Saturday, July 23, 2011

I sold a doll!!

Hand-sewn miniature mermaid doll

I've made an Etsy sale -- my first since opening shop in May! The lucky doodad is the mini mermaid art doll (only 20 cm long), unnamed, made of Japanese craft felt.

The sparkles on the tail are star-shaped

I was at first thrilled to finally sell something I designed and made (not counting a custom order from an old schoolmate... because I haven't finished it!). And then for the rest of the day, I was terrified that the recipient wouldn't like it.

It's times like these I wish I had Western (or Westernized) parents who would've pumped me full of confidence -- even if it's entirely unwarranted -- rather than beaten me down with a sense of Asian humility. :P

In any case, the package is on its way to the US now, so I'll just have to wait for feedback for the next 4 to 11 business days. Hopefully I'll also get an acceptance/rejection letter for my last short story by then, because I really, really can't help waiting for closure on one project before starting the next.

If I could write a new story and sew a new doll in the upcoming week......

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Little Women

My first encounter with a real wild rabbit

I finished the first "book" of
Little Women last night, having waited years to do so since I found out my childhood copy (a gift from my aunt) was actually an abridged version.

Can't say I really want to keep going, though, despite my hatred of leaving books unfinished -- even when they turn out to be lousy. You might be able to guess why. Here's a hint:

"Jo should have remained a literary spinster, but so many enthusiastic young ladies wrote to me clamorously demanding that she marry Laurie or somebody, that I didn't dare refuse, but out of perversity went and made a funny match for her." (Louisa May Alcott)

...

And so Alcott's decision continues to disappoint and enrage young women everywhere, until the end of human existence.


A. and me on the fort walls at Fort Langley

My youngest cousin A., the littest woman I know (haha), is visiting for the summer. Like her brother who visited last spring, she actually goes to class every day, and is expecting to improve her English. I only show her around Vancouver over the weekend.

Of course, that doesn't mean I can't use her as an excuse for slacking off...

Since my last post, I've only made a wrist cuff for my Etsy shop and two toys for my cat. Here is the cuff:


I really like how it turned out, though! An almost-magical array of glittering bits and pieces and lace and ribbons. The scoop of ice cream (made out of sparkly Japanese clay) is my favourite part, of course, even if Raccoon says it makes no sense.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Ride and Ramen

Getting tanned at Stanley Park

It's been a lovely Canada Day weekend -- unusually warm for Vancouver, but with cool breezes, too. I went biking at Stanley Park with the guys, where B learned to ride and went at his own pace until leg cramps overtook him. R decided to take pictures of iconic Vancouver scenery rather than learn himself. The rest of us pedalled furiously around the park for an hour or two.

We all got ice cream before heading to Motomachi Shokudo for ramen. I guess people are starting to discover that the restaurant is run by the same owners as the famous Kintaro Ramen, because Motomachi was almost as crowded this time. Almost.

I prefer Motomachi for its bamboo charcoal ramen (for the taste, not the supposed health benefits, because I'm pretty sure all burnt food -- even bamboo -- are carcinogenic) and the cleaner interior. Kintaro does offer more choice, though, when it comes to the charsiu pork (from lean to fatty) and soup base (light to heavy).

Bamboo charcoal ramen (with "hot spring egg"!) at Motomachi Shokudo

After dinner, we each went home for a shower and then regrouped for "Dinner for Shmucks". It was surprisingly funny. We were all pleasantly surprised because it just looked so dumb. I want to describe it as "refreshing", but I might just be thinking of the whole watermelon we picked up and turned into delicious slushies.

Of course, what with these outings and several family members' birthdays, I haven't been working on crafts at all. All I have to show for the week is an ice cream bow brooch, and I don't feel like taking pictures for Etsy...

Someone should invent a mini portable photo booth for home (or office) use.