Happy Mail + November Craft Haul: Happy Me!

Thank heavens for Manilenya friends, and more thankful for this Manilenya "Crafter" friend who understands my craziness with craft stuff!

A few weeks ago, we were planning to shop online at AliExpress with washi tapes, clear stamps, and die cuts (for her). However, it didn't push through because of the payment option - we still prefer PayPal. *wink*

Until one day, she told me that Landmark has washi tapes, stickers, and tin cans; just like the ones found in AliExpress. And the rest, my dear friends, is history. *happy dance*

Let's take a look at my haul slash happy mail I got yesterday.

This is what's in the parcel - a mix of stickers, washi tapes, and tin cans. I just love everything about them, things like these make me happy! ^_^

Craft Haul and Happy Mail from Metro Manila

⇢ The Happy Mail ⇠

Hurray for the Happy Mail!!!

Let's start off with the goodies that made this parcel extra special. This amazing Happy Mail from my Manilenya friend, Tracy, made my heart beat so fast that I almost forgot about the Landmark items, instead, I gushed over those items coming from her.

She also included those from her online shop, Scrap Stash, which are the iron-on vinyl and a mini kit that can be used for a scrapbook, card-making, or planner. She also included a tin can, clear stamp, stickers, washi sampler, postcard, and watercolor tube. See, you know why it's called a Happy Mail! ^_^

Items from Scrap Stash

"Love to Blog" Iron-On Vinyl Sticker | Scrap Stash

Cats and Dogs Mini Kit | Scrap Stash

More goodies from Tracy! Yay!

⇢ My November Craft Haul ⇠

Craft Haul for November

Now, in this corner, let's talk about this cuteness overload craft haul. First off, I want to thank Tracy for purchasing these for me. If only I still live in Manila, you know we will definitely frequent Landmark together just for stuff like this! And thank you, Landmark, for having these in your Department Store, you just made our life easier! Right, Tracy?! Lol!

So, what's included in my November Haul? Well, aside from the stickers that will be used for my Planner, I also bought Washi tapes! Take note, it's just only now that I hoarded washi tapes because they're very affordable! And not to mention those shabby and vintage tin cans; looks like my love for tin cans is back!

Oh, let's not forget about the nibs from The Crafters Marketplace for my calligraphy and the mini vase that will be used for watercolors too. Love 'em all!

Molang Sticker at Php44.75 and Vanilla Days Sticker at Php39.75 | Landmark

(each contains 6 sticker sheet)

Shabby Round Tin Cans at Php29.75 each | Landmark

Vintage Mini Tin Can at Php24.75 | Landmark

Washi Tapes at Php69.75 each | Landmark

(1 box has 2 different designs of washi tapes)

Washi Tapes at Php14.75 each | Landmark

Hiro Leonard No.41 Calligraphy Nib at Php90.00 each | The Crafters Marketplace

Mini Vase at Php35.00 | Alturas

There you go!

Thanks again, Tracy! Love everything you sent me! *wink*

Discovering Colleen Poster Color in Gold and Silver

Never have I thought that I will work with Colleen again. But time came and we're here doing artworks together. If you're a 90s kid like me, you probably know who or what I'm talking about.

 Colleen is a well-known brand of colored pencil; my mom's favorite actually. Whenever we buy school supplies she would always want me to get Colleen colored pencils. And if I remember correctly, I had those with dual color, like a twin tip. Nostalgic! That's why I'm glad that after several years, I'm using Colleen once again through these poster colors.

So why did I bought these?

Well, I got these poster colors as an alternative for shimmering watercolors for my calligraphy. Instead of buying Kuretake Gansai Tambi STARRY PEARL Colors Set and the likes, I bought these poster colors to see if I'm going to be comfortable working with glittery or shimmering paints for my lettering. And since I'm not familiar with using such paints, I don't want to spend that much and regret buying expensive shimmering paints in the end.

Thankfully and surprised, I stumbled upon these amazing poster colors from Colleen - gold and silver. I thought they were all just about colored pencils! However, knowing it's from Colleen, I thought these poster colors were expensive; but they're not! Would you believe that this 20mL poster color costs Php38.50 only? Yes, happy pocket indeed! *grin*

Now let's talk about the poster color.

Since this is my first time to work with metallic paints, I really have no standard for comparison. But as expected, coming from a known and established brand, the gold and silver are bright and luminous. The pigment dries smoothly and catches the light when you move the paper. The opacity can be easily adjusted by controlling the use of water.

This can also give a luminous effect when mixed with your choice of watercolor before using it and it could also be used as an accent on your watercolor artwork. If you're going to use it with a dip pen for calligraphy, I suggest that you add more water so the paint will flow smoothly from the nib down to the paper.

Just a little reminder though to shake well or mix well before use because the gold and silver pigment settles at the bottom when not in use; it's about 30% liquid and 70% pigment.

Overall, I love how it performs. I'm good with them and have no plans of buying a shiny watercolor as of the moment. I will play with these for now and see how far I can go with these poster colors.

In addition to my collection, looks like I'm going to look for the white poster color too. Hopefully, I could find one ASAP!  *grin*

October Mini Haul: Colors and Ceramics

I don't often buy craft stuff but whenever I chance upon National Book Store or any office supplies store I'd always look for something that I could use for my calligraphy and planner. And this month's mini haul is just one example of it.

I mentioned before that I was planning to buy a new watercolor that will give me a nice finish than the one that I'm currently using. But then, while I was in a small department store near CL's school, I saw this cheap watercolor tube set and bought it right away. The price is reasonable enough for me to try them because it wouldn't hurt my pocket if it wouldn't live up to my expectation. I also found poster colors that could be the best substitute for shimmer watercolors that looks so promising because it came from a very famous color brand, Colleen - and mind you, they're also cheap! I also didn't forget to buy my daughter's favorite brand of pencil, Faber-Castell. And of course, I indulge my love for stickers. Lol!

But what excites me the most from this haul were the ceramic ware. I got a very nice leaf soy dish, perfect for Fall, and an egg tray! Yay! I've been seeing ceramic egg trays on Instagram online shops and been wanting to have one; I'm really glad that I finally got one for myself now. Hopefully, the small department store here will have an egg tray by 6s. Now I have a new palette and water cup for my watercolor - yes, they're for my watercolors! *grin*

So here it is, I'm sharing with you my mini October haul together with their prices to give you an idea of how much I purchased these arts and crafts stuff. Enjoy!

Monet Watercolour Paints in 12ml Tubes - Php159.75

Colleen Poster Colors in Silver and Gold

Colleen Poster Color in Gold - Php38.50 

 Colleen Poster Color in Silver - Php38.50

Faber-Castell Pencil in No. 1 and 2 - Php19.75 each pack

2 Somssi 'Thank You' Decoration Sticker - Php19.00 each

Ceramic Leaf Soy Dish - Php32.00

Ceramic Egg Tray - Php95.00

Hi there, Pepper!

Meet our beautiful Pepper!

♥

Day 24-30: September Calligraphy Challenge

Finally, challenge completed!

I feel so proud and fulfilled that I was able to complete this month's lettering challenge and it was such a satisfying feeling to see that my work improved a lot.

Hopefully, I could still continue to participate on such challenges; depending on how busy I'll become, but will definitely try. 

'Til next! Here's for the last week of September's #HappyLetteringChallenge. Enjoy!

Day24: Tart

Day25: Tantalizing

Day26: Sugar-coated

Day27: Lush

Day28: Cream

Day29: Zing

Day30: Fiery

Materials Used:

• Canson Watercolor Paper

• Ordinary Jot Pad and Plain Index Card
• Simbalion Watercolor
• Scrivo Brush 000
• Pointed/Dip Pen

• Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush

• Black Calligraphy Ink

• Rosie's Studio Designer Papers (Prim & Proper, In Style, Book Club, Japonica)

• Rosie's Studio Cardstock Pad (Kraft Cardstock)

Mini Haul: Rosie's Studio is here!

One thing I like about living away from the city is I can control my spending spree on arts and crafts supplies. But the worst thing is I've been dreading for months on buying additional Rosie's Studio Designer Papers, which can only be found in Cebu, and we will only be back there on CL's sem-break. I haven't been in Tagbilaran for a long time as well, so I'm not sure if we have Rosie's Studio here in Bohol already.

Not until today.

Earlier, we had a quick trip to Island City Mall in Tagbilaran to look for CL's sportswear for her school's Foundation Day. And you wouldn't imagine how excited I am when I finally saw the newly renovated National Book Store there! Oh, my! We hurriedly went inside NBS and searched through each aisle to see if they have Rosie's Studio now. And surprise, surprise! They have! *happy dance*

My heart is jumping for joy and seeing all Rosie's Studio supplies is actually beyond expectation. I thought it will just only occupy a small space but then, unexpectedly, Rosie's Studio occupies almost more than half of the hobbies and crafts shelf.

Amazingly, aside from designer papers, die cuts, and clear stamps, there were foil numbers, foil clear stickers, sticker embellishment pack, craft stencil, decorative brads, embellishment packs, flower embellishments, and more!

Every Boholana crafter's heart will really jump for joy when they see these! 

But of course, even though they're in front of me and can easily grab all of them, still, I have to constantly remind myself not to hoard! LOL! So, in the end, I only bought designer papers - 3 of 'em! *grin*

Here they are, my mini Rosie's Studio haul.

All Rosie's Studio Designer Papers contains 40 pieces of 6"x6" uniquely designed, printed quality pages.

Rosie's Studio Designer Papers {Japonica}

40 pages, 20 designs

Php125.00

Rosie's Studio Designer Papers {My Favourite Recipe}

40 pages, 10 designs

Php125.00

Rosie's Studio Designer Papers {Pink Lemonade}

40 pages, 20 designs

Php135.00

Lovely, aren't they?! If you'd like to check them out or perhaps hoard these goodies, just visit any National Book Store near you.

Can't wait for another mini haul. 'Til next! *wink*

Day 17-23: September Calligraphy Challenge

It's the second half of #HappyLetteringChallenge and there's only a week left before it ends.

I'm glad I decided to join a lettering challenge after a long hiatus because I'm really inspired to do my best now. And with that, I have a lot in mind on what I'm planning to achieve. I'm really crossing my fingers on this and I'm really wishing and believing that I'll have a continuous drive to learn.

Let's hope for the best! *wink*

Here's my Days 17-23.

Day17: Juicy

Day18: Morsel

Day19: Piquant

Day20: Sweetened

Day21: Zest

Day22: Peppery

Day23: Bitter

Materials Used:

• Canson Watercolor Paper

• Ordinary Jot Pad and Plain Index Card
• Simbalion Watercolor
• Scrivo Brush 000
• Pointed/Dip Pen

• Kuretake Zig Clean Color Real Brush

• The Craft Central's Calligraphy Ink in Blue & Walnut

• Scrapbook Paper and Journaling Cards
• Rosie's Studio Designer Papers (Prim & Proper, In Style, Book Club)

• Rosie's Studio Cardstock Pad (Kraft Cardstock)