Rest n Rileks

I should be resting and getting enough sleep if I want to Rest n Rileks but before that, I would like to quote an SMS which has been forwarded to me on recent new year, "Remember, life is short, break the rules, forgive and forget quickly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret any thing that made you smile". Well, I don't really believe with breaking the rules as to live life to the fullest, but thank you so much Alice for the SMS, because it really gives my spirit a lift. Be spontanenous, just do what we like to do, and what make us and our love ones happy and get rid of all the unnecesary worries. Ok, I get it. Remind me this again, please. Because I am forgetful.

My second half of 2008 was so packed, and that I admit I am not so good in everything I do as sometimes I require more time to finish a task. But I still remember all the promises and commitments I made last year, and I shall continue the quest of realizing it. And speaking of the promises, I stayed up last night carving the stamp requested by Rizal since September last year. I was flattered that he trusted to me to select the best portion from his doodle to be integrated into the design. To be frank, I really don't know from which section to crop. I need to simplify the details to make it possible for me to carve, but I must also ensure the identity is retained. Plus, he wants the stamp to be fun and whimsical, and a butterfly as an addition.

You really put me on a challenge lah Rizal. I don't even have any basic knowledge or experience in design and everything I do just base on what I think I saw beautiful. I believe Rizal must have been busy as my request for confirmation has been pending since that September. I came up with another stamp design yesterday, but in the end choose to follow his earlier request. And the carving process is, scarry....maybe because Rizal is also a lecturer at Institut Kraf Negara...takot!!

Fewh...luckily, I made it (after missing many, many times of breath inhaling).

Stamp size 2.0cm (h) x 7.0 cm (w) <----sakit mata aku

Earlier tracing work and other design (trying to make the carving easier actually, hehe)

A and F

I took only one (sleepless) night to make F, but almost 2 weeks to finish A. They must have reached KL by today and I only spend MYR11.90 for their air ticket. Bye bye, A! Bye bye F!

Their badges? Oh, I made them using my quick handmade stamps (inspired by Ciyou's Christmas badges). A and F, respectively means Alysha and Fara (my stepdaughters living in KL). I manage to find the same sock pattern to replace the previous one and the old one will be given to ... "hey Free..it's yours!".

I tried to finish them before the school holiday ended, but I missed the deadline. I had a hard time stuffing the skinny-skinny tail and stitching the "simpson" mouth and ears. Anyhow, I think I did just great (angkat bakul). I plan to sew a vest or shirt, or coverall or scarf... but I think these stripy monkeys look just fine ... naked, right? Well, I lied. I just don't have enough time for more experiment.

To Buy List: Picture Frame

Watercolor pencil on paper

This is just a small potrait, but I took maybe more than 2 weeks to finish it. I had to do it bit by bit, maybe 30mins-1hour at night after settling the chores. It is dedicated to my hubby's 37th birthday on recent 28th November because I have no extra fund to buy him any birthday present. I know, it looks more like something for anniversary rather than for birthday right? Eventhough I think my own lips look a little bit tilted compared to the original photo, and that a friend said I looked older, and through the camera's LCD my mummy think my hubby didn't look like him...but I gave 110% effort on this, you know! This is my third attempt to draw real people potrait; the first one is this, and second here.

Hm, maybe the real present would be a perfect frame to match the potrait, don't you think?

Safety Vest for Free

Free is watching at his brothers, Noko (a civet) and Kontot (a squirrel) in their cages. Free likes to hang out here sunbathing and chatting with his brothers.

"Did you just.... call my name?"

While the entire house has gone to bed, I'm still up and busy sewing a safety vest for Free. The surrounding was so silent making the sound of my sewing machine so loud. This is just a simple sewing project, very little skill is required but I took the whole night long to finish it. I use a doggie jacket pattern from the internet and modify it a bit to suit our cat. Cats are not as obedient as dogs when attached to string, but I put a ring on the back anyway, so the vest can also doubled up as harness whenever necessary. I took the reflector band out of our company's old uniforms and sew it on Free's vest for visibility especially when we take him out for night walking. For addition, I am planning to sew a lable on the inside with telephone number so people can always contact us if he ever get lost.

Oh! Have I told you that we only have one cat left? The last time my hubby walk the cats alone, Ben and Free had gone missing. According to him, the cats just suddenly dissapear into the darkness and didn't show up when he called their names. I don't remember what keeping me occupied that night, but I remember I was in front of the computer until my hubby asked me to help him search for our lost cats. It is not unusual that they got distracted by the sight of other cats or people, or scared by passing by cars, motorcycles or dogs. Many times, the cats might stop following us and follow the back of strangers. That is just our hypothesis of how these cats suddenly dissapear that night. Free showed up in front of the house 4 days later, looking tired and thirsty. Ben? Only God knows his faith as he never return until today. This is one of the reasons why I pushed myself to finish a safety vest for Free so we can take him for outings with less to worry. Ohya! Notice that red collar with pink bell Free is wearing? My stepdaughter, Ica laugh at him for wearing pink bell but he seems to like it very much! Ever since we put the collar on him, he often caught gazing himself infront of the mirror!!! I will bear in mind to take his photo if I caught him doing that again.

Meanwhile, Free has been unwell since the pass 5-6days. He lost his appetite and also losing his voice. This morning we took him for his last shot of 3 days course of antibiotic at Skinner's Clinic, where my friend Mary Grace and her mom work. According to Mary, Free was caught by Cat Flu and luckily we bring him to the clinic before the flu got worse. I think it's a little bit funny when Mary said Free is having sore throat that's why he's losing his "Super Meow". Silly me, ingat manusia je ke kena sakit tekak, hehe. Cat Flu can spread among cats or other animal of same family, so it is best to get your cat vaccinated to make sure they stay healthy and have the best in their social life. Free is scheduled to be vaccinated this coming Monday, so if we need to bath him, Sunday is the last day to do so as after vaccination, he will not be allowed to take bath for 7 days (that's what we were told). From the clinic, I straightly go to office and bring Free along. He is now, sleeping safe and sound on the chair, in his striking safety vest his mommy made for him. Meoww!!

p/s: I had a great time watching Bolt recently. If you haven't watched it, you should. In my case, Free is my Bolt. Wakaka!

Little Socky Monkey

My to-do-list keep growing while at the same time, I still owe some work to some people.

And this sock monkey is a promise I made to a beautiful girl for her birthday. Not a fancy Russ teddy, but it is made 100% with love, straight from the heart.

This is my first sock monkey, with detectable mistakes here and there. However, I can't help myself from feeling extremely happy as this little monkey, is a huge success for me.

Happy Birthday Icha!