handmade soap

I did what mama Ade taught step by step... except the glitter part. Looking around my limited resources and time, i replaced with pandan leave inside the soap, at the very last minutes of thought.

Outcome is, the small little piece of pandan leave smell is stronger than the lavender essential oil.

credits: paper from Amy Sumrall & Michelle Coleman, present doodles fr Angelica, stamp fr Heidi Williams (W&W).

Ingredients: glycerine soap, food colouring, surgical spirits, lavender essential oil, pandan leave

Thank you mama Ade for her kind sharing:).

simply Christmas

My daughter and I simply enjoyed this Christmas. She learnt and had fun...

credits: paper fr Bohemian Art, frame fr Joanne Bain Designs, alpha fr Heidi Williams & brush fr Heidi Williams(W&W), christmas tree fr Michelle Coleman (LDD).

Thanks to Mama Ade and 4malmal's inspiration, we made soap as gifts to my colleagues and she painted her own Christmas tree for our new house this year.

I am nailed the image as stingy mum, i know. but in both do-it-yourself way of welcoming a festive, I see a pure childhood of my old days in her, simply fun, interestingly, creatively. I believe so, jolly. And I think I manage to reduce shopping (again) and hopefully earth friendly as well.

I wish I can repeat this simplicity to her again in next festive, next Christmas.
anyhooo... I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

credits: paper fr Angelica E., embellishment fr Lori Barnhurst & brush from Heidi Williams

(to be continued...btw, im sorry for late posting of this entry, i thank & love the comments in my previous entry and just realise that i have been posting food for this whole month, unbelievable...)

a secret corner with tim

Long overdue scrapbook. Promised Mamabliss to share with her the pictures.

credits:- papers from Julia Makotinsky & BohemianArt; photo frame from Feifei's stuff; embellishment fr CDMuckosky.

As far as a 19 years old relationship concerned, I'm still in pain. Scrapbooking in a Sunday afternoon is a therapy.

Come to think about it, SC is right, it never easy to keep one old friend. So lets get over it! and move on to a contented life.

Artful Lil' Hands @ Marina Barrage

As promised (to my self)... :), and thank goodness I did it:- A splashing good time documented in a brushing scrapbook.

My girl had been coop in the house with my MIL since we moved. Joining Artful Lil Hands for a day not only allow her to step out of the house to socialise, but also refreshing her memory that she has all these good friends where she used to have fun with. At first, she was stunt for a while when seeing layla, caitlin and cherryln arrived & stand in front of her (she even hide behind me). Then she took about 15-20 mins to warm-up and get into the water and play with others. She wasn't wild like her usual self. She seems more fun when we were lunch-ing with Caitlin and Mummy Adeline.

But She shouted for Emmie and Caitlin and Layla in our journey home. She was giggle in her dream that night.

photos from mamabliss
credits: feifei's stuff, weedsandwildflowersdesign & Anna Aspnes.

Appreciate if you could feedback on this layout as I didn't spend much time on this and I have long time not scrapbooking. I alomost losing my mojo until i found Shaui's creation. Special thanks to Shaui on such an impressive freebie.
Many thanks and happy weekend to you.

today

I had a dashing Wednesday *grin*.

Went to Marina Barrage for Hy's long lost Artful Lil' Hands in the morning. Of course she had a splashing happy time, even though she took about 20 mins to warm-up and got into the water for play & fun around with her friends. Another recap here... my scrapbook is half way done. Then lunch (with Caitlin & mummy Adeline), grocery shopped & rushed back for her nap before taking her out again to homelibrary for collecting my order... and perhaps if the weather permits, plan to visit Admiralty Park in the evening.

Unfortunately it rained, so plan changed and I went alone to collect the books. Chatted with Carissa for a while, impressed again with homeschooling.

It was 5.30 when I reached back home, and Hy was standing in the living hall with puffy red eyes. MIL said, she cried for me once she woke up. Cuddled her, fed her, bathed her & trimmed her nails. Then gave her the book of We're Going on a Bear Hunt as a start to keeping her accompany while I cook. Thank goodness MIL able to read to her.

It was not a very healthy dinner: frozen roasted eel, cooked red spinach in dried scallop broth, prawns, luncheon meat and miso soup. I cooked what I had in the kitchen:). I fed Hy mostly red spinach:p.

The day ended with 2 more readings of James Mayhew to Hy. She seems more interested into the picture than the reading. And I must admit that I didn't pronounced the artists' name correctly to her.

Anyhow, I take it as a good start to learn together with her. [special thanks to mummies Adeline, Pauline & Joyce in guiding me the selection of books.]

Obviously I miss the day of SAHM:).

whew...

Yeah... it is not HFMD. Hy's ulcer gone today & back to normal self, according to SC and mum-in-law(mil). While I was in orientation programme today and work out a brief '09 strategic plan (unbelievable hurr), I also learnt to fully trust my mil in handling Hy.

Hy doesn't have good chemistry click with my mil, who has too much worries and restriction (Even I wondering why never be encouraging and supportive). Hy rejects her most of the time, be it drinking water or outing to playground. For the first few weeks of their arrival, I was exhausted to handle cranky Hy and 2 elderly(she and her unmarried brother). Come to an extend, I couldn't leave them at home without SC or my self. And Hy, in such a situation, knows whom to bully and what to demand. So, It was a bit stress for me during the packing & moving time. Situation changed last weekend when I see Hy willing & responsively to her for an hour of reading books last weekend.

So, mil can read to Hy. wow...

I truly appreciate creativebbee's kind advice. It was a great relief when reading your reply early this morning (in office) without checking on Hy's mouth. You sound so confident to me! Sometime I think blogging & learning things in the net is a gateway to meet angels and get blessings. *smile* Anyway, will definally try 100 plus if she is terribly ill and refuse water. And hui, seeking expert advice on her means outing and more exposure to virus and germ, so I decided bravely to quarantine her.

Sorry, no photo to show at the moment as camera broke. Moreover, nothing to shout about on 90+ sq m. apartment. I even think that house warming is kinda 'neh...'

But we alway welcome visitors :).

A Tuesday

Is coming to 3pm and I'm eating my lunch. Actually, it is Hy's left-over noodle.

Was cleaning my new house (again) after 11 days of moving in.^^ I took the opportunity to wipe the thick black yucky dust on windows frame & toilet duct (my reachable height;p).

Anyway, the feeling of cozy home is slowly forming up in good shape as SC took 2 days to assemble the newly arrived Ikea furniture. Books, clothes, and many other stuff are pretty much allocated their new space. Other than that, we just need to look for at least a floor lamp for living hall and curtain rod sets. Yes, I still have not put up the curtain and blinds, so mopping floor daily is a must for me and my mother-in-law. Thank goodness is only 94 sq m., it is still within my capability.

btw, can anyone tell me, how high is the change of a 3 years old toddler getting an ulcer because of heatiness? Hy suddenly popped up an ulcer this morning. Makes me worry. Praying hard that it is not hand-foot-mouth disease, cause she seems maintenance her appetite & activeness, thought had a 38°C on Sunday night and yesterday. Which is the reason I'm attempting to take childcare leave today.

the true pain

I don't quite like my position now.

After being away from work, I realise that many things are beyond my ability. I'm not being meticulous and seems like I'm losing my curiosity on new things. I was being questioned, and unable to find an answer for the tabulation I compiled when I discuss with Jag. So embarrassing~!

On the other hand, Hy becomes fiercely & demanding more attention whenever she has the chance to be with us. She will be charmed when seeing us home, but gets cranky easily if I didn't attend to her. She was being punished to her 'thinking corner' almost every evening. One mid night of this week, she shake me up and pestering for water, then pee at 4+, then milk at 5+, then my alarm rang & she asked for pee. I had to step out of the house surreptitiously. She dozed off at 7.30am. I heard my mum said, she woke up at 8+am and see no daddy & mummy, she threw tantrum & fell back into sleep again till 12+.

Poor girl who is unwilling in this absent of mother. I don't spank her for her misbehaviour, but pretending angry and asked her to stand at her 'thinking corner'. I'm not sure I should pamper her by fulfilling her extra volume of request. Or to be firm on rejecting certain ridiculous (to us) request. My mum is trying her very best to be nice & caring, unfortunately, the fussy little one is not appreciating, and attempting to cross over the forbidden boundary.

A colleague who seems thinking of quiting job and be a full time mum was asking me whether worth staying at home with the little one or not. I said, yes for sure. The only problem is, the transition period of mine now (without telling her the detail).

I don't know how bad will this transition be. Giving up is certainly the easier way of solving the problem...

i did it!

I am so going to buy a sewing machine~!!!

Thanks to mambliss, I completed a beautiful task at the very last day of my sahm living~! It is a present for HY's coming birthday. A present to apology that mummy will not longer stay a whole day long with her everyday.

I didn't mention the reason behind it to HY. She was charmed by first look on it. That motivates me a lot... and relieved my guiltiness. I must say, I have a good teacher & therapist. I was doubt in many things about motherhood; I never do a good job on sewing, even my mum is impressed to see the hat. She knows my limit of patience and skills.

Pauline is my hero~!

Looking the hat on HY and my mum who just arrived. I started to have wild dream. I decided to learn more about sewing, in slower pace (since i no longer SAHM). 

Please witness & remind me if i don't.

.

Before that, mamabliss, when is your next lesson ^.*?

colouring

I... wanted to do a layout like this, many fancy elements around the picture(s), like what Ruth, my sifu(teacher of d-scrapbooking), always do. But I 'digressed'.

credit:- paper fr FEIstuff_rayoflight_solids, button alpha from Eva Recinella, doodle frame, dots & butterfly fr weeds & wildflowers design, photos frame fr Fran, flowers (modified) fr rakscrap.com

The effect of filtering my daughter into sketching background pretty not bad, right? :p I'm thinking of changing the green background...

Little Bud's 1st Excursion

To Singapore Garden Festival :). The pictures was taken by Monica (Brainy Child's Principal) & teachers. Can tell, children are too excited to be able outside of the classroom. They can't settle for a while just for one shot.

Must say, the exhibits are stunning! I was in awe, the creations of using variety of floral & fauna are far far beyond my imagination & words to describe.

Surprisingly, we met Cherrlyn & daddy mummy on our way home. It was her birthday! And she is so nice to share her 1 of her helium balloons to little Bud. You know, this is our very first time to meet familiar face in spore *smile*.

credit:- all from angelica e., except alpha fr lsdsdesigns.

A simple layout with Angelica's happy doodle. She drawn her happiness for all of us. and it is so perfect for this scrapbook. Thanks dear.

Artful Lil' Hands ~ Pizza

Our 2nd session with Artful Lil' Hands amazed me again.

It was a 'lesson' getting the 11 kids to do mini pizza and they did it greatly. Pauline was saying, it was kind of stiring up a storm :p, but mummies all enjoy it very much, needless to mention our little ones running around and messing up her lofty house like nobody's business. HY was so focusing to get her toppings spread nicely, then immediately into exploring Tim's toys and everything!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Little Joyce & Little Cherrlyn \^o^/.

I must say, children are charming and mummies I met today are inspired. All the pretty ladies wanting to nurture their precious little ones a very fine person with happy togetherness (with mummy) kind of childhood. They are extraordinary Singaporean mummies to me. Mommy Evelyn is one of them. She is one of the rare mummies who hasn't send her little Layla into preschool or any programme. So I wonder, why didn't I surf and find for such a gang earlier and spend my past 2 years happily and interesting.

I am getting a job soon and sadly to say, I am so regretful now...

Anyway, I didn't bring camera today, SC took it with him to Portland. Please see more of our today story here and leave some candies to her :).

Preciously looking forward another playgroup.

Artful Lil' Hands @ Vivo City

My daughter and I just came back from an outing at Sky Park Amphitheathre of Vivo City. It was organised by Pauline.

As a usual kiddo, she was super happy till refused to go home. In this outing, she gotto do outdoor painting & meeting up new friends in a very breezeful day. Then, very soon kids' attention were switched to the ships and boats passing by the strait and forgotten about painting work :D. Pictures of them staring at the strait are adorable.

Eversince I visited ChinNee's site, I wished for such a local 'homebased' playgroup. I thought it will be cheapest way for my girl to learn in a slow & fun pace. Also, she always wanted to be accompanied/socialised. It took me quite some time to hop around (in the net) and searched in parenting forum for such a playgroup. That's how I met Ariel, and slowly I see more and more remarkable mommies in the net. Pauline is one of them. She amazes me! She giving me a provoked thought on my role to my girl if I continue keep her at home with nothing; if I keep slacking and do nothing benefits her.

credits:- paper & elements from Amy Sumrall.

I'm greatful to find something nice for my girl. Again, Thank you for accepting us and really nice to meet mommy Pauline & Timothy, mommy Joyce & Cherrlyn, mommy Adeline & Caitlin, mommy Ai Lei & Samuel. Looking forward to next playgroup.

See more story here^^.

Here in my home

Time now is 2.50am in Kulim, preciously online and I found this from shiyu. Indeed a great effort and truly nice song. I hope you like it.



from http://www.malaysianartistesforunity.info/.

Once step out of TanahAir (homeland), I then know how grateful I am to be live on this land :).

rewind...

During our honeymoon in South Island of New Zealand.
Suppose to be in a challenge... but i was late. Nevertheless...


another LO. 050301, this taken some where in Te Anau.

credit:- papers fr purpletulipdesigns, brads, stamp & paperclip fr ShabbyPrincess_UrbanKiwi, photo frame & stitches fr lgperspectives, blue string fr digital-crea.fr_fanciful-part4
these are old scraps, using PSD.

you are the reason i am

she used to be very tiny... very very...

in this page, first attempt into adding shadow at the photo frame's corners, and modified swirl from shabby princess.

credits:- paper fr angelicasdigiscrap's Joyful; swirls fr SP.com's Promise collection; ribbon fr digital-crea.fr's Magical Harmony; butterfly fr KelliePuddy; stitches fr ksharonk.

the cover page

纯粹是兴趣...，孩子是inspiration！

却一发不可收拾。

再次谢谢ruth给的动力，请多多指教。

用笨拙的文字，还不如借用这些漂亮的artwork。对不?

这是从Mun处"偷"出来的旧照片。

background 是adeyeo，爱の框即是FEIFEI。

非常喜欢菲菲的simplicity里有包着滿滿的爱。


......嗯......
只希望你们更赏心悦目。



[ps: 对着这张东西一整天了...变宅母(御宅族)了]