Wednesday 30 July 2008

Seriously 'ATC'ed.

I made this ATC last night. She will be used to make sticker and stamps (will make a post about it later). This is my first time using sponging technique (for the background).

Speaking of ATC, I have 5 ATC group trades in my list. All submissions ending on 31st August.
  1. Peaceful Places theme ATC - atcsforall (3 cards)
  2. Leaf theme ATC for Diladi - atcsforall (another 2 cards)
  3. Singapore theme ATC - Monday Artday (3 cards)
  4. Independence theme ATC - Special blogger group trade (3 cards)
  5. Ocean theme ATC - Monday Artday (3 cards)

Total 16 cards to finish, including another one for Rizal and Yazmin (Singapore) each. My scheduled is packed nowadays, but I challenge myself to get them finished before midst of August.

Saturday 26 July 2008

Mangosteenskin Stamps' New Look


Since a couple of months ago, I've been begging my husband to take me to wood factory and hardware shop. I still can't drive. I keep on delaying and avoiding my JPJ test because I'm still unable to overcome my fear of driving on the highway.

Yesterday my husband had a safety inspection at a fabricated steel factory. There's a wood factory at the same area, so he just dropped me by the road side and I walked myself to the factory that he suggested.

This morning, we went to his friend's hardware shop and I bought myself a small, cute handsaw. I'm smiling and can't stop talking all the home because I'm so happy and can't wait to test my new tool.


My handcarved rubber stamps now come complete with wooden backings. I couldn't believe myself, holding something which only existed in my head before. Months ago, I don't even know that I could carve. To my own amazement, I found myself can carve quite well, atleast on erasers. Seeing these completed rubber stamps, I feel satisfied as everything is worth the effort. Once again, it's worth trying, even if it's something totally "alien" in our lives.

Friday 25 July 2008

Cupcake or not?



I designed a cupcake stamp for Bakedecorate2u (Rani's home-bakery), but I made some carving mistake because I was chatting with our new employee. When I show it to my hubby, he thought it was for ice-cream shop or something like Coffeebean.

I've shown this stamp to Rani, she likes it but I feel guilty if later people get confused and thought she runs ice-cream shop! Let me know what u think about it. I know I'm lack of experience. If it's not suitable for Rani's home-bakery, then I'll make a new one, and this time it would be a cake. How about the sketch below?

Thursday 24 July 2008

Carol's Stamps and Stickers

At 2.30am, I manage to finish carving, printing and cutting stickers for Carol.


Carol request for the same stickers like Fliffy's, with the name and URL changed, but I decide to make a new one for her, using her favourite colors; pink, white and baby blue, and the heart-shaped candy is inspired by her current blog header. The design is really simple, as I don't have any drawing or photo-editing software, I have to draw it on paper and scan. The process is so time consuming, tiring and unflexible method as I can never undo any mistake. In fact, the drawing I made for the stickers are ATCs (maybe I can trade them one day, hehe). Please bear my limited design till I get myself a compatible laptop and appropriate softwares, namely CS3 and Illustrator.

I'm working hard for it, haiyahh!

Wednesday 23 July 2008

My Carving Tools


People have been asking me the tools that I use to carve my stamps. They're art knife and wood carver (see above pic). And the stamp? It is just ordinary eraser. Yes, the same one like you have in your pencil case.

I just start to use the wood carver a couple of week ago when I start to receive custom made orders, just to make the removal of the outside area of an image a little bit faster. But without the wood carver, the art knife alone can still do everything. The knife has a few different type of blade, but the one that u see in the picture is good enough for me.

Yesterday, my husband told me to wait in the car as he need to meet someone at the person's site office. He did not tell me the meeting would take so long (maybe he also don't expect that). I waited about an hour an half in the car, and I tried so hard to be patient and restrain myself from turning on the aircond (fuel is so expensive nowadays, remember?) I tried to occupy myself with some sketching job for my recent orders. My neck and lower back start to ache and I felt like having a sauna eventhough the windows were widely opened. I could get moody anytime, but I tried to be rational and took out the knife and an eraser instead.

The above stamp is the one that I did in the car yesterday.

Tuesday 22 July 2008

More Handcarved Stamps



Since the past two weeks, I've been wearing only jeans and t-shirt to office with absolutely nothing on my face. I spare no time for ironing my blouse and some of them are a bit tighter nowadays, so having less choice, I might repeat wearing a shirt just after it get dried on a hanger. Ironing is only for scarves and my husband's shirts. I carry my black jacket almost everyday, as it helps me to look a bit neater when necessary, rather than just looking like somebody going to market. I sacrifice the time for self-attention and sometimes spend too much on my artsy interest and stamp-making.
Above are some of my latest handcarved stamps.

Friday 18 July 2008

Pupu's Stamp

Pupu's sketch


Finished stamps


In my previous post, I mentioned that Fliffy's stamp was my first commisioned stamp, right? But to be more accurate, Fliffy's was my first completed commisined stamp. Pupu's order came first but it takes time to complete hers.
She emailed me her own font, icons and kokeshies sketch. I think the blank Kokeshies idea is so cool! We can add details later and produce different characters using the same template. To those whose still don't know what a Kokeshi is, I leave it to you to discover it yourself in Pupu's blog (one of my favourite blog). I think you need to look for the Kokeshies in her older post as recently Pupu has came up with something totally different from her line work style. I like all her recent works (and kokeshies of course), as they always picture something dreamy and magical.
Oh ya, congratulations to Pupu as she has been accepted to continue her study in a local university in Brunei. Pupu, you rawk!

Blue Bird and Kitsune

I was jumping with joy when I received two mails containing ATCs yesterday! Both the cards are gorgeous! I keep looking at them, again and again...and smile.

Mangosteenskin Mermaid (by me) & Blue Bird by JC, San Leandro USA (succesful swap -July 2008)

I saw this bluebird ATC in M.A.D ATC and straight away fell in love with the simplicity and composition. I like the use of color too, as their combination somehow reminds me to my childhood, especially the ochre background (actually JC recycle an envelope). It reminds me of my aunty's cushion cover and curtains, while the blue and red, reminds me of the dolls me and my sister once had. Whatever stuffs bought for us, it usually either pink and light blue or red and blue. Then, if she get red doll, mine would be blue. If she get pink pants, mine would be blue. "Eh, asyik2 saya saja yang dapat biru ni?", Yes, we did quarell over that issues long time ago. Haha!

Okay, back to the blue bird story. I told JC that I would like to have this cute bluebird but I don't have any available card to be traded with her. She said she collects mermaids and would like to have one from me. So, my mermaid is born. I've sent her to San Leandro USA to stay with JC, and I hope she will feel belonged living with the other mermaids from around the world.

Kitsune, The Fox Deity (by Beeble from UMS) & Finding Heart Shapes by me (succesful trade -July 2008)

Beeble was my childhood bestfriend, and after that, eventhough we went to the same secondary school, we're not close anymore. In fact, we became totally strangers to each other. We've lost contact for years, eventhough we share the same village. I met her again during my final year at the university, I was leaving the place and she came in to work there. Now, she's a student again. I must say, our friendship is revived through blogosphere! All these days, I never knew she could draw. Look what blogs has done to us, sometimes in reality all we know is just skin deep but through blogs we could learn a litle bit more!

Beeble produces Folklore themed ATCs (find her other Folklore series ATCs in M.A.D). She reads a lot and I appreciate that she likes to share her readings. She includes some description about Kitsune in M.A.D. Meanwhile, my Finding Heart Shapes is one of the cards where I learn to use watercolor pencil few months ago. I was lack of idea and use heart shapes to create everything in the drawing; the butterfly, the flowers and leaves.

Monday 14 July 2008

Fliffy's Sticker and Stamp


Fliffy's Sticker and Stamp

Fliffy asked me if I can design label sticker for her and I asked her back whether she would like to have a rubber stamp too...so she can chop...chop...chop on her scrapbook and papercrafts. She said yes! I'm so happy that she asked me to make a sticker design for her, but I'm far more happier when she said she want the stamp. Of course, I made some drafts first and show it to her before she agreed.

She likes Candies for Three which I made for kak Emila, and asked me if I can make "candies" for her too. She even told me that her favourite colors are pink, orange and white. Do visit her blog, I think this pretty lady is a very inspiring, creative dedicated scrapper. I enjoy looking at the digital layouts and papercrafts she posted in her blog. I believe the sticker I made for her is nothing compared to all her wonderful digital creations, but how sweet of her, she still give chance to traditional illustrator like me.

My First Commisioned Hand-carved Rubber Stamp

Kawaii Sticker Price List

I always welcome honest comment on my works (please comment). One more thing, just in case you're interested to commision me for stickers or handmade stamps, let me know by sending me email okay!!. Come on! I'm waiting with a big grin on my face. Hihi.

Sunday 13 July 2008

Magic Lamp of Luck


Alakazam!!!

The mighty Genie King and the beautiful Genie Princess from the magical Land of Faraway are back! Upon escaping the clutches of their Evil Master after being held captive for 1000 years, the magical genies have been busy flying on their Magical Flying Carpet, granting wishes and spreading love throughout the blogosphere.

And now, the genies are back with a special gift for everyone! Behold the sacred, Magic Lamp of Luck! With this magic lamp, your blog will enjoy much good luck and fortune, warding off all things evil lurking around in the blogosphere. We would like to share this magic lamp with you so please pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to those in need of some good luck. Remember, do not be greedy or unkind, evil or vengeful and good luck & fortune will always be with you! Join us on another exciting magical adventure as we spread goodwill and good luck to one and all!

* Start Copy Here *
1. Add your site(s) to the list once you have received the Magic Lamp of Luck.
2. Pass on the Magic Lamp of Luck to as many people as you like. After all, everyone needs some good luck!3. Leave a comment HERE once you’ve passed on the Magic Lamp of Luck. Once the Genie King and Genie Princess have visited your site to make sure your links are complete and proper, you will then be added to the Master List.4. To ensure everyone receives equal link benefit, please UPDATE your list regularly!

1-Mariuca 2-First Time Dad 3-Mariuca's Perfume Gallery 4-Emila's Illustrated Blog 5-The Other Side of Emila 6-My Sweet Escape 7-Bay Head Blog 8-Roxiticus Desperate Housewives 9-LadyJava's Lounge 10-Petty Ramblings of a Petty Queen 11-The Real Deal 12-Pinay Mommy Online 13-Perpustakaan 14-LadyJava Life's Pages 15-Make Money Online 16-Cat Tales 17-LadyJava's Food Paradise 18-Being Woman 19-Spicybug 20-Biz-N-Honey 21-Aeirin's Collections 22-Sasha Says 23-Project Heavy Traffic 24-Picture Clusters 25-My Wanderings 26-Maiylah's Snippets 27-Moments of Colours 28-Life Quest 29-BigMoneyList 30-The Best Parts 31-Morphed 32-Buhay Pinoy 33-Galatayo 34-Blogging Tips 35-Apples Of The Eyes 36-My Own Utopia 37-Sasha's Corner 38-Under One Roof 39-Say Cheese 40-A Great Pleasure 41-A Life in Bloom 42-Because Life is a Blessing 43-Digiscraptology 44-Xixi 45-Ode to Adrienne 46-CrankyDave 47-Simple Life 48-Dew Drops 49-The Journey 50-Mastering Your PC 51-Day Break 52-A Little Girl Talk 53-Mom Knows Everything 54-Day to Day 55-1 of a Kind Wis 56-It's a woman's world! 57-Breather 58-Photo Hook 59-Letterbox 60-Asian Mutt International 61-Dream Doe Philosophy 62-MommyAlehs Up-Close And Personal 63-Livin' the Life! 64-Restnrileks 65-English Corner 66-English Grammar 67-Bodybuilding & Fitness 68-Everything you need 69-One Stop Games 70-Blockbluster Movie Trailers 71-Bodybuilding & Human Growth Hormone 72-World of Tennis 73-Men's Health & Tips 74-Internet Marketing Strategy & Tips 75-Latest Technology 76-Tentang Binaraga 77-Berita Seputar Selebriti 78-Panduan Kesehatan 79-Insurance For You 80-Crissy's Zone 81-Crissy's Library 82-Crissy's Haven 83-sHeNzEe's wOrLd 84-Voice Of The Spirit 85-Best Cuisine Recipes 86-Stand My Ground 87-SeeNRead 88-This Is A Miracle 89-I AM KCAT 90-Traipsey Turvey 91-GBeX & DOm 92-Spun By A Seanachie 93-ISL Family 94-D' Cooking Mudra 95-'Story' the Great 96-UmmiRosma 97-Munirah Abd 98-Atie 99-Hit-or-Miss 100-Twisted Sister 101-Laketrees Artist 102-Blessed Sanctuary 103-Comedy Plus 104-Blogging By Sandee 105-Living Life to the Fullest 106-Speech-Less 107-Happy Life 108-My Discoveries 109-Strangely Out Of Place 110-Rooms of My Heart 111-The Paper Vision 112-Luxurious Retreats 113-Reef 114-Weekend Snapshot 115-Blessie's Finds 116-Confessions of An Army Wife 117-My Pooch Life 118-Five Martini Lunch 119-TIPS FROM THE TRAILER 120-PoeARTica 121-STAY AT HOME MOM 122-Rantings of a Woman 123-Sjtl's Weblog 124-Turn-u-Off 125-My World in My Own Word 126-Shawie 127-A New Saga 128-Janeth Vicy's Life Journey 129-Simple Reveries 130-Berry Blog 131-Touts4u 132-My So Called Life 133-La Vida es Hermosa 134-Speedcat Hollydale Page 135-mangosteenskin 136-Choc Mint Girl 137-Of Colors And Styles 138-Pinaymama's Diary 139-My Life's Rollercoaster Ride 140-My Life...My Journey! 141-Bonoriau 142-Jenny and Belle 143-Read My Mind 144-A Sweet Taste Of Life 145-Shopping Blog 146-Precious Moments 147-Feydakin 148-Hot Shit Form Here 149-A Mother's Simple Thoughts 150-Daily Ramblings Rendezvous 151-Miss Moneypenny's Comical Posts Undercover 152-My Precious Niche 153-FunFierceFabulous 154-Colorful World of Shiela 155-Me,myself+2 156-Ozzy's Mom 157-Let's talk about MJ 158-Great people make us feel we can become great 159-A Family Man 160-Just the way it is... 161-In Depth 162-Attitude, the ULTIMATE POWER 163-Are You Grateful? 164-Complain Complain Complain 165-My Little Black Pot 166-Notes By Marvic 167-Aku Pelukis 168-Jiwasintetik 169-Foster Me Up 170-Life: Thoughts & Inspirations 171-The Callalily Space 172-Mommyhood and Me 173-Bits and Pieces 174-La Place de Cherie 175-Through The Rain 176-Blogfixes 177-New England Lighthouse Treasures 178-Chez Francine 179-Tsinay 180-Hailey's Domain 181-Hailey's Beats and Bits 182-My So-Called Life 183-PinayWAHM 184-Rusin Roundup 185-Sweet Temptation 186-Lynn's Chic Spot 187-Kai Kriye 188-LiLo n StiTcH 189-Lights and Shade 190-Easycrafts 191-Ideasmoney 192-My creations 193-Sukanya-hobbiesandcrafts 194-My Kraft 195-http://adamarjuna.blogspot.com/ 196-The Working Mom 197-My Touch Of Heaven 198-Her Name is N.O.Y. 199-Fida Abbott 200-Hesitant Wife's Blog 201-Blogging For Fun 202-Paint Your Life 203-Spicybugz World 204-Colin From Life 205-Ramblings of The Phat 206-AngelBaby from Your Caring Angels 207-Creative Saga 208-Indian Khana 209-Me and My Kitchen 210-Mom's Recipies 211-Mom's Cooking 212-Cooking Station 213-Simple Indian Food 214-Rekha's Kitchen 215-SuperNova & SweetPain 216-My Sweet Haven 217-scrapbook newbie 218-http://www.miyyahatkertas.blogspot.com/ 219-funfliffy 220-AyangLina 221-A Room of Crazy Scrapper 222-srikars kitchen 223-Purva's Daawat 224-Recipe Center 225-Veg Inspirations 226-Little Mermaid 227-Meendum Santhipoom 228-Ranji's kitchen corner 229-En Vittu Virundhu 230-What's on the menu? 231-Dancing in Midlife Tune 232-Meme Me 233-Tasty treats 234-Mummy Diaries 235-notyet100hub 236-Jujubs Creative Corner 237-Crafts and Cooking 238-As Long As I Can Dream 239-A Walk To Remember 240-Empty Streets 241-The time has come 242-Momhood Moments 243-Life is too short to be ordinary 244-Mistress of Spices 245-YOU Next!
Now, I want to pass the Magic Lamp of Luck to Ciyou, Fliffy, Marvic, +fnajiha, miyyah, Cecima, Megat, AlongArman, Jiwasintetik, Kai Kriye, Faisal Admar, Carol, Bluecrystaldude, Kak Ida, Mika, Fara, Senta, Leanne, May and anyone who think that they care about boosting their authority in Technorati. The Magic Lamp of Luck has been proven to bring magic to each blog which keep the lamp and share it with others. So, what are you waiting for, take this lamp home with you!! Don't forget to follow the instructions, so the genies can make your wish came true!

Monday 7 July 2008

ATCs For All

I found new place to trade Artist Trading Card. So many great art (not only ATC) produced by talented artists from all over the world! Apart from ATCs, we can trade almost everything or anything artsy with the fellow members. If you can't draw, there're thread for other stuffs like collages, handmade crafts, photos, sculptures etc! Through this website, I manage to trade both of the cards i put in the gallery within just a few hours! Frankly speaking, I had a hard time to choose (because all the cards are beautiful), so I let people choose my card. Free arts and new friends, cool heh? Just like in Monday Artday ATC!! But here, they also use feedback ranking system just like the one used in eBay, so everytime you trade---people will rate you according to their level of satisfaction when dealing with you. If you score a lot of positive feedback, it'll give you good reputation and burst your popularity.

Besides the chance to get yourself involved in trading, atcsforall is also a very resourseful site. Do find time to browse this website. If you're into art---i'm sure you'll get hooked! Just click the photo, and you'll get what I mean!

Friday 4 July 2008

Mermaid

Mermaid - ATC

This mermaid is requested by JC from Monday Artday ATC. Soon she will be traded for a blue bird from JC.

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Real Clip Art

Clipped Art

I like art but I like it more if I could turn it into something functional. I'm hoping that I could produce more of these clips for sale. I'm using my original little paintings here. What you see in the picture is just my 6 initial attempt. They make fancy bookmarks and perfect gifts for friends and family, especially those who still studying or enjoy reading.

Thanks to Kak Ida for the tutorial on making altered paperclips.

I'm thinking of turning my hobby into bussiness. For months I've been monitoring certain websites like Zazzle, GCU and Etsy but I can't proceed with Paypal account as I don't have credit card. While my application still in process, I would like to try my luck marketing my products locally and see how it goes before attempting to go further.

I would be very happy if I could sell paintings but for the moment, I don't have the passion to produce large artworks. Apart from being calculative about the amount of money I have to invest for the material, I assume that I still have a lot to learn, thus I still need a lot of practice to sharpen my skill (and time management) before I'm ready to jump into large size of canvas. I'm okay if you want to call me "little-painting-artist". Haha.

Please don't ever hesitate to drop me any comments. I appreciate each of your comments and support.