my picky husband and sister loved it! My photos are not nearly as crisp and perfect as Jaden's but these will have to do for now.


We had to stop by the Chinese market before dinner to pick up more Jasmine rice (how can an Asian household be without rice?) While we were shopping, my sister picked up a container of Vegetarian Duck. She said it's a must try, and indeed she was correct. It was delicious! I also cooked up a side of Chinese Broccoli to round off our meal. Jasmine rice flavored with chicken stock (that's how my husband likes it) finished off our Chinese meal.
A close up of my Sweet & Sour Chicken Dish. This was so easy to make and so yummy too! I don't make Chinese food often. I find cooking Italian much easier; but I think this may the beginning of something good here...