My Final Artwork for 2013 ^^

Time flies so fast and today marks the end of 2013! Instead of looking back to the year that was, for now I'd rather look forward to the year that will be.:) 

Here are my aspirations for 2014, as symbolized by my final artwork for 2013 ---- 

My Customized and Handmade Planner Cover!:)

Unlike its "predecessor" which is more on the cool pastel side, the cover of my new planner screams of sparkle, shimmer and all that! 

It might be too lustrous for some but, hey, that's how I want my 2014 to be.:) I want to "radiate" endless energy and enthusiasm to be able to take giant leaps in reaching my goals and accomplishing even those I haven't had courage to do before. 

The color scheme is also reminiscent of our wedding motif. I hope 2014 will be another fruitful year for our marriage, in whatever means possible.

As for the gold ribbon, it also signifies me, Golda being my name haha. It simply means that one of my aspirations for the coming year is to have more opportunities to express my individuality, my skills and whatever that would speak of who/what I really am, sans fear of rejection or indifference.

The color violet (my fave!) is also for royalty. Maybe, just maybe, I will be a real princess in my own palace come 2014.:)

Finally, the heart on the cover denotes my yearning to give more love and care to family, friends and just about anybody in my own little way. Of course, such would not be possible without first acknowledging God's great love for humanity.

So that's my final artwork for 2013. More than a visual masterpiece (or at least that's how I perceive it lol), it is an unabashed display of my heart's desires for 2014. May all of these (and yours too!) come true, God-willing.

I wish everyone Wondrous & Joyful New Year!^^

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UPDATE: January 27, 2014

After barely a month, the metallic coating on the letters I used for my name already began to chip off. Hence, I decided to just use plain foam cut-outs, material of which is similar to the ones I used for "2014".:) 

Here's the current look of my planner cover teehee...:)

ADVENT 2013: Of Observance and Crafts

Today, the 1st of December, marks the beginning of ADVENT, a season that Christians observe before Christmas. It is a time of reflection, anticipation and preparation for the nativity of Jesus.:)

A Catholic myself, I grew up  having an Advent wreath in our home as part of the season's observance. Every year, the presence of the wreath would nurture my spirituality, reminding me of what the season is all about.

Source: http://christmastraditions.net/advent.shtml

An Advent wreath has many symbolism in itself. Traditionally made of evergreen, its color signifies eternal life. Its circular shape speaks of the belief that God has no beginning nor end.  

There are four candles on the wreath, representing the four weeks of Advent.  Three of which are purple and one is pink. 

The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.  The light again signifies Christ, the Light of the world. Some modern day adaptions include a white candle placed in the middle of the wreath, which represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve. (www.catholiceducation.org)

In the past, it is my mother who always took the initiative to set up an Advent wreath. Now that I am living in separate residence with my Hubby (and JIGGLY :)), I happily assumed the "responsibility".:)

To be honest though, until yesterday morning, I did not have a clear idea on how to go about setting up our own Advent wreath. Afternoon came and I was cramming already. Since time wasn't enough for me to go to wherever to buy a ready-made wreath, I decided to improvise one.:) I suddenly had inspiration when I rummaged through the available materials in the house. Thank God, I was able to come up with this... tadaaaaah!:)

Materials used:

4 wine glasses
4 candles (3 purple and 1 pink) ---> Courtesy of my mom ^^ 
Green Garlands 

See, I did not have to spend much for our simple wreath! I truly hope that with this in our home, as in the past years, I would always be prompted of the true essence of Advent which leads up to the most joyous yet meaningful time of the year, Christmas.:)

2013 Planner Makeover

One of the many things that get me excited as each year comes to a close is the thought of having a new planner!:) I may be weird to some but I just find it thrilling to fill up blank pages of a planner with schedule of events, activities and tons of things to do. And because I have the tendency to be very detailed, monthly and weekly planners don't work for me. It has to be one-page-a-day type, otherwise it won't have any function for me at all.:)

One problem though, most of the "functional" (well, to my standards) planners in the market nowadays carry the classic look that does not really reflect my personality. To state it bluntly, they are simply boooooring!

So in preparation for 2013, I still got myself a classic planner but decided to give it a little makeover. Scrap art materials were utilized, hence making my project eco-friendly.:)

With the help of my trusty glue gun, I spent barely 30 minutes turning this ho-hum baby

into something more colorful and feminine! Plus I made sure my name's on it for clear ownership teeheee.:)

With the new cover, I am all the more eager to put this planner into good use!:) 

Yeah 2013, let's get it on!
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UPDATE (February 20, 2013)

Sometimes, I just can't stop updating my craft designs.:) Take this planner for example. I had a spare photo lying around and didn't know what to do with it until the idea of putting it on the planner cover struck me. Now it looks like this and my sister is pissed off because for her it seems very narcissistic HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!:D As for me, well, I like it HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!:D

Handmade Mini Backpack for A Bashful Bear

Here's another handmade craft by yours truly.:) 

I made this for a bashful bear who just can't afford to face the camera every time his picture is taken lol. It's just that black dominates his whole outfit so I figured that he needs an accessory with a dash  of color.:)

I used scrap flannel fabric which I cut into squares and quilted together (excuse me, no sewing machine!:)) to produce this mini backpack for him. I got a spare blue zipper and then sewed it on the topmost part to complete this creation.:D

Sharing with you a picture of the finished product, and oh, of the bashful bear as well. Sorry, it's just his back haha.:)

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Do you love handmade crafts?

ARTS and CRAFTS: Handmade Scrap Leatherette Pillow

One of the realizations that make me smile these days is the fact that I have always been in love with crafts, much longer than I have been with my hubby haha!:D I find it really satisfying  to save up materials on their way to the trash bin and turn them into something useful. Take for example, scrap fabrics. 

During our wedding preparations last year, hubby and I went to Divisoria to source out fabrics for gowns, souvenirs etc. Though we were not particularly eyeing for leatherette, I  insisted on passing by one shop selling such kind of fabric, out of fascination. I was able to collect a number of pieces which were given to me for free supposedly for swatching purpose. 

After the wedding, I had to do a general cleaning so I can throw away those which would not have much use as I embark on a new chapter of my life. Such action was actually a preventive measure so my hubby would not drown in my sea of stuff haha. 

Much to my resistance, I still ended up parting with a lot of things but when it came to my scrap fabrics, I dunno but I just couldn't let my hands shoot them into the trash bin (well, more of a trash sack haha). I knew I had to do something with them in order to make their "stay" with me justifiable.

Idea immediately struck me and I started putting the pieces together, sewing them side to side. I did not seek the help of Mr. Sewing Machine, mind you. I merely handstitched them using back stitch. With some cotton filling at hand, tadaaaaaan! scrap fabrics were turned  into a nice PILLOW!:)

It took me more than a week to finish this because I was also busy with other things. But based on my estimate, if the focus would only be on sewing, a period of three days, or even less, is enough to complete projects such as this.

So there, my "craft-y" mind saved the scrap fabrics from joining the rest of the garbage. And I believe that if they can only talk, they'd be thanking me profusely. Haha!

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How about you, have you turned scrap fabrics into something nice lately?:)