NY is really getting cold. I'm waiting for the snow! What is more fitting than a 3.5" felted snowman? Not much needle felting this time, i experimented with wet felting. I didn't actually follow any 'rules' i was more focused how i wanted it to look in the end, than that i was thinking about how to get there. Even with that in mind, i do think Mr. Snowman turned out pretty cute.
How lucky am I? Yes, i know. Finding this in the mail? Remember showing the treasures i got from the mushroom paradise blind box? I won a giveaway from Holly over at Berrysprite, whoohoo! A new re-ment box! How cute is this Mushroom Lunch Menu set? I'm happy!
How adorable are these felted teacup cozies? I would love to drink my tea in the morning with a soft happy face keeping my cup warm. (from one of my Japanese craft books)
No, i'm not talking about myself. I am talking about the title of a very inspiring photobook. Not new, it's published back in 2003. I remember walking through Amsterdam with a friend when i was telling her how i would love to make a cute book filled with photos of propped stuffed animals and sweet text to accompany the photos. She told me she had seen this book filled with photos of little Easter chicks. I should check it out she told me. Years later i walk into one of my favorite NY thriftstores, browsing the bookcase and what do i see? Bitter with Baggage seeks same - The life and times of some chickens. By Sloane Tanen. Samantha looked around the playground in amazement. Her mother had been right. She really was the smartest and the prettiest. Caroline's eggs hadn't even hatched and already Victor's eyes were wandering.
Remember my love for miniatures? I picked up two new re-ment boxes the other day! I couldn't resist the Merry Strawberry line. My blindbox contained the Strawberry Kitchen. Can i have a real life size teapot like that please? I have a feeling i will have to go back and get another box. How cute is that strawberry TV? You can even 'flip' through channels! And that berry dresser? Too adorable! This set comes from a series i don't know the name of, i can't find it on the re-ment site, maybe it's an old series. Nevermind, it is very cute. The flowers are pretty and did you see what is on the stool? A Russian doll image and it says "Happy Chair". Don't we all want a happy chair?
My Love visited friends and family in Europe during the summer and of course he was so sweet to buy me some gifts. Unfortunately he forgot to bring them all when he came home! But receiving belated holiday gifts send over in the mail is a lot of fun, so no hard feelings. He knows me so well. He picked up these pretty nesting dolls. And remember i wrote about my love for capsule toys? Looks at this! Blind capsule egg from The Littlest Pet Shop! I never saw these before. I was excited already before i even opened it. My excitement was even bigger when i found this little squirrel tin inside! Oh, wait, there's something inside it! Ooooh. A tiny tiny squirrel hanger (how do you call these phone embellishment thingies?)
Love and I bought ourselves a great video camera, which he took with him on his trip and he made lots of wonderful footage. We picked one of his instrumental tracks and i edited some of the Amsterdam footage over it. Take a look at my video editing skills! hihi ;) If you like the music you hear, Love has a myspace with some of his music.
I don't know when it started, but as long as i remember i have loved miniature toys. Cute miniatures especially. I am a long time collector of those capsule toys you get out of .25 or .50 cents vending machines at the grocery store or laundromat. That moment of excitement that you don't know what you'll get when turning the knob and your capsule falls down in the slot for you to discover! An amazing variation on this feeling are the the Ferrero Kinder Surprise eggs. Doesn't matter i'm not a child anymore, i still love them eggs! And in combination with chocolate? What an invention! You can imagine my deep joy the first time i saw a Re-Ment Blind Box. There is no chocolate, but the surprise miniature toys are fabulous! This is my latest re-ment treat. Oh how cute are these mushroom paradise items! I ♥ so so much. It didn't matter which one i would get, but i did kinda crossed my fingers for that Mushroom shelf and clock. Unveiling of my blind box contents. The Mushroom Kitchen! They are brilliant. I would even love to have these in real life size and use them to prepare my daily meals!
Looking at cute things makes you happy! Gazing at a cute image triggers the release of the hormone Oxytocin, which counters stress hormones and makes you feel - and give - more love. No kidding, it's true.
Hope this photo gives you a release of Oxytocin, it's a supersweet gift from my friend Tess. She got it for me when i was in London. I so LOVE it! I always wanted a Sunshine Buddy! Sunshine Buddies work on solar power and nod their heads while keeping you company. This little monkey sits on my desk next to my computer and always makes me smile! (Oxytocin?)
I found the Rainbow Brite children's book at a local Goodwill thrift shop. It's filled with adorable drawings. And a small appearance by Lucky Sprite, my green childhood friend. Even though his nose looks like he has a bad cold, i still love him as much as i did when i was a little girl.
I love thriftshops! Found lots of new additions to my record collection. Cute vintage children's records. I love the illustrations on the covers! This one is Party Songs for Happy Little Folks. This is a record with stories and songs telling the Mary Poppins story. Bonus score: it also has a great illustrated book inside the cover! Even though the cover is damaged, i think this one is my new favorite. The further adventures of Mary and her little Lamb. This one is adorable too. Sweet retro songs from Sesamestreet. And since the record inside was broken i got it for free! You can still play the record, just not the first songs on either side. (try that with a broken cd!)
Bought during my trip to Amsterdam. Cute tiny stamps with 3 stamppads all with four colors of ink!
(Hemais the name of the store. Sort of department store, large but not huge, fast changing inventory, great home decor items with lovely colors and designs and wonderful office/school supplies. I wish NY had a Hema!)
Not sure if Playmates is a proper name for a kids coloring book. Makes me think about the girls next door and Hugh Hefner.. I picked this up at my last thrift run. It was only 25 cents and i love the cover. Hoped the inside would be filled with cute coloring pages, but not this time. The drawings were definitely done by a different illustrator then the one who made the cover. Thinking about framing it.
My Melody in the size i think she would be in real life. (15 inch top to bottom) I was so lucky to find this huge sticker in the 99ct store around the corner. It's a bootleg, but a very good one. They only had one, otherwise i would have bought some more and gave them away here, i know there are more out there loving My Melody. From all Sanrio characters i think Melody is my favorite. And i really love Little Twin Stars too. I'm old school like that. The My Melody sticker will go on the fridge. But not stickered on there. I'm not sure it is repositionable. So i will use some poster tack gummy stuff.
On another note, sorry for my lack in posting. I have a lot to show and tell (as usual) and i have prepared some pictures and posts, so i promise more posts this week.
Who doesn't like surprises in the mail? I know i do!
And i'm feeling very spoiled. Should have posted this earlier since it arrived in my mailbox a while ago already. Dear Roxanne has sent me all these goodies for our cute and crafty swap. How sweet is the poptart cozy she made for my pink ipod? She surprised me with cute Hello Kitty goodies and pink poodle erasers, pretty postal stamps, vintage handkerchiefs and a gorgeous clutch which she embellished with a little bit of sparkle on top! And then the other day my mailbox was happily filled with a little package from my friend Tess from London. Oh, how i love tiny things! Look at these. Small Pucca's, Hello Kitties and My Melodies! They all have a little hanging loop on top so i can make something with them. Ohoh what to do with them? I adore them. The pucca figurines have a little edge so they can sit on the edge of something. Too cute! And she also added this Hello Kitty lollipop/popping candy too. I normally never open cute candies, just keep them and admire their cuteness. But in this case i'm tempted. Because A) i love popping candy + lollipops and B) it looks like there might be stickers inside. Of course i'm curious and want to look at those. If there are any. Well, it says '48 stickers to collect' on the package...
My new felted tiny friend. "Body" part is 1,5 inch (3 cm) high.
This time i tried to use a little bit of embroidery to decorate the face and the leaf. Wasn't sure how or if it would work, but you know how i do, just try and see how it turns out. I think it worked.
Looking forward to making more felted creations. It is a very good craft for me to do at the end of a long day's work when you finally want to give yourself some time off but still cannot sit down and do absolutely nothing.
I didn't have a clock in my workspace yet. Yes, i wear a watch and my cellphone shows the time, but for only one dollar i needed this clock. I assume you understand.
I love the Queens thriftshops. Haven't found a lot yet, but there are a couple of good ones around. And unlike the ones in Manhattan, in Queens you can still find some thriftshop prizes.
If you're anything like me, you want to see a closeup picture of the cuteness going on inside the clock.
Yes, got to loose a few pounds. Moving to a new country obviously (!) means having to try out all the new unknown candies and cakes and other sweet treats. Mmmm my belly likes! But i'm not too worried about my weight. There are more important things in life.
Things like, don't take on too much at once. Finish projects sooner. Daily Blogging. Stay on top of my administration. Get better at everything i do.
So i'm starting all this today. But first i need to clean. I don't know what happens to me on January first, but i always have to clean and organize.
HAPPY 2008 EVERYBODY! All the best for the new year!
It says: Happy pinbear lovely cute style Pin Bear is made from brown solid fabric
I am somewhat of a Kawaii freak. I know a lot of cute Asian brands making cute things. But i had never heard of the "Yellow Bus" brand. It's a Korean brand and i will definitely be on the lookout if i ever find anything else by them.
Not sure if Playmates is a proper name for a kids coloring book. Makes me think about the girls next door and Hugh Hefner..
Who doesn't like surprises in the mail? I know i do! 
She surprised me with cute Hello Kitty goodies and pink poodle erasers, pretty postal stamps, vintage handkerchiefs and a gorgeous clutch which she embellished with a little bit of sparkle on top!
And then the other day my mailbox was happily filled with a little package from my friend 
Small Pucca's, Hello Kitties and My Melodies! They all have a little hanging loop on top so i can make something with them. Ohoh what to do with them? I adore them. The pucca figurines have a little edge so they can sit on the edge of something. Too cute!
And she also added this Hello Kitty lollipop/popping candy too. I normally never open cute candies, just keep them and admire their cuteness. But in this case i'm tempted. Because A) i love popping candy + lollipops and B) it looks like there might be stickers inside. Of course i'm curious and want to look at those. If there are any.
My new felted tiny friend.
I didn't have a clock in my workspace yet. 
If you're anything like me, you want to see a closeup picture of the cuteness going on inside the clock. 
Yes, got to loose a few pounds. Moving to a new country obviously (!) means having to try out all the new unknown candies and cakes and other sweet treats. Mmmm my belly likes! 
It says:
This is my cute 'Happy Girls' album. It's basically a photo album, but i use it to store pretty illustrated flyers and promo postcards. 
Are you an illustrator or do you have a crafty shop? Most important, do you have pretty flyers or promo postcards?
something cute
