A new reperci for scaphetti

When i was little, i could never say the word recipe, it always turned out as reperci. Now my son's mix-up word is spaghetti wherein it becomes scaphetti. Isn't it funny how kids twist words, it makes the mundane things so much more fun...
Anyway let get back to crafting...I think it's high time to put more fabric items in my store and as the season changes, knits and things are going to come back into play....hasn't this year just whipped on? It's already July this week! Soon it'll be time for classes again with HR Block...so much to do.
Found some adorable crochet patterns and knitting patterns as well as sewing patterns..now all i need is to find the time

She was genuinely disappointed

Wow, had a big learning experience yesterday when someone told me she was so disappointed with her business card order. She made some valid points that i had not thought of before but i just wondered if she realized and took into account that she wanted something handmade. Of course i'm going to give her a full refund though it's really hard to shake this feeling of being appalled by her reaction. I do want to take it as a challenge though to improve and have taken the business card listings off my store for now. I understand better now that business cards if they are a reflection of the business and are seen in that light by my buyers then i really really have to step it up so this doesn't happen again. How else to get unfadable photo-quality cards without a 2 ply approach? hmmmm....think think think

Arte Y Pico award - Premio Arte Y Pico

Thanks to Priscilla of bijouxdellostregatto for giving me this Arte Y Pico award! It has such an interesting Italian origin!
The rules of this award are:
1) You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award, creativity, design, interesting material, and also contrubuites to the blogger community, no matter of language.

2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.

3) Each award-winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y pico"blog , so all will know the origin of the award.
5) Show these rules.
Here are my 5 picks from Singapore to Sydney:

JulieTeo
Suncatcher
WhitePawCrafts
SimpleArtsPlanet
Katalatabata

Who founded Facebook? Trivia question 3 answer & winner

Who founded Facebook a social networking website launched on February 4, 2004 ?

Answer: Mark Zuckerberg (here he is!)

Like all things with drama, Aaron Greenspan, a Harvard classmate claims that he created the original college social networking system, before either Facebook or ConnectU were founded.

Mr. Greenspan is said to have established a web service that he called houseSYSTEM in 2003, 6 months prior to Facebook launching. houseSYSTEM was used by several thousand Harvard students and provided similar features to what is found today in Facebook; Zuckerberg was a user of houseSYSTEM. Greenspan is also claiming credit for Facebook’s name: he showed the Times an email dated Sept. 19, 2003 describing the newest feature of houseSYSTEM as “the Face Book.” Facebook initially launched under the name and URL of “TheFacebook” in 2004.

Unlike the founders of ConnectU who are suing Zuckerberg (of course, this is the states) for control of Facebook, Greenspan’s claim so far only extends to wanting recognition by others as being the founder of Facebook.

So anyway, the winner is from my Fabulous Artistic Mom team (FAM), Cindy Joy.
She will be featured here on this blog beginning 7/18
kristen from 6/27
craftgirlalli from 7/4
And my simple life 7/11
Don't forget to check out my new question in Gentlemen Start your search Engines!!!

Above Suspicion

Came across this movie today and was surprised by all the ironies of it. This was Christopher Reeve's last film prior to his accident in 1995. In the film he plays a decorated police officer who becomes paralyzed and also finds out about his wife's unfaithfulness with his brother. Just days after it aired, he was paralyzed in real life, more severely than portrayed in the movie. His wife, Dana, also had a small part in the movie. Prior to the accident, he did comment in this regard about the movie he had visited a spinal cord trauma unit in Van Nuys, California, to prepare for this role. He said these prophetic and widely quoted words: "A couple of days spent out at the spinal cord trauma unit and you see how easily it can happen. You think, 'God, it could happen to anybody.'"
After the accident, in 1998, Reeve said that he does not watch Above Suspicion when it is shown, but not for the reason we might expect. "...every time I left that rehab center, I would say, "Thank God that's not me." I was very smug about it and relieved to leave the hospital, and I regret that so much because I was setting myself apart from those people who were suffering without realizing that in a second that could be me.... I'm ashamed about my smugness, my complacency, you know, and it brings back a bad memory, so I don't watch that one."
On the top is a picture from the movie after he is paralyzed, on the bottom is a picture of him in real life after he is paralyzed. I believe to our generation he will always be Superman and though i liked the movie only somewhat and personally think it drags out quite abit, i still find myself rooting for him all the way to the end

Bath Bombs

First saw the un-melting scoops of ice cream looking treats in a downtown store. I was fascinated from the start and am thrilled to fast forward to the day where i found out how to create them. To make a long story short, a lot of quick mixing is required and added to that i've found the amazing properties of Mica Clay to cure these bombs. These are in the grapefruit scent and are available for purchase at my etsy store.
When i used my first store bought one, the owner gave me a tip and that was to take a hammer to these bath bombs to break them down if i was afraid that the bath would prove too strong, that's since been the best way i've found to be able to control how much of the bomb is used without wasting it as once it touches water, there is no going back.

Paid to Picnic !

Had a great time at our company picnic last Thursday. Took some shots and was pleasantly surprised with how they turned out. Nothing like hotdogs, burgers, salad and iced soda, while not having to work on a workday. Paid to picnic...an awesome concept don't cha think? One of my first friends at the job. Her last name is the coolest Nacagilevu...i don't even dare say it really as i can't get it out properly. From Fiji...i just have to take a trip there some day. Can't believe it's been 5 years. So much has happened since then. Am really thankful for a steady job and a good supervisor

Trivia #2 Winner and Answer

Trivia question was...Y.E.S. 93.3FM is a radio station in which country?
The answer is Singapore! Congratulations to "and my simple life" for being the first to answering it correctly. She will be featured on my blog beginning 7/11 (kristien will be featured from 6/27
craftgirlalli will be featured from 7/4). Don't forget to check out my new question in Gentlemen Start your search Engines!!!

Y.E.S. 93.3FM is a radio station of MediaCorp Radio in Singapore. Its target audience are people from 15 to 35 years of age. The station specializes in Chinese popular music, featuring artistes from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore. 93.3FM is one of a select few radio stations in Singapore which boast a 24-hour non-stop broadcast with the above 9 DJs. Want to learn more? visit http://yes933.sg/portal/site/yes933

Little Hood: The first baby i showered

Meet REG! Those are this adorable little one's initials. It is too cool that we share the same first name and that i was given the honor of throwing my first baby shower for her mommy. It's a big deal as we do not have any kind of showers of the sort where i grew up in Singapore. Neither do they in China where REG's mom grew up as well. Both of us have officially assimilated the American culture. I often ask Brian, "Isn't it awkard to open a gift in front of the gift-giver?" in my culture it is also considered impolite. Now i recognize it as a self-preserving measure as i remember feeling so self-conscious and worried if i was "gushing" enough to show my appreciation for everyone's thoughtful gifts. I mean seriously how to you react to a situation like that when everyone is so nice but what if you really don't like a gift...you lie? Shocking! But in truth, it was very surprising and overwhelming to see how much your friends and co-workers can band together and give you so much in the most unexpected situations. All in all, it's very exciting to do shower the Americana way.

Sore Throat

Ok, so maybe my Moji is going to have it right today as i do feel gloomy. Things at work are changing, things at church are changing and yeah, they say "Change is good". Well i say good change is good. Think it's also largely in part due to the fact that i'm suffering from a sore throat post weekend in Ventura. My niece-in-law graduated from high school and we were all there to support her. Had never been to a high school graduation before as they don't have these things in Singapore.

Have to say from a design aspect, their choice of colors was very pretty, mint blue and black.

Fun fact: Found out that Hollywood star Kevin Costner attended Buena High School in Ventura.

Think my hubby will get a kick out of that. It was fun to walk the halls with him as he graduated from the same school as we went there for the graduation. We all couldn't believe it has been 14 years since his graduation. It didn't take as long as we feared for 535 students to get to their diplomas...The largest class ever to graduate from Buena High School stretched almost 30 yards down the football field, where they sat for commencement Thursday evening. Congratulations!

My moji has got it all wrong

I'm happy! really i am! My little pet that you see there all the way on the left has yet to get it right. I'm still figuring out what he's tracking on this blog that directs him to think otherwise. Wrote an article for the EtsyMom team and it was published on our e-newsletter. Ok not a big deal to you but i'm excited!
Today i also found a fabulous Etsy Painter who also happens to be a Mom. RebeccaGrantham
Her work brings out the "Ethereal" feel that i had when i thought up the name "EtherealRhapsody". Find out more about her work through MadebyMoms Boutique

Fo-Fo the Beta

Took Fo-Fo to work today so that my co-worker could feed him for me... Put his tank in a box in my car, it slooshed 4 miles to work as of course it was an afterthought. I mean the pet fish does come last in the totem pole in the family. I did unfortunately inadvertently cause the death of Nathaniel's first fish and pet beta "Fishie", a dark blue beta. FoFo aka "Teti" as Nathaniel can't make up his mind which to call the deep red beta will hopefully never find the cover to his tank left off and be with us for a much longer stint.

My First Jar of Pickles

My first little jar of pickles i harvested from my first cucumber plant! Yippee! Today was a great day. I slept in, Brian made breakfast complete with my favorite sausage. We found a small but dream pub table at Cost Plus World Market...who'd have thought?! I had curry and prata for the first time in 2 years! It was all good.

Everything goes in the mouth!

Was just watching Ellie again today and noticed how much she has grown just in the past few weeks. She is 7 and 1/2 months now and everything and anything goes into her mouth. My sunglasses she will grab right off my face, even if i try to drink a glass of water when i'm holding her, she does her utmost best to re-direct its path to her mouth. It all turns gooey from there...she's got two teeth at the bottom and she making the best use of them ever! She's also transitioned from smiling at every stranger to now solemnly studying their faces even though they try their hardest to coo a smile from her. It's such a wonderful thing to see her little character develop.

Trivia Question 1: Answers and Winners

Question was who starred as the tempermental diva named Carlotta in the movie The Phantom of the Opera (2004) and for 6 folks to each name one of the songs from her 2007 album "Seastories" Congratulations and thanks to HauteMommy, abby and kristien for participating and winning. Special thanks to DanaeWinters for her participation on my blog
HauteMommy will be featured from 6/6
abby will be featured from 6/13
DanaeWinters will be featured from 6/20
kristien will be featured from 6/27
craftgirlalli will be featured from 7/4

Can you name my flowers?

My house came with some very nice flowers. They are spread all around my small yards front and back. I think i can name most of them but needed help with the others. Anyone know their scientific names and special tips on how to cut them? I can post more pictures of each kind if you think you might know but need more pictures to verify.

1st row: ? and Gardenia and Calla-Lily (thanks danaewinters)

2nd row: Agapanthus (thanks Rebecca) and I have no idea

3rd row: Don't know but these are sentimental special the one on Right is Geranium

4th row: Hydrangea and rose

5th row: Penstemon (thanks danaewinters) and don't know

Most of my friends do not know that i have a diploma in flower arrangment but i feel like that has just introduced me to the world of botany and i've realised there is so much to learn about each flower.

Some of my latest experiments have included trying to turn my hydrangeas a deep blue or purple. How am i doing in that so far? They are turning a brillant pink so them must be some glitch in my pH theory, more acidic means more blue flowers? perhaps i'm working towards the wrong end of the scale.

The flowers in the 3rd row were given to us by my in-laws and since my father-in-law has passed away, that plant is even more precious to us. It grows easily into a shrub or a hedge-like bush almost. We keep it in a pot and have had it since 2005.

More on my plants very soon...

2 hr Countdown

Such a sweet old lady from Scotland, i really wanted to help her out, she was so interested in my nursing cover for her daughter in law after seeing mine and was leaving the US this Thursday, I had all the materials (of course) in my stash to make it so i had to. Trouble is i've only made this once before and i did not have a pattern, only my own nursing cover. Mad scramble, some unpicking had to be done, poor little E had to cry alittle to make it all work as i only had from 7am to 9am to make this and get myself ready to leave the house.
Two hours later, we had to leave for Sunday School and thankfully this was completed. I even had the presence of mind to snap a picture for future reference. "Not pressed is homemade" my sewing teacher had always disapprovingly ingrained into our minds...oh well, she'll definitely know it's homemade now. It's always nice to try to get away with the fact that something looks professionally made that someone doesn't go "did you make that?"
When i gave it to her though, she was so surprised and pleased, wanted to pay for it, imagine that. Now my husband is urging to add it to my Etsy Store...hmmmm?