♥Littleclouds Blog♥

Happy Chappy

2011-05-06T15:57:00.004+08:00

Annoyingly, I'm struggling to get the email working for it though so for now, will have to stick with the usual meow@littleclouds.co.uk one.

I am very very happy with it and thinking of doing some giveaway or coupon or something to mark the occasion, but not sure what......any ideas?

New Stockist - Indie Cindy

2011-04-29T13:59:00.007+08:00

In my last post I mentioned 2 new stockists, the first being 'The Maisonette' in Glasgow and the 2nd I didn't want to reveal until my 1st package had safely arrived and now it has...I can proudly announce it to be INDIE CINDY in Leeds, UK !

Indie Cindy is the creative baby of Rowan Grant of KitschenSink and the official launch party is THIS Sunday! (forget the whole Royal Wedding affair pffff!) So if your nearby or without anything to do skip down to the Birds Yard in Leeds to ahhhh over the pretty things on offer, some massive favourites are there including Love from Hetty and Dave, Magasin and FinestImaginary! The Facebook grapevine is also telling me that there will be delicious cakes from Off the Cuff Cakes to nibble on...now, if only teleportation exists !

Hola !

2011-04-14T21:26:00.003+08:00

*blows the cobwebs away*

Wowieee has it really been 3 months since I last blogged?!

I can't say its because not much has been happening or that I've had nothing to write about, its probably more the opposite in not knowing where to start ! But as they say, better late than never....

So what have I been up to? ........ *drum roll*

I went to ♥ Japan ♥ and it was totally and utterly amazing (so amazing that I will dedicate a separate post to it another time)
Littleclouds has added 2 stockists ! The first being The Maisonette - Made in the Shade and the second I'd like to reveal a little later as it is yet to officially open but I can tell you I can't wait to see the photos of the launch as I just KNOW it will of been a job good done.
We quite abruptly decided to stay in Hong Kong! The reason is a combination of things but mostly because we're enjoying our time here and why the rush? I think we moved here on the idea that it would only be for 2 years that we never thought to just stop and ask ourselves what we want to do. This time around we're not setting ourselves any time limits or ideas, we're just going to see what happens...
We bought a flat ! Which is kind of the opposite of what we were planning 2 months before but since we knew we were staying for the immediate future and our rental lease was expiring we just thought might as well ! All you rentees will understand what I mean when I say how tiring and unsettling it is to rent! So we are so excited to have our own place! And paint our walls and to choose our own furniture. The flat is a bit small (tiny compared to UK standards...even compared to London!) but it is ours and we will have a balcony which means I can attempt to grow some herbs or veg!
A new website is coming! Its actually quite embarrassing how long this has been coming along but its my fault, I kept changing my mind about how I wanted it but its been churning along for a while now and its nearly complete.....I can almost taste the finish line!
I made a facebook page! I literally JUST now published it, it is here --> Littleclouds and I will be great for any likes (no one likes to see an empty fan page...especially me ha!)
And and and I'm pregnant ! well I'm not, I'm joking teehee! but that would of been funny if that were the case. Funny as in because everything appears to have happened at once, not because I find pregnancy a funny subject as it really isn't (I watched 'One Born Every Minute' its pretty much set me back another 5 years in the making-babies stakes....)

STAY TUNED !

EDIT - I'm not pregnant, it was a joke!!! Sorry

Happy sponges

2011-01-07T13:02:00.003+08:00

I'm not sure what the pink sponges meant to be but cute all the same! It really does brighten up doing the dishes. Funny how such small things can make you smile.

I got these from $10 JUSCO bargainous!

The Holidays - catch up

2011-01-03T12:14:00.004+08:00

I know its pretty late but Merry Christmas and Happy 2011 people!

I had a lovely Christmas, much better than I thought (maybe it was the low expectations) as I was feeling homesick imagining the tree, food, coziness and family at home in the SNOW (jealous) but it was good, a different kind of good, the low point was discovering our 'Christmas' dinner out didn't include the stuffing, roast potatoes or veg (the best bits!) as I was utterly looking forward to that BUT the best bit was finding out I'm going to Osaka, Japan in about 2 weeks !

To say I am excited is a major understatement. I'm worried I'm setting myself up for disappointment actually because I am THAT excited ! So I've got this big shopping list of things I NEED as there may be snow (EEEee!) and I didn't even ship a single coat here (mistake!).

And New Year Resolutions! I'm not the type to really do these as I think they are made to be broken! but but but I'm going to make myself go to bed early, goodbye 2am bedtimes, hello full productive mornings where I don't feel asleep and want to die.

Littleclouds wise, I've listed a bunch of new stuff over the last week or 2 with a few more yet to be photographed and listed but I'm going to start winding down within the next month or 2 to prepare for the big move of returning to the UK ! Obviously I want to ship as little as possible home and the shop will be shut for quite a while during the transition as I try to find my feet and settle but hopefully not as long as last time (2-3 months eek!).

I also received the most exciting emails regarding my work just before Christmas which can't really be revealed until Autumn next year but I admit to jumping up and down a wee bit to this one as I think its my best achievement to date by far but hopefully something between now and then will trump it heh!

♥ Here's hoping that 2011 will bring us all peace, happiness and love to us all ♥

The Woof and Meow guide to Hong Kong

2010-12-19T21:38:00.005+08:00

I can't believe I forgot to blog about this but a while ago I did a ickle drawing for a book in Hong Kong, its a guide to Hong Kong for pet owners that can be purchased here.

Its a bit random for me as I don't really seek out illustration work really but it came along so why not! And of all places it presented itself to me from my Facebook feed !

Thankful

2010-11-29T15:51:00.004+08:00

Just one of the few beautiful cards from Saplingpress

This year we had thanksgiving dinner for the first time.

Mostly for the food (nom!) but then the 'other half' is actually American born so you could say we were going back to his roots.......hmm nope it was literally just for the stuffing !

Anyway I'm really glad, its something I'd like to do every year actually now given the chance.

Forgetting the religious context, I think its an important idea to remind yourself of the things you are thankful for in order to really appreciate them.

Its so easy to forget how lucky we are (figuratively speaking!) and very very easy to get bogged down by the small potatoes in life and just feeling like the grass is greener on the other side so I dedicate this post to the things I am thankful for.

In no particular order and not exclusive (just what I'm feelin' in the moment!)

Health - I'm quite fortunate to be one of those people who isn't ill much of the time, I haven't been to the doctor in 2 years *touch wood*

Wealth - I'm actually very skint a lot of the time but relatively speaking I know I'm pretty well off and its something I've become quite aware of since moving to Hong Kong actually.

And I'm also luckily / happily one of those people who don't feel the urgency for the latest and greatest so that helps a lot (thank you stingy parents!)

Friends and family - My family aren't an open book with one another, nor a completely closed one. We're more like the coffee table magazine that is occasionally flicked through. You know its there ready for you when you need it essentially. Thats probably a weird analogy (a habit of mine!) but that really makes sense to me !

Anyway, there are other things but these are at the core of it all so enough for now, what are the things you are thankful for? Have a think and really feeeeeel it, it makes you look out the window in a much brighter way which is nice.

Seven Things....

2010-11-09T13:56:00.009+08:00

'Seven little things' by elizabethtaylor

I've been tagged by Emily to reveal 7 things about myself (you can see the last 7 here!)

I actually quite like doing these things, quite narcissistic of me but my excuse is in person, I can be quite private about things and don't tell people stuff unless I'm asked so now I've been asked well....

1) I'm a gemini. I'm not really into astrology, I don't read my horoscope because I'm not sure I believe in the possibility of being alike to millions of others based on my birth date BUT I do share the 'gemini traits' of dual personality.

That probably sounds scary and erratic, I am not a crazy cat lady (maybe dog lady...) but I do feel like I'm trying to combine the thoughts and wants of 2 people sometimes which leads to lots of indecision and thinking and debating which for an impatient person can be a tad frustrating.

The significant other in my life (not Noodles although he is close) is also a gemini and so is one of my best friends....now that could be coincidence or is it? dum dum dummmmm !

2) I love love love dogs. I used to ask my dad like everyday for a dog but being a commitment phobe I held off adopting until recently and now I truly understand what people meant when they say their dog is a member of their family.

3) I rarely drink alcohol. I think its nearly been a year since I've touched any now that I think about it. There isn't any reason to it other than the fact I think it tastes mostly rank and that it is quite costly for the drinks I do like (spirits) which are pretty much 85% pop so I just get 100 pop instead.

I'd love to enjoy the taste of beer or wine, the IDEA of it is really nice but it tastes so bad !

Actually, I really like pear cider that IKEA makes but the IKEAs here only sell the non alcohol version for some reason. Maybe I just need to try more wine.

4) Twins and triplets are meant to run in my family. This prospect absolutely terrifies me.

5) I don't / can't wear heels. This makes me sadface a lot because being a shorty, heels would compensate a lot but they are so uncomfortable, I don't know how others do it. And asides from the comfort factor, they are really difficult to walk in without looking like a toddler and there is nothing less sexy than a girl who is waddling along like a toddler in discomfort.

6) I'm an atheist. I would like to believe in the idea of there being a god, a greater being and there being 'a plan' for us all and even a heaven but I just don't. I would rather believe in Santa and the Easter bunny than believe in a god that doesn't allow good people into his heaven simply for not being a member of his 'team'.

7) When I was little I wanted to be a 'pet doctor' but I was quite rubbish academically. Growing up, I mostly followed the artistic, creative path but knew I didn't want to be an artist, I found the exhibiting side of it too stressful and a bit too laardeedar if you know what I mean.

Through Uni I was gearing myself up for graphic design and illustration but in all honestly I don't think I'm any good at either.

I still don't really know what I am or what I want to be (but most people don't either I think so its okay right?) I just know I want to stay creative and not sit 9-5, 5 days a week doing a job I find unfulfilling for what feels like the rest of my life.

In conclusion, I still think being a 'pet doctor' must be the best job in the world!

Right to carry this on, I am tagging Lucy from Peas and Needles and Louise from SuperDuper because they are aces and talented folk but anyone reading is welcome to do this too, just remember to let me know so I can read it :D

I broke my heart shape mirror :(

2010-11-04T19:00:00.003+08:00

and couldn't bare to throw it away so I after some trial and error made it into something useful.

New Stockists - La Belle Epoque & MakeRoom

2010-11-01T15:10:00.003+08:00

MAKE ROOM - Netherlands

You can now get my tea bag coasters at www.MakeRoom.nl, a very cool online boutique that showcases a very modern, funky collection of home products. The site is only in Dutch but the site is still worth a visit for the looks alone. I love their slogan too !

La Belle Epoque - Hong Kong

This is 'La Belle Epoque', a tiny little treasure trove of handmade products. I feel honored to be one of the few designers stocked here as the shop is so cute!

It oozes the passion and dedication that handmade designers often possess and although the shop is small, you could spend hours in there viewing the work presented, some of the detail in the products is astounding, I literally felt like I hadn't made an effort with my things when put amongst the others (Look, I'm currently in the window!).

Happy Halloween !

2010-10-31T13:16:00.004+08:00

SUPER NOODLES! I don't especially celebrate Halloween but I do LOVE the dressing up side of it so this year we couldn't resist now that we have a dog and one that doesn't dislike clothing! (not sure if he likes it, I think he is indifferent to it but enjoys the treats that came with it). More photos here.

We also went to Ocean Park during the day (didn't know about the halloween evening special event :((( ) and although I've been a gazzilion times now the views there never fail to take my breath away.

The weather is absolutely stunning here right now, everyday is a comfortable 22-26 degrees with blue skies, strong sun and wind yet would you believe me if I were to tell you that lots of people are wearing scarves, hats and winter coats?

Its insane, I feel hot just looking at them, just another funny thing about Hong Kong I guess, if I were good at drawing, I think I would have to make some sort of comic/graphic novel/guidebook about it, there are just SO many things that are quite quizzical and interesting to see or know about!

For example; Most modern high rise buildings will intentionally miss out the 4th floor (I think 14th floor too) because the word 4 sounds like 'die / death' in Cantonese and the 8th floor is attractive (not sure why, something to do with luck or wealth) meaning 8th floor flats are more expensive because of this superstition.

Also the reason why a lot of prices are $48, $98, $8888 etc

Lastly! I'll be organising a giveaway soon as I passed the 200th sale mark on my Etsy so stay tuned.....

rabbits have good taste

2010-10-22T14:21:00.002+08:00

Just doing my randomly-once-in-a-while feedbacks on Etsy and discovered this customer appreciation photo! SO cute! I've got a big soft spot for rabbits, I think they are underrated.

And this photo reminds me of a recent purchase which is also bunny related, these shoes from Em and Sprout (I also got this sailor tshirt from her).

And no I won't be wearing it with my bunny top as that might be over doing it !

I know how you are meant to calm-it as you age-it and being no spring chicken anymore I should be looking at more mature clothing (blue rinse anyone?) but yeah whatever I like these things too much to deny myself them and I figure that I look young (I think!) so get away with it (I hope) and who wants to be another cookie cutter 20 something year old anyway?

How do you store your necklaces?

2010-10-21T22:38:00.005+08:00

I've been meaning to quickly mention this in the hope of some better suggestions but this is how I'm starting to organise the few necklaces I have in stock for transporting to craft shows etc.

Its works but there must be some genius idea out there somewhere! Any readers out there like to share how they store their pieces? pretty please?

I'm also having a BYE BYE sale right now on all greeting cards and character dolls because I'm discontinuing them so cards are only $2 USD / £1.25 / $15 HKD and the character dolls are all $7.75 usd / £5 / $60 HKD !

this, that and the other

2010-10-07T12:24:00.004+08:00

This is me at the craft fair I did recently, you can't really see me but I am behind that yellow wall bit with the umbrella! I didn't even know this photo was being taken !

It went well, sold a bunch of stuff, received money from a stockist and made some new connections for further stockists but it was soo hot that that alone sidelined everything so apologies to anyone who may of had to witness my grumpy face, it is usually quite friendly.

I've been up to quite a lot recently creatively, I've got lots of new products for the shop which are slowly getting listed.

I've been doing a large commission for someone, a set of custom character dolls for a big family and although I do draw I don't actually think I am very good at all so have always been hesitant to do custom work incase they turn out to hate it but I'm glad I accepted this one as I'm happy with the results actually, you can see some of the drawings here.

I've also been doing some drawings for a Hong Kong animal organisation and it is looking like I will have a small drawing published on a book so that has been exciting to say the least !

And through this pet organisation I'm participating in a promo pack so I've been busy sorting out new business cards for it which hasn't been simple grrrr!

Its a boy !

2010-09-22T11:31:00.004+08:00

Its been a while but I've not forgotten you Blogland.

So we finally adopted a dog from LAP on the 30th August and since then its been so fun!

I don't know if it it because this time it is different as he is my dog but its so much more everything (fun, rewarding, enjoyable!) than fostering.

He is perfect, a lovely well mannered little boy, he is a bit older than we wanted but better than we imagined in his dogsonality (see what I did there?).

Oh and his name is Noodles and he has a facebook page !

I won't go on about him here as I know it can be boring to repeatedly hear about stuff like that so I'll be keeping it on the facebook or other blog - 'Little Doodles and Noodles'.

I am also preparing for a craft show that takes place this Sunday (more info) which I am excited about as its been a while so do come by if you are local as I don't do them very often!

A fun interview - Friday is my day

2010-08-29T00:12:00.003+08:00

Friday morning cuddles

I did a super fun interview for Friday is a my day last week which can be seen here.

What I like about Fridays is that every Friday can be different because it is my day, my day off to enjoy the beginning of a relaxing weekend and really when I read my Friday from a 3rd perspective on the blog I felt pretty good! I really do love love love living so near water and its something we wouldn't be able to easily afford living in London so I feel very lucky.

Since the interview, Kira has left and I was pretty upset, when I say pretty I mean very.

So after lots and lots of discussion about it we've decided to adopt a dog and we're going to 2 adoption days tomorrow, I'm so FREAKING excited to finally have my own dog!

breathe in / breathe out

Now its always been a toss up between getting a Pug, a Chihuahua or Shih Tzu but we decided on a Pug for its comedic values plus their ability to look amazingly happy and shockingly sad the next minute.

Wish us luck and if you have any ideas for names feel free to share! (most likely a boy pug)

I made this --> a Hong Kong Treasury

2010-08-26T13:35:00.004+08:00

look here

I made a treasury, it took ages but me thinks I did good !

I've been a-making for this craft show I'm selling at and can't seem to ever find my camera cable hence the lack of blogging of late.

But a fun interview I did a while ago will be up tomorrow so stay tuned!

CLEO magazine feature

2010-08-19T22:26:00.004+08:00

A while ago I got contacted through Etsy about featuring Littleclouds in an Etsy guide, I sent some edited photos with white backgrounds but then didn't hear back and forgot about it all really but then tonight I googled 'CLEO magazine Etsy' and found a blog post from fellow etsian called Giggleberry Creations who was also featured and LOOK !

photos from GiggleBerrys Creations

I'm in the middle with the yellow 'Play Nice' purse with links to me in the footnotes, so cool !

HUGEST shop update

2010-08-04T18:15:00.005+08:00

HUGEST shop update by my standards anyway ! Over the last week I've listed a bunch of stuff on Etsy including the above pin cushion ring in a blue, pink and grey (for now).
Various bow designs on felt, sewn as keyrings, hair clips and brooches

And this 'carton of eggs' design onto tea towels and pot coasters (including limited handcut versions) and lastly I have 1 CLEANO NEATO tea towel printed & sewn up with more to eventually come once I master 2 colours on my DIY printing table.

Its been productive whatcanisay!

Just for fun

2010-08-04T16:33:00.002+08:00

If I ever find decent tshirts to buy wholesale I will start making some designs up, this one is just for fun for me on an old top but I think its looks pretty snazzy.

a productive weekend

2010-08-04T00:13:00.004+08:00

My makeshift printing table, some coasters for a shop order and lovely flowers.

Sneak peak

2010-07-30T13:11:00.001+08:00

Soon to come....

Airplanes

2010-07-27T00:42:00.002+08:00

These keyrings and brooches were added to the shop a while ago now and I'm due a bit of a largish shop update for a bunch of new stuff soon, mostly new designs made since the competition you all helped me with so expect home stuff, accessories items and some jewellery bits too.

I'm looking for some decent quality blank tshirts too! I'm planning to just walk extensively around this 'wholesale' area (Shum Shui Po) and hope I bump into some shops but if anyone from Hong Kong is reading, any shop names, streets etc will be gratefully noted !

Paint by numbers and my dying plant

2010-07-23T17:09:00.003+08:00

Both presents, the latter dying. I don't understand how I do it but I can't keep any plant alive for long. Thank heavens I don't have the same 'skill' when it comes to animals.

Talented sisters

2010-07-23T11:55:00.006+08:00

I have twin sisters who turn 9 this Sept and they are very very sweet.
They have these wild imaginations and ideas that I should really note down to embarrass them with one day when they're at that annoying teenager stage !

I asked them each what they wanted to be when they were older and Chloe wants to be a singing dancer and Sophy wants to be a singing vet, now that is innovation !

I will probably get asked to take this down.....

2010-07-19T17:11:00.006+08:00

but it is just too cute to not share ! Luckily the duck is slow to read my blog and therefore may not notice if I blog a few times after this post.

Pups went back 'home' on Friday :( miss their little licks. If only they didn't poop all the time *sighs*

EDIT
Funny video one and two and some more photos here (latest are at the bottom/end!)

A nice surprise

2010-07-13T17:15:00.003+08:00

teabag coasters in vtwonen

pin cushion watch in SewHip

My first bits of printed press in magazines, my papa will be proud !

drumroll

2010-07-12T16:33:00.004+08:00

And the winner is of my competition is....

woohoo! please email me at MEOW (at) Littleclouds.co.uk with what item(s) you want and I'll post asap for you :D

Well it was near enough unanimous that I should focus on more functional items which I have to agree with, I myself also will often only purchase something if I can 'justify' it in my head, that usually means I need to 'NEED it' or 'USE' it (yeah I know 'need' can be interpretive!).

SO I'm going to discontinue my character dolls for now, maybe they will reincarnate into more functional items at a later date but maybe not. And also put my paper goods to the back of the (design) closet, mostly because I've always been unsure of how they gel with my other items and also because greeting cards, along with the button badges yield very little money when sold online so maybe I will only sell those to shops in bulk or at craft shows.

Aaannnnd I'll be focusing more on items to use in the HOME > tea towels, pin cushions, coasters, organisational/storage ideas, decor etc, to WEAR > jewellery, accessories, totes and eventually tshirts.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in, I really appreciate your opinions, sometimes it is hard to see something when you are standing right next to it so seriously thank you!

Delay

2010-07-08T20:59:00.003+08:00

Sorry for the delay in picking out the winner for my competition, my brother suddenly arriving just made me totally forget about it all, about everything !

I will choose a winner at random on Saturday so stay tuned y'all

7 years tomorrow

2010-07-02T13:42:00.008+08:00

Can you guess where we are here? The clue is in the painting!

Tomorrow is my/our 7th year anniversary which sounds so so long! We did have plans to celebrate but my brother is arriving tomorrow from the UK so will see how that goes now!

7 facts of interest about 'US'

♥ I call him Duck and he calls me Bear, he loves bread, has big 'wings' and likes water a lot so it is quite appropriate. I'm not really sure why I'm a bear, I often ask if it is because I care.
♥ We pretty much lived together after a few months (although it wasn't intentional) and have barely been apart since.
♥ Together we have moved 6 times - Northampton, 3 difference places in London and 2 places in Hong Kong although the latter 2 were our first non flat shares! Felt/feels very grown up.
♥ We love traveling big time! Together we have gone to 15 18 countries and 23 26 cities and some of them more than once! Our first trip was to Paris.
♥ For our 1st xmas together he got me an alarm clock and a mini water dispenser. He wrapped the alarm clock in a bigger box so I couldn't guess what it was which made me think it was a HUGE gift. I cried with disappointment!
♥ My dad was not on board with our relationship at all. He took over 2 years to accept it and now he won't shut up and chatters away to him like I'm not even there. NOW my family often make out that I'm the lucky one to have him! family huh?
♥ When we first got together, I didn't think it would become serious, I even said to my friend that I predict we'd finish before August (we were going to Reading Festival together aha!)

It was hard to choose 7, so many more things I want to share but maybe next year...

(edit - somehow I managed to forget about 3 countries, one of which we went to 3 times, luckily the duck has a good memory!)

Directions needed

2010-06-25T17:58:00.011+08:00

Turning 25 has made me (want to be) focused! My problem is that I like too much stuff and I-like-to-do-what-I-like-to-do so I don't design within a set range or towards a consistent aesthetic, literally my shop is all over the place and being that my time is not infinite and 1 pair of hands can only focus on so much and seriously you would begin to think I had a problem if you could peak into my studio so enough is enough!

I need to redefine and learn to be selective, more is not best yes?

So this is where YOU come in what 'type' of designs/items/products do you like best from my shop and what do you like the least? What do you think I should make more of and what should I not bother with? (I'm thinking more generally rather than specific items).

To enter all you have to do is help me answer that question either by email MEOW@Littleclouds.co.uk or in the comments here and for 1 extra entry each, you can follow the blog, follow me on twitter and retweet

'Help @Littleclouds make some decisions! http://bit.ly/bnEWMA'

and in 2.5 weeks (Monday 5th July!) I'll pick out a winner randomly, maybe from a hat if I can find a hat or hat-like object !

Comments are now closed !

behind

2010-06-22T13:20:00.005+08:00

Eeepers nearly 2 weeks have whizzed by since my last post!

I haven't been up to much as its too horribly humid and hot outside to not feel grumpy after 3 minutes and more recently we fostered these 2 very young puppies which means I can't really leave the house for very long as they eat little and often...actually a lot and often and oh my god they toilet NON STOP! Its literally taken over my life!

You can see a few more pics on my flickr and the video is pretty cute too.

I'm also a tad behind on Littleclouds stuff, mostly shop orders but also new designs that have been sitting around on screens waiting to be printed.
Between domestic stuff like cleaning, puppy cuddling etc etc and my other work there just isn't much left over to feel enthusiastic about new ideas....there just ain't enough hours in the day I tells ya. I seriously don't know how other people do it, please if you have tips do let me know...

oooh and one of my best buds from home has started a blog which is exciting for me so get busy Lucy! And I myself have started another blog kind of, its just going to be my #dailydoodle images so that it is more organised date wise (although its currently rarely daily eep!)

Also a lovely lady called Emily Orpin blogged about me here, she has a way with words, I especially like her recent post about bringing back the word Happify which means to make someone happy which cannot be a bad thing.

Holiday pics

2010-06-11T23:26:00.005+08:00

Look how happy I am, that is my holiday face as soon as I step foot down on destination soil !
You can see more on my flickr here.

Some purchases from China

2010-06-09T22:12:00.006+08:00

Sadly mostly bought as gifts for my little sisters (twins!)

Back to normality

2010-06-08T10:33:00.002+08:00

Hello all ! Feels like I went away for AGES but its nice to be back in my own place with my things and the internet (the internet in China is restricted to big proportions, practically the only thing I was able to do was check Gmail, what is most worrying about it is that a lot of them don't realise its heavily censored).

Had an ammmazing time, the sleeper train was really fun, mostly because it reminded me of the train cabin in Harry Potter and also because I knew that it meant lots and lots of scrabble!
Our hotel was nice, the weather was pretty good and the food was really yummy, I had the BEST spinach & Aubergine lasagna, ughh just thinking about it makes me salivate a little.
But the highlight was definitely the bamboo raft ride down the Li River and/or the day we hired bikes, got to see so many beautiful sights (and some strange ones) I was totally in awe of nature there, those peak mountains are everywhere and at night they were lit up which I know sounds horrible and tacky but it was pretty cool.

I did feel at times like I was about to die from being ran over because people don't stick to driving on the roads and its generally a little chaotic compared to what I'm used to anyway.
And some of the motorbikes were electric (and often without lights) so you don't even notice them coming and the day we hired bikes was really fun I kept twitching in bed that night because of all the fear / adrenaline of the 5 hour bike ride, my parents wouldn't of approved of that bike ride. at. all.

Will pop up some photos soon!

Travelling essentials

2010-05-29T13:12:00.003+08:00

Shot an hour before leaving, made me really excited!
If you go to flickr you can see my notes of the contents :D

eeeee !

We're all going on a summmmer holiday

2010-05-28T12:20:00.003+08:00

Going to be away for a week as of tomorrow because its our birthdays (1 year & 4 days apart!) and originally he was going to take me to Phuket or somewhere beachy but I declined based on
1) increasing fear of flying
2) wanted to go somewhere new (last 2 trips were to Thailand)
3) living near the sea has striped away some of the attraction of a beach type holiday (although they are hardly comparable because the beach nearby ain't exactly fannytastic)....

SO we instead got ourselves visas (£120ish - ouch!) to go to China because we can get a choo choo there, I'm excited but nervous because I've never been on a sleeper before, I'm hoping we won't be put in a cabin with smelly, snoring, space invading men and I've been told they play annoying music throughout the train hmmm need to get some ear plugs...

Well looking forward to a week of abnormality without technology, just essentials plus some playtools - travel scrabble, some dicey word game, books & sketchbook.

We are planning to go to Guilin & Yangshuo via Shenzen then to Guanzhou before heading home but we'll see how that goes because you can't buy the train tickets in advance in Hong Kong so relying on the hope it won't be booked up !

Bling keyrings

2010-05-25T13:25:00.001+08:00

Bling Bling Bling!

Pika Package sneak peak!

2010-05-19T16:58:00.002+08:00

I've finished all of the artwork for my contribution towards the 'Go Travel' Pika Package project and hopefully will have the product finished in hand by tomorrow, I am pretty excited about this one!

#dailydoodle

2010-05-19T16:30:00.003+08:00

Today I decided to do a daily doodle, just anything once a day to get myself drawing and enjoying it again. I want to break down that wall where I feel like everything I draw needs to be final, for a specific cause or reason, hopefully through doodling more I'll develop more of a consistent style because I'm a little all-over-the-place right now.

I've also been thinking of scrapping all of my greeting cards and button badges and discontinuing them to make myself more streamlined and focus on my other products, less is more and quality not quantity yada yada but I'm not sure so doing a doodle a day might help me decide...maybe!

I won't be uploading the doodles here everyday, that might be tedious to some blog readers but I will be uploading them to my Flickr and Tweet them so those interested can follow them there and if anyone wants to join in just tag them #dailydoodle !

a recent commision

2010-05-18T23:01:00.002+08:00

AiChihuahua !

2010-05-18T22:50:00.004+08:00

I know they have a bad reputation for being annoyingly yappy and snooty but when I am ready to get my own dog I want a Chihuahua and hope it will be as nice as the one I just looked after!
It was amazing, like having a cat / rabbit but with the personality of a dog ♥

New stockist - Cherry Cherry

2010-05-08T12:12:00.003+08:00

A lovely new stockist in Norwich and my first retail shop in the UK !

And look how super cute the shop is ! (Facebook, Website, Blog)

through the twitter grapevine

2010-05-06T13:29:00.005+08:00

I discovered this Tate Modern project via twitterland where you basically send an empty envelope or package and they will display them unopened in the turbine hall !
So I'm doing it, just so I can say 'oh yes I've exhibited in Tate Modern oh yes' and generally be art fancy. Read more about it here.

Another project I'm doing is the 'Pika Package'. Aimed at artists and illustrators where we send stuff to each other in a random swap with some swag bags being sold or put into giveaways etc
What a snazzy idea! I love it! It does cost but only $25 and you get to advertise on Pikaland for that cost too so pretty bargainous for the fun + exposure + random pretty stuff posted to your door, I'm doing the 'Go Travel' theme and I have a month to get together 10 things !

Bling Bling Bling

2010-05-04T23:57:00.002+08:00

Approaching entirely new territory here but I've been doodling up a new range of screen printed wearable pieces and this is the first idea to wet my feet, see how it looked to open up more ideas etc but I'm pretty pleased with it!

Summer mode

2010-05-04T23:48:00.004+08:00

New roomie for a little while

2010-05-04T23:34:00.003+08:00

Problem solving DIY stylee

2010-05-02T12:58:00.002+08:00

So sometimes things I make are too small or difficult to put a LC label on there and I know it doesn't NEED to have LC on there but to me it is important to have brand ownership on the things I've designed and made but anyway....I set about the problem and viola!
A bit of glue with a wooden disc plus some spare letters from a DIY stamp later later I have myself a tiny name stamp...oh and a chopstick as handle!

Doesn't come out too well on felt though, maybe better if I'd stamped it when the felt was flat instead of bumpy from the filling but happy with the first attempt.

Sunny

2010-04-30T13:43:00.003+08:00

Last night I couldn't sleep till 4am which has messed up my day today but it is gloriously sunny and clear enough to just see Lantau Island in the far distance, I love mountains but only combined with water so I'm very happy here!
And I caught a small whiff of salty sea which made me feel like a child at the seaside but minus the ice cream...hmm must sort that out.

Today I am finishing off some stockist restocks then off to the post office today but I came across this really inspiring article earlier today from Tara Gentile on this site called 'Dailyworth' which you should read! It makes you feel like anything is possible if you believe in yourself and have perseverance which feels quite liberating in many ways.

Some recent experiments and makings....

2010-04-28T22:33:00.004+08:00

this and that and so on

2010-04-22T21:56:00.008+08:00

Today it rained hard, quite violently for a little while and when it suddenly stopped I looked out the window to notice the clouds had fallen....

I wonder what its like to stand inside a cloud, okay I know its just misty looking as that is what its like inside a plane but I wonder what it feels and smells like. I love clouds they are magical.

And then I made something new from an old screen I burned yonks ago. The flowery lining fabric is from this little sewing/fabric shop I used to always go to in Lewisham, god seems so so so long ago now. nothing important & E M P T Y inside

And this was the last photo I took of Sausage before he left last weekend. I still really miss him and feel a little regretful that we didn't adopt him, he had these amazing soppy eyes that really tugged at your heart strings :(

EGGCELLANT

2010-04-14T12:51:00.004+08:00

So I haven't been very active recently Littleclouds wise, other than catching up with shop orders and some restocks I've been in a creative slump it feels like ages ago since I've had fun with a new design. Tis catch 22, the worry of not being productive doesn't make you more productive etc so today I'm going to kick back and draw for a bit, maybe just do some random screen printing and try not to think about all the niggles of the world.

In canine world news, Sausage has been adopted and is getting picked up this Saturday.... boooohooo ! This photo is him crying 'NOOOOOOOO' when I told him the news, oh and the recipe book behind him is Eggcellant! *boomboom*

4 bits of news

2010-03-23T17:45:00.009+08:00

So item number 1 is the unveiling of a new stockist, HannahZakari which I was more than a little chuffed about as I've admired this online boutique for a long time and love their quirky slant on the whole gift buying saga so hurrah! And everything is in good old British pound sterling :D double hurrah!

Item number 2 is also the news of a new stockist in the shape of Almondtreeframes which is a gift shop cum frame making retail space in Australia ! It is a fairly new shop and I've been following their shop renovations and spying on all the other designers on offer on their blog here and if you go back a little you can see more photos of their lovely shop!

Photo from HKDR website

So news number 3 is we fostered a dachshund about a week ago now but been too busy to show and tell about him, hes a very sweet dog and I know it won't be long until he is adopted which makes me miss him already :(
Can anyone guess what his name is?! His name is....wait for it.......SAUSAGE!
I can tell you now its more than a little embarrassing to shout it out in public, especially when people can't actually see him and they just think I'm incredibly hungry or/and crazy.
I have a really funny video of him which I will upload as soon as I find the camera lead!

So far I've unintentionally announced my bits of news chronologically with my latest news being that I moved and I'm so so happy right now!
We've moved to another part of Hong Kong altogether and its less busy here and we're near the sea like 10 mins walk to the beach and its just pretty here, so far I love it and feel fancy in our lovely new flat and and and and one of the best things about this flat is that I will have a much bigger studio.

Photos up asap!

One for the archives!

2010-03-16T21:04:00.004+08:00

I received this in my inbox today (or was it yesterday?), possibly the cure for any disease I think, although I'm not a doctor so my medical advice is about as useful as contaminated oxygen.
You have to click on the picture to go see the soul weeping cuteness or click here. I'm easy.

Tadaaar!

2010-03-16T00:40:00.003+08:00

Forgot to show and tell the finished product of this post but here it is, I'm pretty happy with them, they are much more slick and who doesn't like a bit of colour?

news, news

2010-03-13T12:50:00.003+08:00

This whole week has been a little weird for me as we returned Blinky back to the kennel which I was / am really sad about but there is only so many times you can take a dog attacking you..well attacking my bf that is, he was really lovely and sweet to me. What I miss most of all is his little hellos in the morning, it was soo nice to have someone so excited & happy to see you and how insanely happy he got when I said the words 'walkies or chicken' (*sad face*)

In other not great, not bad but just news, news we're still waiting for a flat to come our way, it seems that every time we get our hopes up something happens and we don't know if these estate agents are lying or if this is some trick to get money or what, we just don't know what is normal and it is frustrating.

In some excellent news is I am soon to announce 2 new stockists, just waiting for confirmation that they have received my stuff before I do, I don't want to jinx things to get lost in the postal warp.

a little something over the weekend

2010-03-07T20:36:00.005+08:00

I got this lovely lovely fabric from a charity shop in the UK ages ago which I printed on a while back (remember?) and basically I got bored of it and only just remembered to make something of it this weekend and made it into a cushion so voila!
It feels really nice and squishy because I made a lining plus stabliser, going to make the filling as its an odd shape (I think) but what is the normal filling for a cushion polyfil or feathers?!

edit: since listed it on Etsy here.

Swap with Lucy from Peas and needles

2010-03-05T20:10:00.006+08:00

A bit late but better than never! I did a swap with Lucy from Peas and needles (also HolyGuacamole) and I received a nifty clip frame purse with lots of cool buttons (pay attention in particular to the sheep button at the bottom!)
Its the perfect size for throwing in all those little bits that get lost at the bottom of your bag and I love the mustard colour inside yum yum yum.

1 year in - LONG post

2010-03-03T21:06:00.010+08:00

This time last year I arrived in Hong Kong in the afternoon, completely jet lagged on the verge of tears and hysteria ( when I am really tired I feel like the world is ending) but oh my oh my, how a year goes by!
I think I originally thought how we'd be planning our flight back by now but we are staying another year for a lot of sensible not very exciting reasons and even looking to move to a different area of Hong Kong which is exciting because the area is near the sea, one of my 'to do before I die' things ticked!
So in the interests of interests I thought it might be interesting to write a few things I like about Hong Kong and maybe another ranty day I might write about the things I don't like about Hong Kong.

It is pretty pretty here
Okay when you think of HK you think of neon signs and city urban life but in between the concrete jungle is a lot of nature. I love how mountainous it is here and how you never feel far away from the sea. The trees and animals feel cool and exotic too like you always see eagles in the sky swooping around and turtles (terrapins?!) in ponds although I'm not liking the geckos or flying cockroach like bugs you get here but no rats hurrah!

The mish mash culture
Being a former territory of the UK and one of the most westernised cities of Asia it feels pretty extreme at times, you'll walk down a street of well known retail shops and pass a gazillion starbucks & McDonalds but at the end of the slick and shiny road there might be a temple or an wet market or a group of people practicing tai chi or this sword dance thing that I still don't understand.

How safe it is here
Coming from London, I actually sometimes laugh/choke at the crimes in the news and I do not joke when I say I've seen 20 policeman around a crime scene that essentially was just a man littering. I hear about the problems of drugs in schools, how it is a big issue but then I read the statistic that less than 3% of University students have ever had any experience with any type of drugs which I think is staggering!
What I'm trying to say is, is that it is really safe here, I've not ever felt in danger the whole year I've been here and would happily walk around in the am on my own.

Entrepreneurship
There are a lot of small businesses here, I do like the 'can do' attitude you often get, I don't know if it is because of relaxed laws or what but if someone can see a way to make money they will just do it, no 'ifs' and 'ahhhs' about it, do now, ask later.
As an example, there is a chair 10 mins away from me randomly placed near a main road advertising something for $20 hk / $2.60 us / £1.70, there is a phone number too.
So many times I've walked by wondering what it is, is it the battered chair that's up for sale ?
Then one day I walked by and a old man was giving another guy a haircut! and there was a mini queue for his services including suits ! I've yet to seen a female get their haircut there and no I'm not willing to guinea pig myself either.

Food & Transport
Compared to London, the transport here wins hands down. Okay the people trying-to-enter-before-letting-passengers-out is still there (maybe worse actually) but in terms of efficiency, cleanliness &prices its unbeatable, I can even afford to get taxis here, something I never did in London wooo!
Food is just everywhere and because its everywhere its affordable to do often without going to the same places, the same chains having the same thing which is nice although I've yet to have a really nice pasta dish here, once we had a lasagna arrive that had cottage pie style mash on the top. Wrong on so many levels.

10th Photo story

2010-02-28T23:29:00.004+08:00

I got tagged by Edwina Simone to do this photo chain thingy which was pretty fun, especially as it brings up such random photos you completely forgot about!

And the rules are as follows....

1. open your first photo folder
2. scroll to the tenth photo
3. post the photo and the story behind it
4. tag five or more people

This photo is from my 1st year of Uni when I was living with my boyfriend & a friend in London where our neighbours below was a betting shop and next door (to the right of the photo) was a gay pub (loud YMCA & Cyndi Lauper type music EVERY weekend amusing now but not at the time!)

Basically my friend quit his crappy retail job and begun a lifestyle of microwave instant noodles, take aways in his pants watching daytime telly (Nobody should watch Jermemy Kyle that often) SO my bf & I one day bored, thought it would be funny to make this sign of 'NEIL IS JOBLESS' hanging outside our flat to welcome him home one day thinking he would see the funny side of it (he did not) and maybe encourage him to start furiously looking for a job (he did not) and to think that was 5 years ago is a little scary.

Thankfully I am a little more mature and sophisticated than that now ;P

So now I'm tagging

Aisling Law
Lucy from Peas and Needles
Rowan from KitschenSink
Kelly from The Lost Earring
Elise of Argyle Whale

Some misprints

2010-02-25T12:54:00.003+08:00

I've been hoarding this meter of misprinted fabric for a long while because I knew there would be something cool I could do with it, just not what it was originally intended for.

Alongside it, I'd also been hoarding these embroidery hoops that '1 day' I would use for you know hand embroidery (fail) so I put 2 and 2 together...

The woman is from when I used to screen print my character dolls and the turquiose S is from my Rice Is Nice tote bag, a phrase I use often and each time I do, I still turn to my bf and go 'ahah see what I just said funny isn't it?' and he says no (with his eyes)

Back to the drawing board....

2010-02-25T01:24:00.005+08:00

Some of you may know of my cassette tape wallets that were screen printed, like so...

Well I recently went back to the drawing board of this and redeveloped the idea to do it in the most efficient way possible so out with the screen print and in with the spoonflower.

This way, every one will be the same and barely any material is wasted so what do ya think? Improvement or do you prefer the old screenprinted version ?

Little finds - FamilleSummerbelle

2010-02-24T19:09:00.003+08:00

Just saw this via Twitterland, the detail is amazing and an A2 poster of London map is only £35, now I just need a friend to have a birthday soon, now red or turquoise hmm?

whoop

2010-02-19T19:23:00.005+08:00

I know it may not be a big deal to many people but in the interests of future me looking back on my own blog I thought this was worth mentioning.
I've been on the front page of Etsy a small handful of times but never 'caught it live' before until the other day!
So special thanks to Kelly of 'TheLostEarring' for including me in her treasury, double happy fact is that for a nice change it was a very colourful treasury which I swear is as rare as an albino chipmunk!

Custom work - characters

2010-02-19T18:46:00.007+08:00

A custom order I've been working on which I'm pretty pleased with :D I might make one for myself because it is the perfect lay-your-head-on-it-whilst-reading size!

Monsters that melt butter

2010-02-04T12:32:00.003+08:00

This little monster looks like butter wouldn't melt but believe me it does melt and I've seen it !
He is so so so sweet towards me but sometimes not so much to my bf which is actually really worrying because I don't know how I could be naturally loving toward him if he ever hurt him, so I am getting a book out on his breed later to try to calm his aggression down 5 notches, the fact that the book will undoubtedly have lots of pics of cute puppies is just a pure bonus.

If anyone reading is a dog owner I would love some tips on how to handle him. He snarls really aggressively at him at specific times like if Blinky is next to me on the sofa & the bf is anywhere near us he will stand up & snarl at him, same if I am already in bed & Blinky is on floor or on bed too he will go nuts if my bf even looks over towards us, what is that all about?

Shredded paper is yummy

2010-02-04T12:08:00.003+08:00

Because of all the notepads I've been trimming I'm left with lots of shredded paper which I've been using to package some of my orders, its not really to protect it but sometimes the item looks all lonely in their bags (I mean in the tracing paper bag not loose in the mailing envelope btw) so I thought this was a good filler and kind of makes a little colourful paper nest for the item, maybe I am weird but I really like the crispness of shredded paper, to scrunch it up and see it move back and the little shadows etc but then I've always been into paper and pens more than barbies as a kid so maybe I am weird :D

2010-02-03T10:38:00.004+08:00

Ooohoohh I found out today that my pin cushion watc h was one of the featured items in the Etsy Storque (their blog for non Etsians reading) and also my 10 things I love about you notepad was featured on this really nice blog called 'YouaremyFave' (cheerios Google Analytics)which you can see here, there are some really nice comments! and lastly I'm in 2 treasuries here & here go click and comment!

And and and and the most exciting thing of all is we fostered a dog the Sunday just gone and he is dozing under my chair right now as I type.
He is called Blinky which is funny because he only has 1 eye right now (some other dog gave him beats in the kennel) so we have to put the cone on him when he starts itching his bad eye because its all stitched up which I'm telling you is so funny to see aha!
They warned us that he was aggressive and possibly hard to handle because he bites or snarls when stressed which has been his state of mental being for the last 6 months (and he is only 1.5 years so a big chunk of his life) and they did offer us to foster another dog that was easier but we decided that if anything he needed more help to regain some sanity because no one is going to adopt a stressed & aggressive dog but hopefully with some love and comfort with us he will ease out of his more destructive behaviors.

Photos later !!

the power of the internet (it is very powerful)

2010-01-29T11:36:00.007+08:00

So this morning I googled Littleclouds in the image section to see if any of my stuff would show up instead of photos of little clouds and it did! My airplane posties did twice, the first was from a blog (suburbanpenpal) that had featured them which I didn't know about (yeah good job Google Analytics, nice one) which lead me to find some really cool stuff like this

Owlyshadowpuppets

Which took me a while to figure out because I forget that Americans have to buy health insurance (crazy!) but what really struck me was the packaging! I use this type of tracing style paper myself to wrap stuff up but never thought to do anything pretty to it, I think its so clever!
Its cheap, simple, recyclable, easy to biodegrade & easy to change & customise, this is my kind of packaging.

Little finds - Cool flat in Hong Kong

2010-01-28T23:08:00.003+08:00

Got this video forwarded this morning, I don't really get how it is eco but the design & ideas of the flat is amazing.

If clicking the video doesn't work, try here.

This kind of flat design would work well in any city where decent accommodation is pricey although I think its more of a mans pad, not to sound like a girl but all that shifting and lifting would leave me pretty cream crackered.

lightbulb moments!

2010-01-28T18:43:00.003+08:00

I know how we're all environmentalists now and that but I still think customers prefer new packaging materials for their retail orders (I think I do, it seems part of the branding to me, unless your specifically an eco brand) so I love it when I get to reuse envelopes for things I'm sending home to friends & family. The above is just a bubble envelope turned inside out so no need for covering old markings, I think it looks spiffy ! <--- a word I've been trying to get popular to no success so far.
For the postally experienced you may immediately think 'ahh but where do you put the stamps because it won't stick to plastic' because that is what I thought until I realised you can turn the flap over to use hurrah!

As a buyer from any shop, does the packaging/branding of your order make a difference to you?

Feature - Decor8 blog

2010-01-28T14:14:00.005+08:00

To my massive surprise I was one of the Etsy picks this week on Decor8 and I didn't even realise until a customer told me they found me through the feature ( I did wonder what the hell was going on because my stats were going mental!)
Other picks included Maranon, Sarah + Bendrix, Scarlet Fig & Carving My Initials.
To be in such great company makes me happy :D

Interview - Permaset

2010-01-28T14:09:00.005+08:00

The nice people at Permaset interviewed me for their website where I am now a featured seller hurrah ! I do like my permaset inks, I've got a lot left from the UK but I am already wondering what I'll do when they run out because I've not seen them anywhere here yikes!
You can read the interview here.

7 things I love

2010-01-25T18:52:00.007+08:00

photo found from this blog.

So I got tagged by April from therighthypotenuse where I have to list 7 things I love and then list 7 people to do the same so here we go....

1) dogs in silly clothes
I don't think its possible to not at least smile from seeing a cute dog in funny clothes, it should perhaps be used as a form of therapy even!

2) sleeping
Even though I can't sleep easily most nights, I do love sleeping. I think it is really important for health both physically and mentally. If I ever go to bed annoyed or angry I always wake up fine, completely forgetting the negativity from the night before, although this can't be said for when I'm worried about something but 2 out of 3 is pretty good !

3) demonstrations
Not of the rioting kind rather those demonstrations they do in supermarkets and shops where they demonstrate a new fancy product and then at the end tell you they are offering it at a discount only for today. It doesn't even have to be a real life demonstration I even like the videos. If I'm lost in a big store, this is usually where I can be found on the outskirts going 'oooh wooow coool' a lot. My bf always rolls his eyes and tries to drag me away, the fool!

4) TV / Cinema
I've never been much of a reader of books or even magazines, I like to skim too when I read :S so movies and programs are my way of escaping reality when need be.

5) laughing
When I start to get wrinkles I hope they were from laughing and not from frowning.

6) foods that are small
Dim sum, sushi, tacos, biscuits with cheese and dip, sandwiches cut into little triangles. For some reason food is just better when its small, plus it makes me feel like a big scary giant which is always interesting.

7) post
The idea of snail mail is quite romantic, a piece of someone sent to another crossing oceans and more, touched and stamped on by various postal workers, I love how they are a physical reminder of someone essentially saying 'hello'.

And now here are the 7 I've tagged - shagpile, thelostearring, kitschensink, shegreetstheday , peasandneedles, Lipeony & AislingLaw go team!

2 week recap - image heavy yo!

2010-01-25T11:28:00.012+08:00

Woah its been nearly 2 weeks since I last blogged, can't believe how quick time flies.

Briefly recapping things I've been up to

Finished my catalogue - finally wahaaaay!
Got a freelance writing job (although yet to start & it is nothing glamorous!)
Participated in a swap with lucy_davidson
Been working on the following

Sent my airplane posties to an postal exhibition which didn't get there in time :( (1, 2, 3, 4)
looked at 10 flats because we are moving asap. They were all mostly tiny :S I got shown 'the master bedroom' in one place and actually laughed-out-loud...well more of a choking back the tears, disbelief type of lol.
donated 20 badges plus the worldwide postage to HeartsForHaiti
bought cute red gingham earrings from HeartsForHaiti shop (earrings made by OddGirlCreates)
received my first custom order from a lovely customer. Going to make a 5 character plush pillow, its going to be big & huggable! Excited about seeing it completed :D
got a tattoo ........ of the temporary nature :D (see more on my flickr)
and that is about it *I think*

In future news we are going to foster another pooch and hopefully by this weekend, the idea of having a happy little fluffy thing sleeping by my feet again really makes me happy so I think it is about time.

Hope everyone is tip top !

something in the pipeline

2010-01-13T00:50:00.002+08:00

Been playing around screen printing these doily designs but its not coming out as well as I'd like so might be back to the drawing board to improve these but other then that, still working on my catalogue, I keep waiting to add new ideas to it but I realised (in the shower of all places!) that basically I'm always going to have new ideas so its never ending & one of my resolutions this year was to stop faffing around, being indecisive & dragging things out/being more productive so I've made it my goal tomorrow to try and finish it so that I can send it out by the end of this week.

Lol moments

2010-01-13T00:27:00.002+08:00

photo taken from FAILblog

This isn't really in keeping with what I normally blog about but the above photo made me laugh so much, over and over again (different occasions) that I feel like it deserves a permanent presence here so that in xyz years time I can look back and laugh some more.

At one point I was wheezing and then got a bit panicky that I might choke! (not that death by laughter wouldn't be the best way to go)

Some new doodles

2010-01-11T22:05:00.003+08:00

Some doodlings from today. Tis been a while since I last drew anything that wasn't more graphics based. Not sure what I'm doing with these yet.

2010-01-07T12:26:00.006+08:00

Hello to my first post of 2010.

I have tried to post numerous times but my internet has been mega slow to the point where its dangerous for my Mac & I to be in the same room.
I get angry and then I want to stomp my hands on something like a cavelady. I never said I was classy now.

Everything I wanted to post about feels so long ago now that its like 'pffff' but in short.

I went away and loved it > pics to yet be on flickr
I came back & slept a record 13 hours > I also loved it
Set myself some resolutions (1st time in my life!) > so far keeping to 1.5 of them
I've been in a productive slump since > Not liking it and don't know how to get out of it.

BUT one thing I have been doing is working on a catalog because this year I want to be proactive in getting more stockists instead of my usual waiting for them to find me and I don't really want to point people to Etsy etc as not everything is for wholesale.

As a side note, its been incredibly cold here, we even bought a heater because HK homes don't have central heating systems and when you have tiled floors it gets chillier inside than outside but looking at the weather its actually 14 degrees so to even imagine what it would be at home is insane (in the membrane, insane in the braaaain)

Happy Holidays peeps!

2009-12-24T13:27:00.002+08:00

what the title says!

seeya all in 2010 xox

Tea bag coasters - screen printed cork

2009-12-24T00:06:00.003+08:00

So its midnight and I should be packing for tomorrow but I just finished cutting these out and think they are too cool to wait a week !

I've for a very long time wanted to do this design idea but never found time, pretty happy with how they turned out, might do ones with different types of tea, not sure but English Breakfast is my favourite. I can't even think of other types of tea :S

Right shower then packing !

DIY screenprinted labels

2009-12-23T12:19:00.003+08:00

So I was going to get some bigger woven labels but kept putting it off because I am me, then I thought to screen print some labels & viola ! Does anyone know what the first 2 are called? is it twill or tape!?

here it is sewn up, looks pretty handmade but meh my stuff is handmade so it is what it is I guess.

And here is my Rex cushion / plushie, he doesn't properly stand up right on his own, you have to balance him juuuust in the right spot but I'm happy with the results.

New Stocklist - LoSo

2009-12-22T13:10:00.004+08:00

Isn't this doggy ridiculously cute? Her name was cookie too which was appropriate for her as she was so sweet haha! (Okay I know its a lame joke but it had to be said)

Her owner also happens to own the shop LoSo (pictured behind) which is on Lamma Island and is now stocking some of my stuff so to all the Hong Kongers out there who happen to find themselves on Lamma, you should check it out, its a cute shop with a nice garden bit too and you might meet cookie !

2 things

2009-12-22T12:35:00.003+08:00

Firstly, Kelly from TheLostEarring is hosting a giveaway for me here to win the above airplane postie cards so go enter peeps!

Secondly I just looked at the calender and suddenly realised Christmas is 4 days away....thats insane !

Normally around this time of year I'd be at my parents, snuggled in my winter bear gear (snow boots, big binman-parka, PJs, hot tea) making decorations with my little sisters (last year we made a gigantic paper chain!) and basically stuffing my face so much I wouldn't have to eat all of January and maybe a bit of February.

This year I thought was going to suck and maybe I would have a little cry over the lack of tree, baubles, nice food and presents but my boyfriend is taking me away as my gift this year!

I'm so chuffed because we're going to Kuala Lumpar & Singapore, both countries I've never been to before, the catch is we are flying Christmas Eve at night time so we will be entering Christmas day in the air & that we're only away for a week but I'm just happy we are going away at all, hurrah for amazing boyfriends !

Hopefully we will find somewhere to have a nice traditional roast too!

Stuff I've been doing

2009-12-18T00:46:00.007+08:00

So not having a job is pretty useful in doing random things that you've always wanted to do but you never had time or the energy too. ( I love it when I randomly rhyme, makes me feel like a poet / rapping gangster )

Project #1

A purse frame from a old purse that had fallen apart has been waiting to be experimented with for ages (like since the UK!) finally got made into something!

I used scrap fabrics, cotton canvas that had been badly printed on to experiment with and I actually quite like it like this because these type of purses are usually very prim and feminine so the mixture of rough fabric in this neat setting is like ying & yang. This is the tutorial I used to help me make it.

Project #2

I've always wanted to make a nice and neat fabric bow (to clip onto clothes, hair clip, bags etc) its so quick and easy !

Its basically just a strip of fabric sewn into a tube (turned inside out) then the ends got sewn together in a loop and you fold it a few times on top of each other to give it more oomph ( I also ironed on some stabliser to make it neater) then you put a strip in the middle bunching it up.

Project #3

I didn't have much canvas left but I was too excited to wait so only one of the below print exists right now, plan to make it into a big plushie / small pillow for the sofa.

Maybe I am biased because of who it is but I love it :D the only thing I would change is make the tongue bigger (more true to life) it is also my first attempt at a 3 colour screen print so seeing as this was the first print I'm pretty chuffed at my DIY home printing skillz.

I also printed it on 3 bits of kitchen paper for fun, I can't really keep it but can't bring myself to throw it away :(

Also have another screen ready to print which I'm happy about, I've really got my exposure times timed perfectly now, so much so that I'm confident enough to offer it as a service, you can go here for more info.)

In the making

2009-12-14T20:43:00.002+08:00

Spent today sorting out a screen to do these 2 colour screen prints onto some thrifted fabric (backed with stabiliser so its nice and flat)

Hopefully this will look as good as I imagine in a frame as a piece of art.

Bearded man

2009-12-10T21:51:00.004+08:00

A old silk screen finally printed from & this is the result, I didn't mean for it to be irreversible, that was accidental but pretty happy about that, my sewing is really picking up, I'd like to think its because I'm just skilled like that but I think its because my new sewing machine is just sexy.

Can't wait to become super duper at all this (the screen printing, sewing, ironing, cutting etc) because I want to start using fancier fabrics!

Also if ANYONE can guess who the bearded man is based on will get a prize. I'm serious! I'm pretty sure its unguessable though! And no it ain't Santa.

NES pouch

2009-12-09T22:29:00.002+08:00

I screen printed these aaagges ago, actually over 6 months ago & I thought they were a bit crap basically but I thought seeing as they're printed, might as well make them into stuff for sewing practice etc but now I'm pretty pleased with them !

On another note, I also sold out of my Ping Pong stan today wahay! so he won't be available for another month or 2 boooo!

Today I went to the post office....

2009-12-09T00:42:00.005+08:00

.......and posted all this, I've never posted so much before and it seems like I wasn't the only one who was doing a mega post, every time I go there, there is always a few people with little mini trolleys or huge laundry bags taking forever because they're sending 50 parcels!

Tensions were so high today that a lady started having a go at me because I tutted at her, she seriously wanted to 'have it all out' or something, right there in a packed post office.

I couldn't hide my annoyance at her blocking me in with her fat trolley, I mean OKAY its easier for me to walk around you I get it but COME ON have some decency to at least look slightly apologetic instead of dead and cold inside!

So I just ignored her and that hopefully will be as near as I ever get to a fight in Hong Kong.

something I've been working on today

2009-12-08T22:38:00.004+08:00

Basic Lines and colours treasury

2009-12-06T11:43:00.003+08:00

Thanks to SchickiMickis for including me in her treasury !

little finds - hijirik

2009-12-04T17:24:00.003+08:00

photo & item by Hijirik.

I just love this so much, someone please buy it for me for Christmas? pllleaaase ?

Gift Guide - For him

2009-12-04T13:57:00.004+08:00

Whoop whoop whoop ! Ping Pong Stan is in the gift guides 'Him' AND 'Gag gifts' section on Etsy.

some photos from Thailand

2009-12-03T15:24:00.002+08:00

loads more on my flickr if anyone would want to take a peek.

Taadaaaar !

2009-12-02T10:08:00.003+08:00

Item number 1 is a wrist pin cushion with a watch face screen printed on so it looks like your wearing a watch aha!

This is a prototype because it is made with scrap fabric as the back (I might keep it this way being eco and all) but not sure yet, I want to wear it out (minus pins!) because I love it, is that weird to like LOVE your own stuff?

Ps: check out mah flowery table, its my newish screen printing fold up table, its incredibly kitsch & fun !

sneak peaks

2009-12-01T14:47:00.003+08:00

In the words of Rolf Harris 'Can you guess what it is yet?'

...and so on

2009-11-28T10:40:00.011+08:00

The last few weeks have been pretty up and down.

Rex got put down really suddenly because of his on g

oing toilet problems, I still feel so sad about it and can't think about it for long.

I know he wasn't officially *my* dog but I guess after 6 months of looking after the pooch you get really attached, I still can't look at the floor without imagining him looking at me or put my key in the front door without imagining his door scratches. Its just so sad, he was such a lovely lovely lovely little pooch and as my first dog owning experience it feels pretty burnt.

And then after 1 day of having this happen I had friends coming from the UK to visit us so we didn't have long to 'get over it' & get it together somewhat, because we didn't want to affect their trip here.

Despite the sad news, we all had an amazing time & did so so much in 10 days, the highlight for everyone I think was biking on Mui Wo island, up hills discovering a secluded / hidden beach !

And then half way through the week I sort of became jobless in a undramatic & amicable way coinciding with my boyfriends new job which is luckily a good position so yep it has indeedy been a up and down month!

Some photos to aid the visuals

some new products

2009-11-27T22:33:00.007+08:00

Currently only listed up on my Etsy.

SoHo festie photos

2009-11-27T18:15:00.003+08:00

A little late but better than never, some photos of the Soho carnival, more here.

Phew !

2009-11-09T16:00:00.003+08:00

The Soho festival was fuuun, I didn't expect the epic level of carnival style entertainment, jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians, bands, clowns & lots of happy kids running around with animal balloons, all that was missing was a fire breather type person !

I never thought of myself as a carnie but I totally loved all of it!

One juggler guy was flown in from Las Vegas! Just imagine how interesting the life of a internationally renowned juggler must be :D

I sold okay but not as well as normal, my table felt a bit bare, I thought I had loads but once stuff was on the big table I realised I hadn't so that is a lesson learned.

I did get approached by 2 Hong Kong shops to carry my stuff so when I have time I'm going to check those out, would be nice to see my things in the shops rather than photos !

I am so tired now and my back hurts a lot from making badges with lots of kids (and a few adults) it was really nice seeing these kids faces light up when their badges came out, some of them were so awesome I really regret not taking a photo of each & every badge made but I just had no time.

Today will be spent tidying, cleaning & preparing for some friends who are visiting from the UK, needless to say I am cursing every unpractical / useless but impossibly lovely item I have.

Some carnival photos laters....