Currently 1.1.18

Whoa it's 2018!

I'm pouring my thoughts on the first day of the year, and there's still so much to do but I'm hopeful.

I know I have to be patient with blogging, and I have to prioritize school and work. In the meantime, here are updates.

Work

Maybe I’m not the only one who feels like a robot whose vacation mode has been disrupted. I took quite a long time away from work, so when it was time to come back after Christmas and Boxing Day, I kind of lost my routine and also didn’t know what to do first. But then, there’s still New Year to think about, then it won’t be long before reality will have to bite back sooner or later. 

School

Even if we’re on a break from school, we still have homework to think of. It’s also quite a challenge since I decided to take the dive and take on full load of 12 units, that’s suicide! Or so I’ve been told. But I’m praying and wishing that I can survive. I’m enjoying my time off in the meantime. 

Writing

Well my writing life goes both ways. There’s the analog and digital writing life.

I’ve become productive at least writing down things that I’m supposed to finish in my new Mini Happy Planner. It’s so cute and I’m so afraid to ruin it with uneven pen strokes lol.  As for travel writing, I still take with me a traveler’s notebook, pens and washi even for short road trips.

I didn’t realize that running out of ink can irritate me and test my patience. It’s a necessity that I complete my traveler’s notebook so that I can move on to the next one. Does this give me license to get a pretty set for Pilot Juice Metallics for New Year?

In the digital arena, 1) I’m back to blogging because 2) I have a new laptop! It’s light, it’s fast, it’s cool and it’s one of the best investments I’ve made this year. Yehey for productivity! I don’t know where I’ll be without the card reader too lol. 

Travel

I went on a quick road trip with C for a couple of days, the traveling time took a toll on me. I don’t know why. It’s not my first long bus ride this year, having gone to Pampanga, Oslob and Baguio earlier this year. But for some reason, the bus ride to Pagadian just didn’t sit very well with me. I’ve always disliked traveling to Pagadian by bus, but had no problems traveling further via private vehicle.

Despite the crazy bus ride, I’m grateful for the quick time out and also time spent with C. But we’ve got travel plans brewing for 2018. 

There's a lot to be grateful for, as 2017 ended and 2018 has just begun. I know that it takes time for my dreams to come true, but I also can't help but feel blessed that I have my family, friends and C beside me through it all. 

Washi & Co Bundle Deals: Feeding The Washi Hoarder in You

It’s no secret that I have a weakness for pretty washi. And where do you go for pretty washi? Washi & Co!

Washi & Co is a heavenly shop for those who find joy and thrill in owning pretty washi, yes I can’t emphasize that enough. So when bundle deals were announced, there I was again with head lolled to one side, thinking about restraining myself.

And as you know how the story ends, I got three bundles.

Temptation.

I gave in.

But hey, look at all this….

I got a teal bundle; 

And there's a pink bundle;

And florals;

And patterns….

Washi & Co is Davao-based that curates pretty washi for all seasons and all moods. I’m also keeping an eye out for the Christmas selection there, because they’re the non-traditional, sleek designs. To tell you, I’ll be proud to show them off with my Christmas packages even if let’s say I’ll be giving away baked goods in glassine bags to friends. That will be a nice touch.

I’ll get my hands on them soon.

School has made me busy with requirements for our midterms. Priorities. I even complained that I don’t have that much time to do creative stuff anymore.

But having new washi to play with kind of makes me giddy and excited inside. And the thought of having new ones for Christmas too.

There’s so much going on with my academic and family life right now, that plus the demands of work and it all makes me wonder how much sleep I have lately. I can get through it all though, one day at a time.

Besides, washi is always a good idea. Right? 

Like Washi & Co on Facebook and you can follow them on Instagram! 

What do you think of the bundle deals? Did you get some too? Which ones are your favorites? Let me know by leaving comments below! 

Category: stationery, washi, crafts

Shop Feature: Washi and Stamps Haul From Cathy’s Craft Buffet

This is where browsing Facebook arts groups can lead me to. 

The special feature about Cathy’sCraft Buffet is the 3 for Php 100 deal and believe me when I say that the washi rolls are the premium ones. I’ve seen the same washi on sale in other shops for more bucks, and since the ones I spotted in her offerings are patterns, seaside, galaxy and brown vintage ones, I dove in and helped myself, so to speak.

The choices from my buffet came with a freebie consisting of hot air balloon clear stickers. This is quite significant for me because I always have special memories associated with hot air balloons. They always bring back beautiful memories of a weekend where everything flies.

Not only that. Since I have a total of 16 rolls from this haul alone, I also received a reusable, compartmentalized box that’s just the right size for all my orders. I’m not sure how many clients Miss Cathy has who have received this, but this has got to be a thoughtful gesture.

Taking a look at my haul one by one, I have wooden number stamps that also come with fun icons such as camera, phone, mustache and others. I thought it would be good for stamp layering and dates. I’ve already tried them out on my Limelight Journal and they’re great with my Tsukineko ink pads in Coffee Bean and Pearlescent Olive. It seems like my favorite color palette anyway; what else is new?

As for the washi, I consider myself lucky to have scored these brown vintage ones. One is postale themed, the other one has typo textured script. I like it together with my vintage spreads on my journal and they look great with my postale wooden stamps from Deco Art Ph.

Onto the patterned washi, I have dusty blue ones that are a mixed pattern. There are florals and polkas, and also vivid, Morrocan washi in bright pinks, purples and red. I also adore the muted browns, blues and grays, also in patterns.

Now the convincing factor for me is the galaxy washi. Okay, I got a little carried away and got four. But looking at the swatches takes me away to a dark, starry sky and you know that I’m hooked. That and I did a post last time about galaxy washi.

And finally, there’s the seaside washi that I got two of. I love them both. I get to go all out with purples and oranges because of these two.

So that sums up my haul. I like that everything is super affordable and kind of haul-inducive if you’re like me with poor self-control when it comes to washis, stamps, stickers and writing instruments.

I know, I know. I need more discipline. But with deals so good such as this, who’s ready to pass up?

For premium washi tapes at 3 rolls for only Php 100, visit Cathy's Craft Buffet on Facebook. It's worth your while, I bet ya! 

Washi Wednesday: World Map Washi

To help get over hump day, I have a small selection of washi for inspiration. These are not mine, but I do wish they were. I have yet to hunt them down and hoard them one by one. Just kidding (not).

These are the world map washi that I’ve saved on my Pinterest board. However, I’ve seen a couple of local shops that carry world map washi. 

World map washi is for those journal enthusiasts or diarists who suffer from an irreversible epidemic or a symptom of the equally contagious bite of the travel bug.

Unfortunately, there’s no antidote to this.

Here you go, feed that wanderlust.