What makes me happy...

Couple of updates for this week...

1.  I bought a typewriter!!  Yeah!  Really very happy that I finally got my hands on a good piece and I hope it will be with me for a long time to come :)

Introducing Mr Quirky: Made in the 1950s or 60s in Japan.  Still in case and I have the manual :)

2.  Had an idea of using this typewriter to type on washi tape...and then to cut them to fit my little pegs.  Love the end result:

3.  Loving my ever growing washi tape collection.  I can simply say this: I love every single one of them heaps.  I've kicked out the not so nice ones in my collection and these are my precious babies.  Just looking at them makes me happy. And i think that's what matters most.

P.S: Don't ask me why I have 2 air mail washi tapes.  But i am more than happy to have 2 in my posession.

On another note, I had a really bad Thursday, quite possibly triggered by a draining Wed and poor sleep which left me totally in the shambles on Thursday.  Somehow, i really wished i never lived to see that Thursday cos it was one of my worse days ever.  Was so tired throughout the whole day, i literally felt I was on drugs and just floating my way through the day without actually KNOWING what I was doing.  Went for 3 lessons in a daze and slightly high on adrenaline and gasoline in my system.  I have no idea how i survived that day but I do know I came home, plonked myself in the shower and had a big cry.  The big ugly cry.  And then I just sat there for half an hour trying to compose myself and garner back some of my lost energy.  Thank God it's over and that today is a better day.

I really feel very drained these few weeks. Actually, should rephrase this. I've been feeling drained for the past 7 years.  My first 2 years were good years..then everything went downhill.  Work started piling up and reached the point of no return.  How do you compensate yourself for 7 years of sleep deprivation? 

Pray with me if you've read this far ok? I need God's strength to carry me though..

Joanna

Go Team!

Darr asked me yesterday to help make some cards / tags for his kids who were going for competition soon.   He's really so sweet and passionate for them.  He was actually thinking of buying a card for them but decided to ask me to help him and he would pay for the materials.

As you know, I love any reason to craft, whether i am getting paid or not for my efforts.  If someone can cover the cost of the materials, I don't mind helping out, especially for a friend like him who has been nothing but kind to me. He gives me lifts frequently and always watches out for me.  Am blessed to have a friend like him.


Thankfully I had a chance to pop by the LSS yesterday and managed to chance until these Jillibean Soup papers.  Bought only 3 sheets and mixed them with Echo Park Charming..

Thank you Justina for these lovely PTI Tags.  They're so pretty and I can't wait to cut more tags.  Used versa mark vintage sepia ink.  Still the most crips and sharp ink in the market today.  Nothing comes close :)

And here's all 4 of them.  Actually there are 6 but I couldn't fit all on my typewriter to snap this photo.  And yes, I bought a typewriter yesterday.  H agreed to buy one for me for my birthday present this year and partner in crime went with me yesterday to pick it up.  So kind of her to drive me all the way down.  For her efforts, I'm going to Clementi Mall on Monday to get her a smash tape!

Let me digress - here's my new baby:

And where it sits in relation to all my other stuff.

Long story but this baby will not be with me for long.  I'm going to exchange it cos I've spied another one which I believe is better.  Let's save that for another entry ok?

Have a smashing weekend! 

Will be back soon on my first smash journal entry!

More Echo Park Charming....

My partner in crime was not able to complete the 15th book due to work commitments so I undertook it.  Decided to use one of my current favs - Echo Park Charming and it's also one of those few lines that I have bought enough to make a decent book! :)

Here are the pics!

Final book:  I took the liberty to write a love message from the bride to the groom on the last page for this book.  Just a sudden idea I had and I thought it would be quite sweet when he sees it.  To be fair, i went back to one of my previous books and did the same for her.  I think it will be a nice surprise.

Daniel came by on Monday to pick up the books.  I carried all of them in a box to go down and meet him at the lift and as I was going down..my heart felt more heavy than the total weight of the books on my hands.  Turned a bit cold, some shivers down my spine..all the in span of 2 mins.  Not sure why I felt this way but it was kind of sad to part them all of them..given I've spent the last month of my life working on them.  Felt like a part of me was gone :(

But all good things come to an end some day.  These books were commissed work and were never mine to begin with.  I just grew (too) attached to them, especially how I frequent look through each book to ensure that each embellishment was in place, every little detail was down to a T...

Anyway, congrats to Dan and Yvonne!  Have a smashing wedding ceremony next weekend!

Giveaway Winner!

Congratuations Ai Yen!

You're the winner of my notebook!

Will be in touch with you soon.

Thanks to one and all for participating in my giveaway!  Hope to have one more next month or by May!

Jo

Sunday morning..

Did some tags over the weekend to destress and I also wanted to try using up more of my stash!  The house will be undergoing renovation in October so I think by June will will have to start packing into boxes the stuff we seldom use.  I'm trying to cut down my scrapping purchase (but also failing equally as badly).  I forsee myself lugging my paper stash and some tools over to my mum's house where we will be staying temporarily.

Also, I've been dying to use my washi (which reminds me..i have to bring them along!) tape and I think making some banners are cool!!


Here they are!

And all 4 of them beautifully lined up!

One issue I constantly have is what to do with the stuff I make.  I have an issue with clutter and having too many things around the house. It kind of pisses me off...If u have any ideas (besides givng them away) on what I can do with the stuff I make, pls leave a comment! Or pls share how u keep the stuff you make!  If you're lucky, I may pick u to receive the above tags cos as of now, i still have no idea what to do with them!!

Have a smashing Sunday!

I think it's time to do a giveaway for one fortunate lady who reads my blog!! :)

Been some time since I last did one so here it is..

I did this notebook some time back and would like to give it away.  Just a simple way of thanking you for dropping by my blog - even when I don't come by often enough.

This giveaway is open only for postage within Singapore.  If however, you're from overseas and would not mind paying postage, I'd love to include you in the draw.  Sorry but postage overseas for a notebook like this will be too hefty for me.  Hope you understand.

Giveaway closes 30th March 2012...so leave a comment telling me what your favourite stamp set or ink is..I'm so into that now!

Joanna

Seven and Eight

Friday morning - I managed to finish doing my 7th and 8th book. Pangs of nostalgia hit me as I was pretty sad that this project had finally come to a close. Sobs.   I miss doing these books. I miss having a reason to scrap. I miss not feeling guilty buying paper. I miss spending time each evening at my scrap table, even if it's like half an hour. I miss everything about doing these books.

Truth is, for me, i need a reason to scrap. And when I have commissioned work and projects at hand, I function the best.  If left to my own devices, i take my own sweet time, my photos pile up..etc.  And best part is - I think I scrap best without any photos to put in.  Really. :)

So, there u have it..the seventh and eighth book...Featuring MME's Miss Caroline.  Such a lovely and beautiful line

Seventh:



Eighth:

To Daniel & Yvonne: Even though I don't know u peronally, thanks for this chance to be part of your wedding and a life time of memories.  Thanks for giving me freedom and leeway to design each book as I liked without any restrictions.. Hope your big day will be a memorable and eventful one...

And to everyone else: Thanks for dropping by...

Joanna