Challenge Day 81 - Searching n Strategy

Picture frames are waiting for my masterpieces ....

I spent some time searching and comparing prices for different art materials, including new fonts, papers and ideas today. I am looking for ways to improve the finished execution. It must be the old professional habits. Everything have to be organized and ...perfect.

Today is also my strategic planning day. Just looking at the list of masterpieces I have been creating ...should be ready very soon. Next step would be listing... I heard some bloggers were telling me listing take up heaps of time. Will do it one step at a time.

Btw, do you know that Mr Minzy draws too? His artwork is very different than mine. He is creating something different than his usual style so that he could learn some tips from me on how to digitalize his work. I reckon his work would be very different cuz it is very unique. I told him he should give it a go cuz not many male crafter or male creator is in the handmade industry. I thought it would be a challenge interesting for him. :)

Back to more creating at the working desk....

Challenge Day 80 Part II - Creative Print

Maybe it's Easter long weekend end of this week. Blogging land is albeit quiet. Hrmm..

Felt restless even I have well spent most of my time playing with designing & layouting at the studio today. I can see that am getting braver and braver unveiling more and more of my recent masterpiece from my post.

So I was sorting some of the pre-loved baby clothes for Peanut 2 nights ago. And decided to wash them before packing them into the labour bag which we going to bring with us to the hospital. Mr Minzy was chuckling at how cute and small some of those baby clothes were. I have to say these is our next stage of life. I like to smell those freshly washed baby clothes. So looking forward smelling Peanut when she's born...not so much on the poop.. ;)

Hopefully the restless feeling will be gone. Maybe just feeling albeit lonely and need some companion today. Oh well...tomorrow will be better.

Challenge Day 80 - Umbrella

So I was drawing some umbrella of late. First was for one of the concept for the baby shower's invitation....then I started to draw many of them for some reason...[lame reason again].

Sexy color

hrmmm...polka dots!

I found this blog - Bellaumbrella by accident. Some of the vintage umbrellas are only for lease for occasion like wedding and events. Hrm, I like some of them but not sure will I bring them out.

Another site - Umbrella.net selling something similar from Bella Umbrella too. Anyways, have a browse..which type of umbrella do you fancy?

Challenge Day 78 & 79 - Creative Updates

custom made envelope..night shot hence the odd lighting....

one of the baby shower's concept...

Here's some updates from my creative studio. I have been tied up with both creative adventure from my studio and my personal life. The busier I get, the more I felt as if I was back to workplace, just like old days. Quite a funny feeling isn't it? One thing I have learnt for the past few days was I have to step out from the studio and do something if I ever get bored. Note to self: Doing so is good for you!..... before you get bonkers! :D

I have been spending quite some time custom make my own envelope while building my portfolio up and running. The creative challenge seems never ending. My intuition was like telling me stop drawing and do more digital work please hey! You have to know that it is now Challenge Day 79 and imagine how many concept sketching I have drawn so far. They are all waiting for me to make them into another masterpiece of mine.

Meanwhile, I have noticed there has been some changes on how the way I draw. Not sure is that a good change or a bad change. Maybe needs to take a break and do something different. Maybe....

Challenge 77 - Baby Shower Planning

A screen shot of one of the design..

Remember that I mentioned I have quite a few projects in my plate which am working on at the moment? Well, this is one of them. As some of you may have know that neither Mr Minzy and my family living in the same state. Basically our relos are living far from us. So making friends from scratch is part of our lives living in Melbourne.

So I tend to precious each gf who values my friendship with them as the older you get. My personal experience is that the older you get, the harder you meet friends who are a keeper. Apparently one of my lovely gf - Helen proposed an idea to me that she wants to throw me a Baby Shower for us. She also mentioned that let's break the traditional and let's involve the men! I really like the idea. Only thing is that Mr Minzy kept telling me "Baby Shower is a girl thing!" Hehe ;)

So given this is my first ever Baby Shower and it's for my own baby. I have no idea what to expect. I guess I will just do my part..at least have some designed invitation be sending out to some of my friends. I have to say that I have been blessed to have friends who care (leave alone my mood swing drama during my first 2 trimester) and offered helps when we least expected. It is awesome! The EDD is getting closer, the busier we are getting.

Challenge Day 76 Part II - I do not know

I have no idea what I wanted to draw today. These is exactly what I drew few minutes ago. Wave lines...but with beautiful colors (in my imagination world). Hrm, not sure. My creative juice is running low today it seems. All I wanted to do now is work on more digitalize of my masterpieces. Uhm, maybe..wanting to be a more organize person on top of a few projects am having in my plate at the moment. My heart is thinking of the execution how to packaging my goodies. Am I the only person who get so anxious (Ms Perfectionist!)?

Challenge Day 76 - Mid-Century Modern's stalking

Always want a cabinet like this in the lounge..or something similar

Very strong feature elements to hang on the wall

Love those seat cushion and the combination of it

Yummy! :)

Noice...Verner Panton Design

Another Verner Panton Design

Ahh..I want that dining table set!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Mr Minzy will love that wood feature wall too!

I enjoy browsing at what others are doing in their creative space on and off. I found them to be so inspiring. Today, am stalking at Mid-Century Modern furniture for a change. I have a thing when comes to home decor, arts, interior just in case you do not know yet.... :)

Please bear in mind that all these images are for inspiration purpose and personal references only. You can visit Desire to inspire for more. Or to Jo's Photostream. Give Verner Panton Design's link a go. I am glad to found him through this inspiring stalking today. Love his works and was just questioning myself how come I have not heard of him when I was at uni.

Challenge Day 75 Part III - My LATE Wish List

Here

Damn! Am slow again! She is gone before I could hit the purchase button again! Why OH Why! Shopping online is addictive!! ahhHHhhhhHH! HeLp!~

Challenge Day 75 Part II - My Creative Space 6

Printing one of the design...

Custom handmade envelope

Ready to cut....

Another one too...

Standing up straight...make mama so proud :)

My inspiration strikes me just when I thought I am giving myself a break from participating the weekly My Creative Space! It is getting later and later every week joining the long list but I tell you what. It's never too late alright?! ;)

Ok. It takes courage to share and am just going to unveil albeit more of my masterpieces (I like to call them that way!). I am trying to build more of my portfolio so that I can launch my e-store. Just please be patient with me as I cannot unveil the name and link to my store as yet. Having said that, I really enjoy my day today. Cuz I felt as if am back to work like old days..the differences is that I have LOUDER music at the background and my hair is messy and am still in my pj. One of the beauty of working from home. Muhahahah...

I can see more productive day on digitalize all of my hard work into beautiful prints and etc. Can't wait! I hope you enjoy and like my sneak peek images so far. Head over to Kirsty's My Creative Space and see who else is playing this week. Happy Blogging all! :)

Challenge Day 75 - My First Purchase at Etsy

Here

Here

Gotta have this!

So there you go. My first purchase from Etsy and it was from DearSukie's store. How cute are they?

My Wish List

I sometime wonder will my taste of choice be different when Peanut is born. Looks like I would still prefer things with albeit of design, quirky, whimsical, unique, cute and funky. It seems like am still myself after all. Sweet.

Challenge Day 74 - Wandering Day (Long Post)

My day was filled with heaps of waiting and waiting. First up I had at least 2 hours (because I don't have a car) to spare wandering around at nearby shopping district where my schedule check up from the clinic. Was really restless honestly! So I went into this op shop and found this fabrics. Mr Minzy thought it was bit granny. But I like the bright color and could be good for my next soft toy making project! What do you think of them?

So after the restless and walking around in that district and am done with my appointment with the midwives team. I headed to the train station....ok, preggie woman cannot run cuz the train just arrived and I was still walking across the road..nvm... I waited for the next train to come.

Then I headed to this particular bank in the city as I needed to sort certain things with them. Poor customer service and was waited there for many minutes and the bank people just walking up and down and no one ask me if I was look after. I am considered new customer with them. The reason I have an a/c with them is due to there's no monthly fee. Crap service I have to say. Guess how I resolve my OWN matter? By using their phone speaking to the call centre after waited for 40 mins in the bank. So you be wrong to assume you could get a face to face customer service. Not anymore! Shame on you!!

So waited and wasted my time..and I thought I should get moving before my 2 hours tix is running expire. I hopped onto one of my train. Trust me, I saw my bus arrived just when my train arrived at the stop I have to hop off. I did not know that the bus had decided to make a U-turn and drove and parked at the traffic light and ready to go (there was still 2 minutes to go). How can you expect passengers to run after the bus like those young kids after school? Aren't they insane? So due to it was the first time hopping onto that train. Didn't know the way they operate like that (I see now). I had to sit there and sweat over if the bus ever arrive before my tix is expire. Anyways, it worked out I was ok.

We were out for our weekly social group after dinner last night. Don't get me wrong. The group has always been a supportive lovely people. But I just wasn't very chatty as I usually do. I just felt - Just leave me alone. All I wanted to do that night was to sit back and relax and chill on my couch...and not talking to anyone...and DO NOTHING.

* * * * * * * *

I now understand how Mr Minzy felt. Due to his nature of his work, he had to deal with "different kind" of people at work everyday. Unlike me, just had to deal with computer, graphics & ideas, ex bosses in the past. No wonder he came home sometime and needed his peaceful mind while sipping his coffee for his "ME TIME".

Challenge Day 73 Part II -Sketches for the day

I had quite a productive day today. I have managed to juggle with many things at one go. GoD made women multi-task-able. Gotta love that! :D

Challenge Day 73 - My Wish List

She is gone before I could hit the purchase button....

Challenge Day 72 - Woman at work

woman at work.....indeed...

Challenge Day 71 - Inspiration Strikes

I tend to have some very creative inspiration strikes me when I was paying attention on something else. LOL! These is definitely a very strange experience for me. It never happen to me until recently.

So maybe I need to record all of those ideas so that I can take time to visualize them one by one. Am trying not to spend too much money on more raw material as we are shopping for Peanut's items of late. I have been doing good without having any maternity jeans throughout the whole pregnancy. I am at 33 weeks pg and guess what? I am so over and done with.....looking forward for the BIG day to come!

As for the challenge motto wise. Just feeling lazy and albeit of procrastinating at the moment. It seems like am more keen to sit still and draw during the evening than the day time. Will update a picture for the day much later (DONE!). Need to spend some quality time with Mr Minzy after dinner instead of sitting in front of the computer for now.

Challenge Day 69 & 70 - Brain Fryday (Fri) & Saturday market

Bought this at the market

Challenge Day 69: It was another tiring, long Friday for us. Had a not so pleasant experience at the hospital today. Just pray and hope that everything be going smooth and well on the actual labour day.

Challenge Day 70: Made an effort to stop by Magnolia Square Market (MSM) at St Kilda Town Hall in the arvo. It was my first time at the MSM. Saw some really wonderful crafter and some true blue handmade. Was albeit of let down (honestly) cuz not all of them are handmade. Some brands which are worth mention (that I like) is Lauren from Oktoberdee. Was v tempted to purchase one of the bag....sigh. Due to it was handmade by Lauren herself so the price is almost like NancyBird. Maybe one day....I will be able to purchase and own one when my shop is earning profits.

Met Caitlin from Pippijoe too! I like her screenprinted textiles..long time! Oh. Another talent worth to mention whom I met at MSM yesterday too. Wendy from WendyJune who happened to be an illustrator herself too.

Thoughts:

It seems to be quite common for most talents to take up about 2-3 years before their store and brand be established. I have learnt that handmade market can be a hard 'industry' to enter. So one has to ensure your product is very unique and special AND NOT just another imitator. Cuz Mr Minzy had a quick detour when I was chatting with Wendy and he told me much later that how come all crafts and handmade are not for men? Good point babe. And he also mentioned, there's too many imitation going around...and was sick and tired looking at owl. Haha..

and this at St Vinnies

We decided to stop at St Vinnies on our way back. I found this set of red mail box container? Anyways, I like the color RED. It cost me 5 bucks for the found. Initial thought was to use them as part of the kitchen but after some thought...might use them in the studio instead. :)

Challenge Day 68 Part II - My Creative Space 5

I am taking very easy today. Was catching up some reading on the couch while feeling Peanut moving around in the bump. Not too long to go now... :) Then moved on to catching up some decent sleep this morning (I haven't been having a very nice sleep of late) ...but the neighbor's kids were bit noisy. So I decided to hop on to the computer and do some digital designing work instead.

So I have posted this not too long ago.. from a distance perspective. I have to say this style of drawing is absolutely very different from what I usually do. Have fun, Playful and Light were in my mind when I was creating them. Anyways, I have decided to unveil one of my work to participate My Creative Space this week.

As you can see, albeit of experimenting in colors...was actually trying to see which masterpiece suits the wooden frame though. It's albeit of shame that I couldn't take a decent photo today. Anyhoo I thought the Blue Vase looks better though...what do you think?

Head over to Kirsty's blogland and see who else is playing this week.

Challenge Day 68 - Sketching for the day