Been a while!

Ohhh... it's been a while since my last post. Been so busy with swapping and tagging in Swap-bot. I enjoyed it a lot! Paper crafting and making handmade crafts has occupied a lot of my time. I have also joined postcrossing. I was inspired when I received some vintage postcards.

I received a cute Pink crochet book thong from a generous lady from Swap-bot. It has a little dragonfly charm and a glass heart bead. It was lovely! The note that came with it was equally nice. She wrote that, hopefully I will enjoy using it as much as she enjoyed making it and that she loved the dragonfly on the front... that "it was so little you almost miss it... like most of the moments in life!"

Scrapbooking Workshop

Oh... I'm so excited! I was out checking what's new in the scrapbook section at the mall when I saw the leaflet for the upcoming scrapbooking workshop in our area. It's still a month away but I'm really so excited!

Ribbons!

Ribbons, ribbons and ribbons! I'm falling in love with ribbons more and more each day lately! I just have to blog it. It's been in my head all day. I love ribbons since I was in high school. I would save my allowance and buy different colors to tie my hair. I also make some hair accessories with it. Oh, I remember those days!

Just recently, I bought some pretty ones by the yards. I bought them to use in my recent craft projects. They are just so pretty that I keep on looking at them! I signed up with some ribbon swaps and I'm so enjoying it!

Decoupaged Eyelet Hammer

I finally bought the eyelet setter I have been eying for quite so long now. Making things with eyelets are really easier with proper eyelet setting tools! Before, I just set my eyelets using a nail screw and our ordinary hammer. I admit, though the front of the eyelet is okay, the back is just not so! So, yesterday, I bought one. Today, after trying it out, I decided to make it look more girly. I was inspired by the eyelet setting tool with a Pink flowered prints on the hammer handle that I saw in a magazine. Since my new hammer has a wood handle, decoupaging it was the best thing for me to do. It also happened that I have this magazine where it has a print that I really like. It's a combination of pink and browns, stripes and paisleys... just what I like! So there, I now have a pretty eyelet setting hammer. It makes crafting even more exciting!



Partying at:
Tools Are For Women Too
Motivate Me Monday
Making Monday Marvelous
All Things Related Tuesday

Altered Matchbox

It's been another busy crafting week! I have signed up for a few swaps in swap-bot and most of it are altered matchboxes where I have to decorate a 32ct empty matchbox and fill it with goodies related to the given theme. It seems easy but it also takes a lot of effort because you really have to think of your design and make it extra special so that your swap partner will like it. But it's really a lot of fun and when I finished the matchbox, there was a great sense of fulfillment! It is also a very good recycling project. The boxes can be a pretty storage and organizer for brads, button, eyelets and other tiny stuffs. It can be a gift box for earrings, bracelets and brooches.

It was just a little difficult to package them in a regular envelope. The ready made envelope with plastic bubble wrap would be nice but it was a little bit expensive. What I did was, make a little plastic bubble wrap envelope and placed the matchbox inside then put it in a sturdy brown envelope. Crossing my fingers that they will arrive to my partners undamaged! I also made some handmade bookmarks as extra presents. I shipped them today and I hope my swap partners will like them!



This week, I am really into making bookmarks. Aside from the bookmark presents for my swap partners, I also made some for my three nieces.


Happily linking to these parties!
Scrappy Saturdays
http://www.iamonly1woman.blogspot.com//
Motivate Me Monday
Saturday Soiree

Crafting Comeback

The last couple of weeks seems to be my come back on crafting. I've been making paper beads, handmade bookmarks, altered matchboxes and organizing my craft supplies (over the years, I have stashed some scrap papers, embellishments and magazine cut outs). I have also discovered swaps. Well, I used to swap little things with my penpal Sheri before, as well as a lot of keychains with my international keychain collectors group, so I think, it's not a whole new experience to me. I am enjoying the swaps right now because I get to do some crafting. I enjoy making bookmarks, notecards and decorating boxes. I think I'm falling in love with paper crafts!

My paper beads! Sorry for the blurry picture!

Altered matchboxes!

Altered brads!

Review: The Secrets of Rosa Lee

Since I was so into crafting activities the past couple of weeks, my reading time has taken a little back seat and I only get to read just before I sleep. The other night, I finally finished the novel "The Secrets of Rosa Lee" by Jodi Thomas. It was a good book and the story is interesting. Of course, it has a mystery and detective sense so I enjoyed it.

Now, I'm on to a new novel. "Quentins" by Maeve Binchy. Quentins is a restaurant featured in Tara Road so I am curious about it's own story.

Paper Crafts

Time really flies so fast! It's been 10 days since my last blog entry. 10 days ago, I discovered the art of making paper beads. I got so interested in it that most of my online time was spent searching about it and my "not online" time was spent cutting papers (the cutting wasn't easy as I thought it would)! But well, with more practice, I'm sure I'll get the hang of it! Below are the first five paper beads I made!

I also made some handmade bookmarks for my swap partners.

I'm also posting some pictures of paper related crafts that I made before. I bought some greeting cards from a thrift store and I cut the pictures to make scrapbook embellishments. Then I made the borders or blank background of the cards into frames and little somethings like the bags, books, notebooks and cupcakes. I really enjoyed making them!


Attending craft parties at:

Books and E-books!

The other night, I was lurking at the girltalk forum where the topic is e-books. The girls were comparing the e-books they have, as well as, telling each other how and where they got theirs. Most of which, they said were free so they started to collect. I also have some e-books, but they are mostly cookbooks and arts & crafts. I love them because they were well illustrated and has very user friendly instructions. Anyway, the girls mentioned about some interesting novels, so I searched for them. I did find the novels, but when I started reading it, it doesn't feel like the real thing. I mean, it doesn't feel like I'm reading a novel. Of course, the story is the same, but I would still very much prefer holding and flipping a soft bound pocket book!

Booksale Good Finds

Another trip to the Booksale has given me three good find books! After finishing Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, I still felt like reading some more of her novels. So today, on my trip to the mall, visiting Booksale is one of my top itinerary. After about an hour of browsing the shelves (with a little bit of crouching to see what's on the lower shelves), I settled to get three novels. Two of which were by Maeve Binchy, the "Silver Wedding" and "Quentins" (which was featured on Tara Road, so it really got my fancy). The other one is "The Secrets of Rosa Lee" by Jodi Thomas. I was really happy with the price... a good 80.00 Philippine pesos for the three books! Some books of the same author are still being sold at 75 to 105 per book. Can't wait to read them and see if they're worth it...lol... because I'm actually pretty sure they are!

Beautiful Pendant

A pretty pendant is being given away at Pretty Things by Lori. Please visit her blog and join the contest. :)

Being In Touch with Friends

Today, I viewed the photo album of one of my college friends in Facebook. It was like a photo book, where she tells about her feelings regarding her being still single. We haven't seen each other for almost 10 years and it was really nice seeing her again, even only in photographs. Since it was on Facebook and friends can give comments, our other friends started reminiscing. I joined too, although, I was kind of late in my comments. It feels really nice to remember the good times and share those memories with my closest friends! I realized that they really are my closest friends. We've only been together in school for four years but the friendship lives on. Even if we have not seen each other for almost 10 years now and we only get to say hi and chat a little through e-mail, text messages and comments on Facebook, I know that the friendship we all have will forever be there. Oh how I miss them and love them of course!

Crafting Tools

I really did caught the blog hopping bug! I just came from "Tools Are For Women Too" blog and I was drifted back to memory lane. I remembered the day when my hubby first saw my arts & crafts paraphernalia box. He was surprised that I have these little pliers, glue gun, glue sticks and other tools. I had them because at one point, I really wanted to make some costume jewelry pieces to accessorize my office uniforms. But work did not really gave me time to craft (I was so busy that I have to do overtime work on Saturdays). Then I met my husband, got married, resigned from my busy working girl life and moved to his hometown in the countryside. I have always loved country style decors, so I was very excited to do some crafting! Anyway, after my hubby saw my tools and interest in making craft projects, he taught me how to use an electric drill, so that when he is away at work and I need to hang some of my projects, I'll know how to do it. He also taught me how to work with hinges and cutting metals. Sometimes, when I'm working with my tools, I also get to think that they may look like tools for men, but they are made for crafty women too! I am actually wishing to have those colored pink tools. It's so girly girly!

Yesterday, I have put those little tools to work again (hmmm... I think my long nose pliers need to rest and be replaced now). I made an amethyst colored necklace to wear with my plain purple t-shirt. The necklace is made of glass beads, metal spacers in antique gold, delica beads and the clasp is a heart & arrow toggle lock in antique gold. Here's a picture!



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Playing in the Rain

We had a heavy rain today here in our place. There was a loud thunder and flashy lightnings. I was enjoying my blog hopping when the power went off. With nothing to do anymore, I went outside to check our yard. Then I saw the children in our neighborhood playing and bathing in the rain. They were really enjoying it. I then remember and missed my father. When my sister and brothers were little, our Papa lets us bathe and play in the rain. Sometimes, he would join us. Well, those were the days, but I'm glad I have those memories to cherish with our father. I miss you, Papa!

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Wai Lana's Kitchen Tip of the Day

Hi! I posted Wai Lana, a yoga and natural health advocate's kitchen tip of the day in my other blog. It's about Gingers.

Ginger

I am a facebook follower of Wai Lana, a popular Yoga and Natural Health advocate.

Wai Lana's Kitchen tip of the day: Besides lending zest, vitality, warmth, and energy to fruit and vegetable juices alike, ginger helps conditions like asthma, cough, cold, congestion, flu, high cholesterol, water retention, nausea, irregular or painful menstruation, constipation, and poor circulation.

Here's a simple recipe of Wai Lana's ginger tea (from her post Ginger for Winter Ills, Oct. 16, 2009):

2 cups water
¼ cup diced fresh ginger
2 tsp. honey

Boil the water, then add the ginger and simmer for about 20 minutes. Strain into a cup and add 2 teaspoons of honey (or to taste). If you like, you can add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the pot to increase the stimulating, heating effect. Let me forewarn you now, though: This tea is fiery! Sip it—don't gulp it down.

Social Linking Party

Last year and until recently, I have taken a vacation from blogging, and since I came back, I have seen so many linking parties. I'm actually overwhelmed from visiting and reading so many wonderful blogs. I have learned so many new things, tips and ideas. And from then on, I am looking forward to blog hop every time I'm online. I'm glad I went blogging again! Stay happy everyone!

I'm linking to:

Scrapbook Picture Frame

When I was shopping for a gift for my friend's baby shower, I saw this baby towel blanket with the word "baby" in the hood. The letters are four different fabric cut-outs and it looks so crafty. My friend and I both love to craft and I am sure that she would really like it. Since it cost a little bit lower than my budget, I decided to look around for something to add to it. I wanted to give her scrapbook materials, so I went to the arts & crafts section. Then, I saw this solid wood picture frame. An idea of making a scrapbook like picture frame then came to my mind. So, I purchased the frame and one set of scrapbook accessories. I painted the frame in sky blue, then stick the accessories and this is how it looked after.



Linking to:

Re-naming My Blog

It's been days now that I kinda feel uncomfortable with my title of my crafting blog. I've changed it three times already. The first one was Mayje's Crafts. Then I changed it to My Crafting Journal and lastly, My Crafts Journal. But I still wanted something. I wanted it to sound simple yet catchy... with a very website-y sound. And today, I have settled in calling it Crafty Hour.

Goodbye... Tara Road!

Today, after two long nights of reading Tara Road by Maeve Binchy, I am putting it to the bookshelf. It was really a good read and I'm actually sad that I finished it already. The story is quite interesting and very engaging, that I can't seem to put it down even if it's already around three in the morning! Today, I am still yearning to read more. I can't seem to wait to go to the mall and look for another novel!

Bag Charm & Cellular Phone Charm

My niece just started her freshman year in high school and my sister gave her a new cellular phone as a gift. To adorn her new phone, I made her a cellphone charm. I had this cute little enamel shoe charm which I got originally from a keychain with five different designs in it. Then, there was still the handbag design so I made her a matching bag charm. My niece was very happy. I am too! I was able to create something that's pretty, useful and doesn't cost much because the materials just came from my craft stash box. The joy of crafting!



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Beads and Crafts!

When my laptop suddenly needed a re-format, I wasn't able to save a lot in my files. Included are all the pictures of my fashion jewelries. I remembered I had an old blog page where I posted some of the pictures, so I went to retrieve them and post them here. They're just simple designs but I love them anyway!

Aromatherapy!

I finally found a Lemon Grass Fragrance Oil. I've been looking for it since last week. I first experienced it's scent in the wellness spa that I went to. It was so soothing, energizing and yet calming! I like it so much that after I had my massage, I asked the receptionist if they happen to sell one! Sadly, they don't. So, the hunt for the elusive oil (well, until today) was on last week. I tried to look for stores that I know and think sells essential oils, but they don't have it. One store has a scented candle of it. Had I not seen one today, I would probably try the scented candle. Anyway, today, I went to another mall. I looked for it in the oils section and the sales assistant couldn't find one. So, I went away. When I passed by that section again, a tealight candle holder caught my interest. Beside it was a little group of fragrance oil and when I looked them up, there was a Lemon Grass scent! I'm so happy and right now, I'm enjoying it's soothing fragrance. The bliss of aromatherapy!

Tara Road... First Chapter

Started reading Tara Road today. It was a novel by Maeve Binchy. It was one of the books I bought at the booksale three days ago. It's pretty good, well, I couldn't really say so since I'm still in chapter 1. But in any rate, the story seems interesting. Looking forward to continue reading it in a while. I'm still so happy though that I got the book for only P15.00!

Surprise in my E-mail!

I got an e-mail from Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano Murillo! It was a reply to the e-mail I sent to her a couple of days ago. It was such a quick response! Maybe I would print it and paste it to her book! I really like it when a book has a personal authograph from the author or a personal note from the giver of the book.

The Bell and the Clock...

I went back to Chez Rose today to buy the "bell" that's been on my mind for days now. There were three designs a bird, a cow and the three ducks (the classic country style theme). I chose the three ducks. I would have paid for it and bring it home when I saw this wooden wall clock with a lighthouse painting. I love it but it's more expensive than the bell and the combined price, was, well not on my budget. The sales assistant told me that they accept lay-away plans, so, I ended up having the two items put to the plan. They would be up for three months... and then, they would be mine!

Oh! I forgot to mention. As I was contemplating on the lighthouse wall clock, the sales assistant showed me two other designs. One is a garden theme and the other is a beehive with the word "honey" in it. I love three of them! I mean, I have always love those design themes. I asked the assistant if I could change it in case I change my mind and she said I could (well, if the other designs are still there). So, I'm quite in a confused state right now about it. Which one will I get?

Lighthouse - would become part of my lighthouse collection.
Garden - I love gardening and I love drawings/graphics of birdhouses, watering can, garden gloves and flower pots. It's pretty and eye-catching. I'm quite drawn to it.
Beehive - I love graphics related to honey. It would be a nice decor for our kitchen.

Art de la Soul

I was in a booksale yesterday browsing the cookbook section when I chanced upon an arts & crafts book. It was priced so cheap from what I think it's worth, so I did not think twice in buying it. The book is titled "Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul" Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life by Kathy Cano Murillo.

I can say that the book is really a crafter's dream book. It features simple, pretty and chic craft projects. It is also full of funny and witty stories from the author. Her tips and advises are so inspiring as well.

I just love the book! I can't wait to finish reading it and try my hands on the projects.

Momilies & More Momilies

Momilies & More Momilies As My Mother Used to Say by Michele Slung

I recently bought this book at a booksale for a good price of P20.00! Not only is the price good, but the book itself is really a good one. I enjoyed reading it to myself, as well as, I had fun reading it to my three grade school nieces. They too liked it!

The book is a compilation of phrases and anecdotes that were spoken by mothers. Some are serious and some are quite funny... and you really have to read between the lines to get what they mean.

Some of the phrases that I like are:

"Don't cross your eyes or they'll freeze."
"If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing well."
"Be careful what you wish for, you might get it."

Trip from the Bookstore!

Went to several bookstores yesterday looking for a local home decorating magazine where it featured houses from my hometown and the home of my high school classmate. Sad to say, they are not available anymore.

Anyway, as I was browsing some cookbooks at the Booksale, I saw this arts & crafts book with a very low price (not surprising since it's a book sale, some books do happen to get lost!). I know it would be a good book and with it's price, it surely is a good buy. The book is "Crafty Chika's Art de la Soul" by Kathy Cano Murillo. A craftaholic Mexican-American from Phoenix, Arizona.

The other book I bought is Tara Road, a novel by Maeve Binchy. It was priced really cheap, so I didn't think twice in getting it. I cannot tell yet if it's a good one, but I have read quite a few novels by Maeve Binchy and I did liked them. So, I'm pretty sure this one will be worth it.

I will be posting my review after I'm done reading the books in my Reading Matters page.

My Fashion Jewelry Making

I officially started making fashion jewelries around June 2009. I was window shopping for a Lucky Charm or Feng Shui Bracelet, when I came upon a small kiosk that sells these items. The owner was so nice and chatty. She mentioned about her recent basic jewelry making seminar as part of the mall's summer activities. I asked if she also sell basic supplies like the headpins, eyepins, earhooks, nylon and beads. She does! So, I ended up buying some supplies, beads, crystals and semi-precious stones. She also gave me some design ideas, tips and advises.

I already got the basic tools at home and I know the basic techniques. The sales clerk where I bought my tools before taught me how to use them, like making a loop using the round nose pliers. I bought those pliers when I tried my hand on making a bracelet with swarovski crystals. The bracelet was a success, but I haven't made anything again for more than a year.

Right now, whenever I don't have anything to do, I make some earrings and bracelets. I have sold a few, gave some as gifts and make personal ones for myself. I made a multiply account for my fashion jewelries.

Painted Pots

One afternoon, when I had nothing to do, I took my potted plants in the garden and started painting them. I enjoyed the project!