See Ya 2015

Hi guys, long time no see! I know it's probably longest time since last post, but I have my own reason. I have this blog as personal interest to push myself to learn more to create more but my day time job has occupied most of time in this season and I seriously couldn't spare any extra energy to produce more. Plus a wedding ahead next year.

I am lucky enough that I don't have a massive wedding, but as headstrong as a stone, I rather have my own invitation which represents myself so I have to manage my invites all by myself after work every day and that was hell of stress. I could have picked some designs from some printers but on the other hand, I thought it would be the best opportunity to practice with professional printers in terms of design formats. And I learnt it in a difficult way with anxiety and tears. Who knows how thin a picture it has to be to get foil stamped properly, who knows how long the turn around really would turn around? So I had to do all the cutting, sticking, and labeling excluding the design, eventually I finally got those raw yet imperfect invitations sent out. The other tip from me is do not underestimate the festive season if you also send out all the stationaries in the same season, because lots stuff you thought it's easy to get would be run out in no time. So at the end of the day, you spend way more at the local news agency who is trying to rip you off massively. C'est la vie.

For last couple of years, I had designed my own Christmas cards, gift wrapping or tags, but look at the dates now, I am too late for making anything but I love making my own personal touches on the cards, so even this costed me 2 hours wright after I finished my wedding invites, I still hope you enjoy my simply yet sincere design. And remember, a happy life is not about the perfection, it's balance, this is one of my new year resolution for 2015. How about yours?

Other wishes on my list will be:

1. Take more photos, especially portraits. I am too shy to ask someone to pose in front of me but I truly love taking photos for people.
2. Make more cards. I have made cards for my loved ones for years, but I want to make more for different occasions. Even business cards.
3. Be more patient. I thought I am patient because I used to teach kids until I realise I am not patient for waiting good things to happen. I need to be more relax.
4. Balance. My parents told me the the stress only made us a more skilled person, I wish I can joggle between stress and productivity better and not to get too upset.
5. Love my self and don't forget that.

Above are my new year resolution for 2015, what are yours? And I sincerely wish you have a lovely time with your loved ones and I will see you next year!


xxx Aka

Hello August

Hi guys, it's August already(again!). Thought I would upload tons of travel photos of Europe that I took   from my holidays but I guess you always need to save the room for unexpected things.  So a quick review about my July:

Came back from Europe with severe jet lag, well, Australia is winter so from lots sun to a little bit sun was big difference to me. But the memory in Europe is too beautiful to regret. Je ne regrette rien. I regret nothing. Even I got horrible cold and stomach problem for 3 weeks. Still, no regret. Maybe I hate my productivity a little. Hahah

Panicked about lots things to organise. Wedding, future, visa and so on. But I have finally leant to choose my priorities in life. I am always greedy, and expect myself multitasking like so many people who I admire. Sometimes you just need to slap your face, both side and hard and then bloody wake up to the reality. It's actually not as hard as I thought it would be, making priority list helped heaps. So if you are like me, want to finish so many things at the same time but end up only achieve partially on each task, this is my suggestion, make a list and try to stick with it. Once you start to stroke out a couple tasks on the list, you will feel so much better and chasing the rest of tasks without procrastination will not be too hard. 

Had some thoughts about my life, good or bad, it's a certain path to grow up I think. Look at myself in the mirror and tell myself what I really want in life, be strong, be brave and have fun.

Highlight of the month would be my snowboarding weekend away, it included lots of pain and chill air and silver white snow, and I absolutely love it. I remember the first time that Andrew took me to the snow, which wasn't a very good snowy winter in Sydney, the snow was really icy and I had so much tears because I hurt myself a lot. I constantly question myself why I like snowboarding, it's so painful since I am still a beginner and my balance is awful and it took my learning curve not so smoothy. But every fall made me less scared about falling, I stand up and try again till I finally have a click. Every single time I finally achieve a turn or run then I am over the moon. It's that simple, and this trip, I finally can do the zigzaging without freaking out. And I slowly feel better about my fear against height. I am on top of the world:) 

So as usual, I made a desktop calendar to kickstart the new month. Download it by clicking the image and enjoy the new adventure. Live a little, Life is bloody beautiful.

Have a good weekend as well guys!

xxx Aka

{ Freebie } Hello July!!

Hello every one, how's your June so far? If you are like me, live in Australia then I know it's getting really chilly now but I kind of cheat it a little bit this year, I am still in Croatia at the moment. June has been a very interesting month to me due to my travel experience so far. Being in Europe during the winter is more than blessing but I do have some no-so-welcome dramas in the trip as well. Maybe I was too lucky to escape to Europe during the best season, and that was my little punishment for our indulgence. So, as usual I made you a desktop calendar and wish you have a nice kick start. Stay warm my Aussie homies, and if you live in a summerish part of world then lucky you! I am actually going home by 4 flights tomorrow, and that's how I started my July. Wish me good luck too, hopefully, no drama during the trip:-) Will post my vacation photos soon when I get back, so ciao for now!

Stay in Summer forever


xxx Aka

{ Freebie } Hello June!!!

Image designed by me

Hello every one! It's been a very slack month for me in May and I do sense the guilt every single day. Somehow I couldn't have any best May like this year and I wish it won't be the best one!! Maybe that's why I finally remember that today is already June!

Just attended a lovely winer event which held in the Quay and then Vivid festival with family this weekend and what do you think if you also went? I will share the photos very soon so don't forget me!!! As usual, simply press the image and download to save for a desktop image!

Hope you all have a lovely June and week!!!

xxx Aka

{ Greeting } Happy Easter!!

Image collage by me

Happy Easter, guys!!! It's always great to have a super long weekend, isn't it? We just got back from Thailand not so long ago, and we have been to wineries last weekend as well, it's a bit too much to go away again, especially I am going back home for 3 weeks.(guilty!!) So what's your plan, my friend? Are you having something big with your family and friends or just do a small reunion lunch like ours? Are you going to indulge yourselves somewhere tropical and exotic or you rather staying home with movies and popcorn?  No matter what you do, I am sure it's going to be a great one. We work hard, we deserve a little break, don't we?

Say no more, dedicate to you the print that I made for this special occasion. Have fun and enjoy your holiday!


xx Aka

{ Freebie } Hello March!!!

 

Hello guys, it's March already and I felt like Christmas was just like yesterday! Made this desktop calendar for a kick start and I made the date right in the middle of screen to be easily seen. So when you move your mouse and check the files, you can still see the dates without icons blocking your sight.  Just press the image to save the original size:)  

Tomorrow morning I am going to a cycling tour and apparently the weather is not too happy at the moment(yes!!), hopefully I can survive on the road. Fingers crossed.


xxx Aka

{ Freebie } I bloody love Fridays Print!

TGIF!! TGIF!! TGIF!! I just love Fridays so much, it is not like I have a miserable week but I get to have an excuse to do nothing, and of course, I can spend more time with Andrew. Friday always make me feel like something worthwhile is about to begin somewhere, so no matter how tired or irritated I am, I always got this mantra: It's Friday, it's Friday, it Friday...Nothing can beat me today. No one can ruin my Friday. Creepy, I know. hahah.

Anyways,  Maybe some of you do exactly same just like my silly mantra, I still want to share you some thing made from my heart. (or my mantra) I made this print for you who wants to look at something cheering rather than staring at the clock every 5 minutes. Remember, nothing can beat you today and no one can ruin your Friday. TGIF!!!

Hope you have a great Friday and even better weekend!! Oh, also, happy Mardi Gras, Sydney!!!

xx Aka

{ Chit Chat } Tuesday Movie Night

Hi guys, how's your day been? Today I had a really busy but not so productive day due to my poor coding knowledge and a quick way to forget all about it is go to a cinema. Cinemas in Sydney normally offer pretty mad deal on Tuesdays and this great offer definitely help us pass many helpless Tuesdays. I wonder you guys normally go for the Tuesday deal or it's more a romantic event to you? Anyway, today we watched Dallas Buyers Club and it was inspiring with bit more than just bittersweet. It make you laugh and make you think, tick the boxes so go watch it. It's money well spent and I only paid 20bucks for two. What a bargain!! However, I am not sure how many of you have watched it and I despite spoilers so there's no review here. You have to watch it to find out. (wink! ) This is just a quick chit chat.

Lastly, the reason I am still up is I am trying not to overthink the designing process so I kinda force myself to make a piece of something, so here I am, very sleepy but still trying to make something. That's the image above, please be kind.

Hope you all still survive the weekdays with some joys!!

Speak soon,

xxxAka

p.s. I saw the trailer of  the director Wes Anderson's new work" the Grand Budapest Hotel " (click the name to see the intros )and I am far too excited!! I am such a fan of his movies, always fulfilled with rich retro colours, witty conversations and tons of surprises. I can't wait to see it finally shows in the cinema! LOve the poster too!!! (See below)
p.s.2 I made the buttons. Hooray!

{ DIY } Mini Cupid Arrows For Valentine's Ideas

Hello my friend,

How is every one's Australia Day? Summer is definitely the busiest time in Australia, all the big holidays all squeeze in this time frame and we just can't get enough! Coming soon will be the notorious Valentine's Day and summer certainly adds some more heat to it.( The ideas burn out as well and it gets harder every year if you do it yourself...) So after a bit of brainstorming, I went back to simplicity and had this super simple yet lovely idea: mini heart-shaped arrows.  It's soooooo simple and the materials are very easy to find or to be replaced. I actually don't think I really need to post the instruction because you know I just glued paper on the sticks. So what I am going to share is how I modify the materials and uses.


Here is what you need:

*A lover/ a few lovers. (just kidding, you can share your love to anyone.)
*Paper- if you have coloured paper then you don't really need the paints.
*Paints- I use watercolour this time because I like the soft touch it gives.
*Skewer sticks/ tooth picks- I couldn't find any toothpicks so I cut the sticks instead.
*Scissors
*Glue

p.s 1: You can also use washi tape to make it, I think washi tape would probably save more time but my washi tapes are not really fit the Valentine's vibe.

p.s 2: I also used some rose pot pourri to decorate the macarons. You also can use them on everything for this event. They make everything smell great and romantic. I bought these raspberry flavoured macarons and they smell like roses after the photo shoots. Ohh, I really love this kind of surprise.

The other reason I like these mini arrows is they are so versatile. You can play them around on every thing you can think of. I have a few ways to use this cute little arrows:

1. Desert toppers. So go make anything sweet and place them in each piece. Make them heart shapes to step up to another level.
2. Make a card. Who can resist a handmade card says " be my valentine" with little arrows and hearts.
3. Plant decors. It will look great with your pot plants and if your gift is a tiny succulent pot, they will look cute together.
4. Ornaments. You can tie/ stick them to the windows, fridge, branches, backdrops...etc.
5. A cocktail/ mocktail stirrer. I made a jar of sangria and poured them into some chubby glasses. Make some long arrows and stab a couple watermelon pieces then put them into the drinks. What a good party topic as well!!


And most importantly, let's celebrate!!




xxx Aka

{ Booooya!!!!} New Year Resolution

Happy new year my friend!!!
Have you got your new year resolution yet? Here is my new year resolution, simple and essential, nothing fancy. Even most of them on the list is already my year in 2013 but keep them active is another challenge. We are getting old every single day so we should treasure what we still have in our palms and live at present!! Don't be scare what you are afraid of and just do it cause you will never know what's gonna happen next. I sincerely wish  every one I love has a fantastic new year eve and joyful year all around in 2014!!!!

xxx Aka

{ Boooooya!!!} Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas my friend!!!
Made this print yesterday and I am so happy to share with you! Christmas time can be really overwhelmingly busy and its finally at door step, to me that means I can finally have a break and spend time with my family without thinking about work. Wish you a very joyful and warm Christmas and have so much great time with the ones you love.

I have also recycled my sketch into gift tags and it turn out nicely!! The colour pecial drawing madw these tags so vivid, so don't be hesitate to use your drawings because you will never know how it turn out! Mixing some geometric shapes and you are in business. See below for my own version: