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!

Made for Genxster

When Genxster asked me whether I am interested to trade card with her, I was jumping with joy, especially when she said she do take request. I have always waiting for this opportunity as I really admire her works on potraits. So without any hesitation, I request for a potrait of me and hubby, and she agree. This is the card she made for me. Tadaa!!

Genxster told me that she saw a series of Harajuku Girl cards in IllustratedATCs and request me to draw something like that. One day, I happened to wander in a survenir shop and saw a set of five or six little handcarved wooden dolls, dressed up with different Sabahan ethnic traditional costumes. They looked pretty gorgeous in a set. The moment I saw these cute dolls, I knew I would want to draw something close to my own root for Genxster. She love drawing and collecting potraits, as according to her, "faces never failed to fascinate me". I just hope this potrait of Sabahan Girl will be a good add to her potrait collection.

Sabah's population is heterogenous and culturally diversed with more than 30 ethnic races and 80 local dialects. Some ethnic groups, for example Kadazan, the dialects spoken and costumes are different between districts. At the beginning, I wanted to draw the most common Kadazan costume but after I saw a photo this one, I am attracted to the colorful beaded collar, hairband and most importantly, earings. I am unable to point accurately this costume belongs to which indigenous group, but after discussing with Debbie, we came to a rough conclusion that it may be a fusion between Sabah and Sarawak traditional costume elements (maybe?). To any Sabahan who read this post and knows better, let me know okay.

Leaf-cutting Ants, Bird and Rooster Keychains

I am on another day off. I was caught by flu and occasional headache since last week but the pain got more intense and frequent since the pass few days. So after seeing the doctor yesterday, I decided to give myself a rest at home today, or maybe until I get better.

So having the chance to stay at home, I take this chance to snap pictures of some handmade keychain that I made few months back. If you notice, I already listed them up in my etsy store.

I am also working on some custom rubberstamps, stickers and business card. Hopefully I will get better soon so I will be able to finish them before our 10days holiday next week.