So Cute It Hurts

nice to meet you

Happy mid-week.

Sorry for the silence. I'm still here, just feeling a bit quiet lately. But before i say anything more, i must first say Thank You Thank You Thank You to all the lovely ladies who so graciously left such sweet and kind comments in this space during my time away.

I finally got around to snap a couple of photos of my two girls together and Kuroo's new wig. We certainly had a few good laughs over here styling Kuroo's new wig and these girls are such fun to photograph. I couldn't decide which photo to post today, so i picked a couple (well, make that all).

They look like sisters, don't you think? Finally, Coco and her only sister (for now), Kuroo, were in the same place at the same time. Coco did her part of not freaking out and Kuroo did hers by sharing her toys. Seeing the two babies together was sweeter than any candies!

I am head over heels for the sweet creations by Carrie of Sleeping Elf. I know some of you have seen Carrie's work before, but i found it recently and was so happy i managed to land a custom order for one of her gorgeous handmade wig. This wig is so well-made and maybe it's just me, but i think it's too cute for words. Truly.

Taking it easy this week.
Be back soon.
Love to you.

Buntings make me happy

A little while ago i had the pleasure of contacting Anna to ask if she could custom design a new set of sewing labels for So Cute It Hurts. I was pleased as punch when she said yes! It turned out exactly how i wanted it ~ simple and beautiful with one of my favorite : colorful buntings. Just in time for Spring.

I am head over heels for the sweet creations by Anna of lillalotta. She makes such beautiful and colorful tapes and prints out of her original Lilla Lotta goodness and illustrations.

Anna has always been designing and creating my lovely sewing labels since So Cute It Hurts was born and there isn't a vistor that comes by that doesn't compliment me on it or ask me where it's from. Anna also has a nifty blog, check it out for posts about her recent projects and new additions in her shop.

I can't stop smiling when i sew these new labels.
It makes me happy.
Have a lovely weekend, friends!
Love to you!

I've crossed the line...

Look how spoiled my little one has been lately when it comes to one of my favorite things: Mail. I've had the good fortune of being able to order a few lovely items for my Coco. Except for this miniature model camera, i placed orders that support amazing crafters whose creations i have come to know and love.

This tiny gem above hasn't and won't leave my little one's fingers any time soon. One of my best girl, Pei Li, found it for me on Photojojo. This camera is very detailed and very real looking 1/6 scale model of my life-size DSLR with every button, screen, switch, and dial in place. I love it!

This charming little replica comes with three detachable lenses with removable lens hoods! And just when i thought it couldn't get any more want-worthy, a snap happy plastic dino is included too!

Hope you had a great weekend. Mine hasn't turned out too awesome. I've been down for the count since Friday morning with a nasty headache/body-ache and a gastric flu. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that doctor's prescription and taking it easy this week will contribute to a speedy recovery.

Have a wonderful merry week, sweet friends.
Keep warm.
Love to you.

all things handmade

It makes me really happy to say that i finished that unexpected huge order and delivered it to a happy customer. Now i can come up for air and breathe.

While at Pipit wonderful market 7, i had the pleasure of not only meeting wonderful crafty ladies, but i managed to score some nifty handmade goodies. Purchasing handmade creations by others is one of my favorite things ever. EVER. They make me happy.

Loving my new plush from the super talented lady of Pocoleizi. I love each and every one of her plushes, and she has endless designs which made it terribly hard to choose. I Can't wait to sew a little dress for this little one! I even bought a little chair for her to sit on ~ an Evangelione collection.

A lace ribbon rack for all my loveliness! What a score. This is designed and handmade by the super talented folks at LazyboneHandmade. I plan to make a little cover for it.

I've also used my camera a great deal and i even had the pleasure of meeting readers i knew and i never knew were out there reading. I really appreciate those of you stopping by to say hi. I'll be back with lots of photos and a complete play by play next week.

But for now i wanted to show you some of my newest tote bags. Tote bags with handmade button closure, leather handles and lots of inside organization (very much needed). To be honest, i've been hoarding all of these fabrics for a while now. It must be the bold illustration and the colors. Yep, I'm definitely a fan of the colors.

I finished putting my first batch of holiday totes and handmade journals in the shop. I'm feeling sorta like patting myself on the back for finally meeting this crafty goal. Now i am going to get started on a couple of Christmas projects ~ limited edition holiday goodies. Not sure what my plan is just yet, but i have several ideas in the works.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend.
Stay warm.
Love to you and yours.

feeling very grateful

to be healthy again. Friday is here. It's my easy day because it's a holiday here in this city of shared stories. It's also the day where I get to spend time doing the things i love.

My best girl Brenda introduced me to Body tuina therapy in hope that in times it will help reduce or even cure my "recurring vascular displeasure" at Health Cite. It was quite a relaxing experience.

Tuina is a form of Chinese therapeutic treatment/massage practiced for thousands of years. By stimulating reflex points and acupoints on various meridians, it improves blood circulation, relaxes the mind and strengthens lymphatic flow.

As it was my first time, i only went for neck and shoulder tunia therapy. The certified tunia therapist took the time to understand my needs and ensured that i walk out feeling healthier and fully charged. I think I'm mainly just super excited about having some energy back.

I wanted to say thank you for all the super kind and supportive comments sent my way about the buttons and blossoms iCase. I know i've mentioned it here loads of times, but I really do have the most wonderful blog friends. It makes me a little misty just thinking about it.

Someone i know (and love) is going to eat cake and wear a party hat this weekend. The mister and i are planning for celebration and unbridled fun this long weekend as we count down to his birthday. Whoo Hoo.

Besides the beeeutiful weekend to get to celebrate with the Mister, i've got my meet-up with my best girl Alice for a little cupcakes baking this afternoon. I also look forward to my morning cup of tea, sewing, and cooking. Hope you have a great weekend and i hope it treats you well. Lots of love to you and yours! 

i'm digging

Happy friday. I hope you've had a lovely week. I've been swamped with some exciting news and a new opportunity, which are my excuse for being super quiet in this space for the last couple of days. The weekend is here now and two big projects are waiting for me to tackle ~ one of which is a new project waiting to be announced soon. I'll keep it a suspend for a while longer. I'm feeling mostly good.

How sweet it is! I have to introduce you to Delectable in this city of shared stories. There's always something to love with all their sweet fabulousness. I first discovered it while searching for a local craft shop last spring and i've been visiting it ever since.

After a few correspondences, sweet Su, owner of Delectable, invited me to meet with her for coffee at her lovely shop. It was a dream come true to be able to meet Su. She is so nice and open, very easy to talk to and shares her experiences/views with me about being a striving artist working towards her creative dream. It's refreshing to listen to her and be instantly connected to a voice that is speaking my language, and i don't mean English.

Our little coffee time meeting reminded me of the value of positive female friendships ~ friends that listen, support and advise ~ women that care. I respect, admire and above all, cherish Su for her wisdom and how genuine she is. These are all very important things to me.

Thanks Su, for all that you are, for all that you do and everything you share with your growing base of fans {i am one of them!}.

I hope that if you're ever here you'll seek it out and support this business because their desserts are the best ever! Plus Delectable is darling inside. Too cute and a total eye candy, don't you agree?

Have a lovely sweet cupcake kinda weekend, lovely friends! Love to you and yours!

Update : Come join me at talented Katie's Art Wall fan favorites column! Thanks Katie!

sticky, sweet and cuteness

Just like that, another week has flown by. 

Today, let's take a trip to Antwerp Belgium to visit a lovely little shop along Melkmarket that also functions online for those not living nearby. Antwerp, a beautiful city blessed with amazing architecture, fashionable shops, inspired artworks and restaurants. It's commonly known for it's rich culture, history and world class shopping areas!

Among all these amazing shops, lies this very cute sweet little shop, Akotee. One thing that lured me into Akotee really, was the red with white dots logo and shop design! Yes, i'm such a dot nerd!

I did a little research and found out that the owner, Sonia Rymenas, opened her first shop in Antwerp back in 1973, inspired by Mexican culture. As time went by with many evolutions, Akotee was born. This little shop offers many useful, funny, sweet and sometimes strange "goodies". From special clocks, lamps, polka dot heels (!) to all kinds of bags for bikes, shopping, and casual in beautiful bright happy colors. You name it, they have it all!

I spent some time ooooing and ahhhhing over everything! Lovely, aren't they? I couldn't resist the sticky sweet cuteness of this special and very successful brand ~ "Kitch Kitchen". I treated myself to one of their lovely bags.

I hope that if you're ever there in Antwerp, you'll seek it out. Now it's time to go, i'm afraid. But don't worry, Akotee online is just a mouse click away! I'll be back next week with some weekend tibits.

Have a lovely merry happy charming weekend! Lots of love from me to you!

Did someone say quilt?

...me! I have some exciting news to share here with you. After months of hoping and hunting high and low for some sewing courses, i'm finally getting some good feeling about it. Believe me when i said hunting high and low, every time and every chance i get when i passed by an alteration or dress making shop, i always pop-ed in and asked if they were offering any sewing courses and each time i get a disappointing no.

So...my little magical story begin on labor day holiday (1st of May) ~ when a couple days old piece of newspaper landed on my feet as i was taking out my laundry from the washing machine. My housemate usually kept all the old newspapers stacked up at the corner of the washing room..and i guess the wind must have blew one piece of it away from it's resting spot. As i picked it up, there it was a piece of article title "Creative needlecraft ". My face was glowing with happiness and excitement after i finished reading the article...and i guess you can figure out the rest of the story.

This was how i came about and enrolled me to my next adventure ~ a quilting course! :) I can't tell you how excited i am about this. Kim definitely can. He knows exactly how much because I've told him about a thousand times. Honestly, I think he's looking forward to my course as much as I am.

{Picked the fabrics for my quilt project}

I'm starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel here. I'm fairly certain I see a glimmer, which makes me want to do some type of fancy flip or that move where you jump in the air while clicking your heels together. One thing for sure, it's nice...really nice to finally have someone on a one to one advisory and guidance...and it's gonna be a huge improvement for me on my skill of sewing and needlework. It's kinda cool how things all come together at the right time especially now when im also thinking of a huge list of new items and updates for my little shop. 

{All washed and ironed...looking forward to first day of class!}

These next few months are gonna be pretty exciting for me. I am really looking forward to it. More soon on this new adventure sewing quest!  Have a wonderful merry happy weekend, be well and love to you and yours!