An Abundant Life

A colleague will be leaving us soon to pursue her studies overseas. Even though we've hardly spent time together or had conversations that extended into our personal lives, I've always felt an affinity towards her, especially since we both graduated from the same discipline. There was a sense of understanding, perhaps a connection that could have grown into friendship.

But the days at work are always passing in a whirlwind of activity, movement and often, urgency. Since we never had to work together on any projects, there was no chance to meet over coffee nor little conversational interludes when we might have just talked about ourselves. Perhaps my tendency to compartmentalise work and personal life just so that I could be efficient and objective has cost me precious opportunities to bond or build relationships with others...?

Well at least for C, I will write her some heartfelt well-wishes before she goes on her way: that wherever she goes, she may enjoy a life of abundance, one filled with friendship, laughter, warmth, peace and love.

And that's my hope for all of you as well.

Sheon

In Anticipation of...Father's Day

When I was growing up, my father was a powerful source of motivation and inspiration in my life. He set high expectations but was also encouraging, supportive and brimming with a good sense of humour. Though he passed on when I was in my teens, I remember him no less fondly than the last time he waved goodbye as he headed off for work. Many of his actions and decisions have shaped who I am today and continue to influence what I do.

Today, my husband and father to our three spunky boys works so hard to provide the best for us. When at home, he has to be both disciplinarian and counsellor, a delicate balance to achieve especially when parenting a teenager who's struggling to establish his own identity. For all his efforts and perserverance, I am deeply appreciative.

According to The Science of Fatherhood: Why Dads Matter, fathers are no less (and possibly even more) important than mothers in children's lives. Remember to give your fathers (and husbands) a big hug on 16th June!

Sheon

Happily Ever After

Hello everyone!

Tonight, a dear friend and colleague of mine will be getting married to her College sweetheart.
They make a gorgeous couple - both in their own ways are attractive, talented and warm individuals who are loved by those around them.
At the start of this exciting journey, I wish them every imaginable joy and happiness... but more so, I hope they will create many wonderful memories together. In times of difficulty - when they feel frustrated, overwhelmed or even bored with each other or their family circumstances, they will remember the wonderful feelings that united them in the beginning and draw strength from the experiences they have forged together.

I know I'll be watery-eyed when the bride walks down the aisle tonight...

Sheon

In anticipation of...Mother's Day

Hello!
Managed to get down to some card-making yesterday - here's 2 I did up for Mother's Day. It's just round the corner so time to start making some plans for the special lady in our lives!

Sheon

A Bicycle Built for 2

My youngest has taken to cycling recently, going round and round our estate on his newly acquired yellow bicycle, equipped with training wheels of course.

I, unfortunately, have never learnt to cycle. The rare occasions when a kind friend has volunteered to let me ride tandem on a bicycle buit for two were such wonderful treats! 

So I'm always envious of cyclists who whiz past me during my runs along the beach - how wonderful it must be to feel the wind in one's hair as while pedalling 'great' distances effortlessly (compared to the meagre miles I cover, one gasping step at a time!) ... well... someday, when I overcome my fear of falling...perhaps I too will feel the wind...

I made the pinwheel for this card after consulting Ashley's Blog. Do check it out for lots of wonderful cards and tutorials!

Have a good week!

Sheon

Heart to Heart Part 2

Here's 3 quick mini cards I did yesterday using my favourite heart-pins.
For sending love, friendship or simply to brighten up someone's day.

"The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched, they must be felt with the heart."

~Helen Keller~

Sheon

Motivational Tags

I spent the past week making these - motivational tags for a group of young people who are facing an important challenge in a month's time - their university entrance examinations. 

I was inspired by Sasha's lovely badges - don't you think they're cool? Do check out her quirky blog and etsy shop! She has many lovely designs and they worked perfectly as 'toppings' for my tags! What's more, they can be removed and repinned onto pencil cases, or  even used as collar pins :)  

My stash of cardstock, washi tapes and ribbons came in handy too!

Sheon

Live full the life you have imagined

This week, I had the pleasure of filling a customised card order - a retirement gift.
While retirement may mean the end of a long and fulfilling career, it is also the beginning of a new way of life, and along with this, there are many potentially exciting discoveries waiting to be made.
Many previously postponed trips or activities that were deemed to be too time-consuming can at last be undertaken; one can spend long stretches of time with old friends and loved ones without being bound by the constraints of a workday.

Perhaps in a way the card's sentiment is also a reflection of how our busyness at work (or is it our mindset?) stops us from living the life we envision? When we are busy meeting our responsibilities at work, home or school, how close are we to living the life we aspire for ourselves?
Do we feel constrained by what we spend a big part of our day doing and using the lack of time or energy as excuses, put our hobbies, relationships and passions on the backburner?
Maybe when work winds down, when we save enough money to leave the job or... when we retire? Then there'll be opportunities to do what we've always wanted - pick up that hobby, climb the mountain, travel round the world...

Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project suggests that when a person is truly passionate about his work, he will gladly spend not just his actual working hours, but also his moments of leisure thinking about it or pursuing activities related to it. How many of us truly experience this luxurious state? Instead, do we spend a large part of our lives working at a job that no longer excites us but are too scared to move on because of the financial security it offers?

Some, like this couple, Betsy and Warren, have transformed their lives to pursue their passion of travel while others, like Courtney, is a 'retiree' from the corporate world who advocates living a life of minimalism filled definite purpose.

Whatever your approach (or your job), let us start living the way we imagine today and not wait till tomorrow, next year or till the day of retirement.

Sheon

Crafts to Go

There's nothing like a handmade card to express our well-wishes or appreciation for those who make our daily journeys a little more special or meaningful.
Even when we're a wee bit short of time, there are simple pieces we can make to bring a smile to those who've touched our lives.

Recently my workplace had a little send-off party for 3 young gentlemen who were temping with us for a couple of months. In the midst of a frenetic work week, I dashed off 3 'thank-you' cards in a flash, replicating a simple 'template' so that I could make them quickly, yet using different colours to add that personal touch for each receipient.
Black for mature and cool, Grey for steady and reliable, Bright Yellow for cheery and personable. Simple but straight from the heart.

Want to try your hand at some cards too? I've put together some DIY packs of birthday cards and all occasion cards for you to start off. Where to find them?

Guess what? 

My talented crochet buddy Serena and I will be hanging out at the Twelfth Flea on Sunday, 17th June from 12 - 6pm at Rochester Mall. 

Do come on down and say hi to us!

There'll be delicately crocheted accessories, altered photo frames, altered notebooks and of course, my ready-made cards and DIY card packs!

AND... other pretty things we might dream up in the next couple of weeks... hope to see you there!

Sheon

When I was your age...

Hi everyone! How have you been?  It's been a hectic week around here but I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my dear ones soon.


Here's a quick post of a card I customised - for a young lady who turns 24 next week. I was told that her favourite colour is brown... hmmm... a rather unconventional choice wouldn't you say? 
I'm guessing You must be a  steady, grounded individual with a strong sense of who You want to be. And what a wonderful age to be all that and more - the world is at your feet! 

Happy Birthday!

Just for fun, here's a look at what some people did when they were 24...

• Nelly Bly made a solo trip around the world in less than 80 days for the New York World, beating Phileas Fogg's fictional record.
• Radioastronomy grad student Jocelyn Bell Burnell observed an unknown signal from outer space; this resulted in the discovery of pulsars.
• John Couch Adams became the first person to predict the position of a planetary mass beyond Uranus.
• Johannes Kepler defended the Copernican theory and described the structure of the solar system.
• Entrepreneur Ted Turner took over his father's billboard advertising business. He later launched CNN.
• Tracy Chapman released her first album, winning three Grammies.
• Scottish physician Mungo Park became the first European to reach the West African interior.
• Edgar Allen Poe won a $50 prize for the story "MS. Found in a Bottle." 

Whether we're older or younger than 24, let's make our days count!

Sheon

Birthday Wishes

I turn a year older in a week's time! 

When I was younger, this was much cause for celebration. I remember a friend who would anticipate and plan her birthday with an almost vengence-like glee every year, announcing to all that her 'celebrations' or 'festivities' were a series of many dinners, parties, get-togethers with different groups of friends, lasting for as long as two weeks. 

And children (mine certainly) so often look forward to their birthdays simply because it's the perfect opportunity for them to lay claim to presents or privileges that their parents may otherwise consider too extravagant or indulgent.

For someone whose family circumstances meant that birthdays throughout childhood and teenage years largely passed unnoticed like any other day, I am now simply grateful for that obligatory song and cake routine, the chance to 'make a wish' and blow out the candles. And that birthday wish? For many more years of laughing, loving, learning and living to come, surrounded by all my wonderful family and friends.

'Twenty years from now 

you'll be more disappointed by the things you didn't do 

than by the ones you do. 

So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. 

Catch the tradewinds in your sails. 

Explore. Dream. Discover.'

                                                                                                        - Mark Twain -

Sheon

Deck the Halls...

Yes...it's that time of the year again...school's out, familiar tunes in the air AND... sparkly trimmings & ornaments everywhere! So many pretty things, only ONE tree.
What's a girl to do?
Put them on cards of course :)

This 'Merry Christmas' Card was featured in Made With Love's Layout of the Week:  http://www.madewithlove.com.sg/blog/

No cloned packs of 10 for me when it comes to sending love to the special people in my life.
What about you :)?

Sheon