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)

Day 10-16: September Calligraphy Challenge

This week's #HappyLetteringChallenge was a bit toned down when it comes to colors and papers used for calligraphy.

But of course, the progress is still more important which is, I think, pretty good. I'm satisfied with my pointed pen calligraphy, I somewhat tried a little flourishing on Day11, but of course, I need more improvement on this and I'm really aiming to learn the different flourishing techniques. 

However, brush lettering's the opposite. I'm really not sure what happened, but I think it has something to do with the watercolor I'm using; it doesn't inspire me anymore and I'm not getting the outcome that I've been aiming for. For the past few weeks, I've been thinking of buying a new one, which I think is about time if I'm going to expand my calligraphy skills with wreath and florals and foliage. I've been eyeing Winsor and Newton, Dr. Ph.Martin's Hydrus Fine Art Watercolor and Prima Watercolor Confections, specifically the Pastel Dreams. But I guess, for now, I'm going to settle with Prima.

Oh my, hopefully, I'll get my hands on them really soon! And while we're waiting for that day to come, please check out my Days 10-16 of #HappyLetteringChallenge.

Day10: Melt 

 

Day11: Gritty 

 

Day12: Relish 

 

Day13: Spice 

 

Day14: Bland 

 

Day15: Rich 

 

Day16: Delectable

Materials Used:

• Canson Watercolor Paper
• Simbalion Watercolor
• Scrivo Brush 000
• Pointed/Dip Pen

• The Craft Central's Calligraphy Ink in Magenta

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

My Mom's Purple Asters

I deeply adore flowers and it is only now that I'm more interested in them than before.
One of my favorites is this daisy-like flower - Purple Aster. This flower is really meaningful for me, it symbolizes a new beginning for my mother. And every time I looked at them, I am always reminded of my parent's most-awaited day.
However, as much as I wanted to keep them close to me, I stopped placing them in my room because of my unending allergic rhinitis. Ahhh, allergens! But it's okay, I can freely gaze at them from my mother's garden. *smile*