Gratitude Pages from August 2025

 

Got some really fun sandals from Camper!  And new luggage from the airlines because they couldn't repair the damage to my old one.:)

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Make Stuff Monday - upcycled matcha whisk container

 

I'm old school when it comes to making matcha. I love getting out my ceramic chawan and bamboo whisk to make my matcha latte. Unfortunately no matter how careful you are, the bamboo whisk needs to get replaced every 6 months or so. My recent matcha whisk came in a sturdy cardboard container...which makes for a lovely up cycling project! *high fives all around*

Even got to decorate the top of the container. It turned out really pretty! :)

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Last May in my gratitude journal

 

A week in May 2025 spent in Ho Chi Minh, staying at my usual hotel , Caravelle. Even though it was 2 months after my birthday, they still gave me cake! *winks* 

I also went to my cousin's place (He's married to a Vietnamese and resides in HCM) to visit his gazillion cats. He and his wife go around rescuing cats to save them from being eaten. I was very busy at his place...too many cats to cuddle..no time to rest. *LOL*

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Meet my new Miffy art journal!

 

So I had been eyeing the Miffy x Ana Tony bags online for a while but wasn't sure I wanted to drop so much money on a fabric bag without touching it and seeing it in person. Last week I finally made my way down to a physical store in Kuala Lumpur but alas, the collection has sold out...

However they still had a few customisable Miffy journals available...so obviously I had to make my trip worthwhile...and bought ONE! Tempted to buy the other available design too but decided to be good. *winks*

You can choose the papers you want ...lined, dated, plain...needless to say I went for the watercolour papers. These are refillable. :) Since it is a fabric journal cover, I paid for a plastic sleeve to keep Miffy clean. And did you see my name embossed on the cover in very subtle gold?

They also included two fun sticker sheets! Super happy with my purchase (about US$40).

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Eye drawings for the first week of May 2026

 

Been really really enjoying the eye drawings these days even though it takes a lot longer....with the back and forth between watercolours and coloured pencils since I have to let it dry completely. But definitely learning new techniques from the practice.

Not sure if you can see but the granulating watercolours create such unique textures...which I love.:)

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A page from the gratitude journalv- happy mail from Lizzy

 Always a good day when you get happy mail!:)

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Make Stuff Monday - sticking stickers is my creative time too

 

These days creative time is hard to come by so I'll take sticking my cute Miffy stickers on my wireless earpiece as my creative time. After all, there were important decisions to be made regarding which cute Miffy to use to best cover up the brand name (yep...one of those corporate gifts). :)

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What's new in my life - May 2026 edition

 

Haven't shared a What's new in my life in a while...

First up some new kitchen stuff...cookware and serving ware from Scanpan. 

Also went to the Le Creuset Family & Friends sale...and scored a 26cm French oven that I had my eye on (not my fave colour..they only had it in black...but it does looks pretty badass!)...and a skillet (which I have used every day since I got it)..and a braiser for the Penang bestie.

Got some cute Miffy x Le Sportsac stuff at a recent sale.

And check out these pretty dumbbells my sister got for the folks. The system makes changing the weights out so hassle-free. Guess who will be using them??? *winks*

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A page from the gratitude journal - new friends from Bangkok

 

I love using wooden utensils...but they do wear out after some time. So whenever I travel, I will pick up a few new ones as my "backup". They also make lovely gifts for friends. :)

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Last of the April eye drawings

 

Life gets busy but I've really been enjoying my Holbein granulating watercolours...they really add depth to the eye drawings. Currently experimenting with doing a first wash with watercolours, in with the coloured pencils, back in with watercolours and finishing with coloured pencils, pen and marker.

This one was done with a first wash of watercolours and just finished with coloured pencils, pen and marker. Much faster process but doesn't quite achieve the depth like the previous one right?

Whatever it is, learn and have fun with the process!

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More eye drawings!

 

Getting back into a routine has been hard. But I look forward to adding lashes with my calligraphy brush pen. It requires some finesse and lots of practice...and I can't practise until I draw the eye..so that's what has been getting me going. *LOL*

Plus the new Holbein watercolours of course. I love creating "chaos" with it and then establsihing structure back with the pens and pencils. :)

And of course, using a different Miffy clip with each drawing. *winks*

Happy Tuesday friends!

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My Melody stash from Japan - in my gratitude journal

 

Got so many My Melody stuff in 2025. This was the first batch that my sister got me from Japan. :)

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This week in eye drawings

 

Back to having fun with the eye drawings...adding a black brush pen for the lashes to the mix. :)

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Make Stuff Monday - upcycled black paper bag

 

Been really diligent about using up packaging in my projects these days...can you spot the packaging bits? *winks*

1. The white tab...cardboard packaging from skincare.

2. The patterned base paper with lace design...packaging from art supplies

3. The fussy-cut girl...packaging from art supplies.

Did you get them right? :)

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Pages from the 2025 gratitude journal

 

Kuriya Dining is my fave Japanese restaurant in Singapore so I always enjoy my meals there. Especially since the dining experiences are far and fewer in between these days. I only head to town once a week to run errands and the restaurant is small so advanced booking is required. Sometimes the stars just don't align. *melancholic music plays in the background*

And sometimes we need to support the local guys too. Like this small restaurant called 8picure. The savoury dishes were great though the dessert left us wanting. This place is even smaller...only seats 10. So I've only been there once. 

Ahhh... last year's stay at the Shangri-La KL. Really love this hotel. The best breakfast buffet spread, Loccitane toiletries, swimming pool and sauna (my must-haves) and of course, a free upgrade to a suite (if that's available)...but not always my choice because of its location sadly. Traffic in the city area in Kuala Lumpur is often one way so it's just faster to walk to places. And who wants to walk 20 minutes in the heat instead of 5 minutes right? How many of us have given up cozy comfort for convenience? *LOL*

Also got my new iPad last year on the same trip so it was a happy experience. :)

Happy weekend friends!

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