1, 2, 3 of ABCs

Who hasn't taken a piece of paper and mindlessly doodled on it? While on hold, while daydreaming, while waiting for something. In high school, I was the girl with the bursting pencil case filled with every kind of gel pen: metallic, neon, chalky pastel. My filofax (LOL) was filled with colorful notes of the day's events. My classmates and friends would ask me to letter the dividers on their own organizers. So when the opportunity presented itself, I was more than happy to be involved in creating the very first local hand lettering book—made by such a young talented Filipina at that.

I remember meeting Abbey Sy at a craft gathering at Hey Kessy. When Koko suggested we make a book about lettering, Abbey was the first person I thought of who could write it. Koko and I were scared she wouldn't say yes, but little did we know, she had already been toying with the idea—even consulting with Mansy of Hey Kessy, who was my co-crafter on the Candy DIY Book. You can read more about Abbey's Road to ABC on her blog.

We met on a holiday—when Pope Francis was in the country—and went home with a complete outline of what the book would be all about. Five months later, here we are. (:

Proofs from The ABCs of Hand Lettering

Just a few of the art Abbey created especially for this book.

Making sure everything is in order! Art direction of the book by Jaykee Evangelista (who I also got to work with on The Friendship Bracelet Book a few years back).

This is personally my favorite page. (:

Putting it all together.

Abbey worked really hard on creating the guide for hand lettering. Whether you're a beginner or already a fan of lettering, you'll learn something new from this book. Hope you can grab a copy (for just P295—what a steal) as soon as you visit the book store nearest you. Then you'll always be creating, too. (:

The ABCs of Hand Lettering by Abbey Sy, P295

Weave Got It Going On

I spent the entire weekend home, catching up on TV shows and practicing my brush lettering (as evidenced by another "new" layout in less than a month, haha). My best friend asked me to come up with a design for her tattoo and I've been having fun drafting different designs in between sleeping and eating all morning. :P



Last week, I made my second woven wall hanging with the help of Weaver Fever-obsessed Mikko. I started out with this and promptly forgot about it because I didn't have a needle to fill up the negative space left after I did a few waves. Used yarn from this Cath Kidston granny square pillow set that I never actually finished making (I made all of one granny square).



Then, Mix introduced us to wool roving—which you can use to fill up the empty spaces in your piece. They kind of look like foam or clouds, right?



I finished this one up with a full fringe and hung it on the Mrs. Graham's Macaron Cafe's hand-painted wall.



Can't decide if it looks like the sky or the ocean. Either way, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out!

If you want to learn how to weave, too, you'll have to wait till the next schedule on I Try DIY. I promise it's not as lola as you think it is. Or it probably is, but who cares? :P

Come By And See Me, I'm A Love Letter Away

It's been more than a week since I turned 31 and I don't think I've really written a thank you anywhere. But there is definitely so much to be grateful for.

   

This year was quieter than usual. There was a mid-day surprise by way of a paper wall of different birthday images (my favorite: grumpy cat with a cupcake) with messages from the Candy team and our Cosmo web neighbors. It seems like such a trivial thing, but anything handwritten—on a Post-It, on a cute Beatles card, on stationery slipped quietly into a present—makes me extra giddy these days. I taped my birthday notes on my bedroom door so I'm reminded every day how blessed I am. So that I remember that I'm surrounded by people who genuinely care for me.

Last night, I nervously went up to the vocalist of possibly my most favorite band in the world and handed him cards with lyrics from two of my favorite mae songs. I didn't tell him how their music became a soundtrack to my life, how I bought my ticket without knowing if I'd have anyone to see the show with, or how I've waited four years to hear him sing their songs live again. He signed the card I kept with "thank you for the love and support" and when I handed him one I wanted him to keep, he said, "You have to write something on it too." And all I had to say was this: "Thank you for coming back."

Let's write letters again. I think it's a beautiful habit to keep.

Where I Wish I Were

Crafted by the sea over the weekend and hand lettered some lyrics to Club 8 (pictured) and The Weepies. Making some birthday plans and I'm super excited for something I'm cooking up with the Candy Girls and Alessa. Yay yay yay!

Note To Self: Don't Cut Hair

A little bit of Ed Sheeran in the morning. (:

Sunday Girl

Music Monday She & Him - "Sunday Girl (Blondie cover)" from Volume 3

Tasty Tuesday

After my friends' book signing, we had ramen. Tried out this new place. I'm really not the best person to ask for ramen recommendations, because they all really just taste the same to me. Haha! Split this set with D-an and was so busog. But there's always room for dessert! Cafe Au Lait mochi on a pretty plate. It was gone in about 10 seconds.

Wishful Wednesday

Checking out new arrivals on the H&M website, hoping I can do a bit of shopping in 2 weeks. Hee. (Also hoping I have enough money, haha!)

Thoughtful Thursday

Fashion Friday

Unearthed a pair of saddle calf leather loafers from my mom's shoe boxes. The sole didn't crumble away when I wore them, yay! Also wore her fancy matchy watch with my dad (which is now in the custody of my brother). When I wear things she used to wear, I somehow feel connected to her. ♥

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic

On Being Original

In a world where there are billions of people churning out great ideas every day, it's very difficult to be original.

I remember as a kid, whenever I saw someone's nice handwriting, my penmanship would somehow morph into something that looked like that style. It wasn't something I did deliberately, I think. Maybe I just really wished my writing looked like that. d:

I'm not the first to do hand lettering or watercolor typography. But I really do love it. In high school, I'd give my friends their names in fancy letters to put in their organizers/planners. I try to make it my own: borrow words from my favorite songs, use my own style in writing (I've finally come to love my own, haha!). In the end, I do it because I enjoy it.

In the industry I'm in, the word "peg" gets thrown around a lot. What is it, really? From how I understand it, it's something you take inspiration from. Kind of like a guide on the direction you want your shoot/article/feature to take. Because who wants to make something exactly like what's already been done before?

What's your take on being one of a kind?

Daydreaming of Someday

Music Monday


Been listening to this all weekend! Heheheyyy. Not exactly the best song lyrics, but it's so catchy and this cover by Vampire Weekend is  awesome!

Tasty Tuesday

Crazy good macarons from Mrs. Graham's Bakery. This one was the inside-out s'mores. Absolutely loved the Brie with Truffle Oil & Honey!

Wishful Wednesday

{ Source: Lonny } 

Thoughtful Thursday

 Follow me on Instagram for more hand lettering attempts, hehe.

Fashion Friday

Matchy sandals with Mikko who's back from her Alaskan escape. Join her Craft Huddle this weekend! Stationery making plus a free craft puncher comes with the workshop fee. Woohoo!

* weekly-themed post adapted from That's Chic