This weekend

Saturday: get up at 10 and go out with my friend for her wedding gown hunting trip.
We meet at Oakridge and take the Canada Line to Bisou Bridal on Cambie and W 2nd Ave. I can still remember I found my dream gown there (they used to be around Granville Island area) but because of the price I didn't buy it. I still miss my dream gown and not that I really regret, but I do miss it. They carry more designer gown and really, more unique gown. I am quite my friend would love it. And yes, she also fell in love with the $7000 gown but with 75% off from the sample sale. A very good deal; however, we are both a bit skeptical that the gown can be altered from size 10 to 4 (my friend is slim). I don't think she will order at the end but hope she enjoys the experience.

We had quick lunch in the Beef Noodle place and then head back home for a short while, before going to Richmond to take a look at the open house. That town house is like a duplex and has a great layout. The only thing I don't really "LIKE" is that it's really pointy design (looks like a church to me) and its dark green exterior. Also the house number is "4" (which is the same sound as the word "dead" in Chinese pronunciation). Not that I'm super superstitious, but...yeah...it's just...I'd rather not. Well in the end it's all her decision. Also, according to my friend, this property is very good price, so I don't really think she's going to compete with other for it.

After that, we head to New West for another bridal gown appointment. This is the place where I bought my wedding gown. Lots of gown in the store but I was a bit surprise that they don't have that many dress with empire waist or puffy pickups. There are lots of mermaid style which I don't think will fit Asian well. Asian in general is smaller frame (and not as tall too) so may not look as good in mermaid style.

Finally, head back to Richmond to look for pre wedding photography. The store lady still remembered me, after 3 years! But I guess my friend is more interested in the package of the other store, oh well.

We had dinner in the Japanese cafe in Aberdeen center. After that, we went to the store grand opening party on Main St. I first bought this designer's clothing last year in the One of a kind Craft show. Her design is really unique and I'm glad to see she has her own store now. I was interested in a blazer but they don't have it in my size...

Sunday: Went to the Eat Vancouver show in the new Convention Center. I got the free ticket from the contest so I only pay for the food. Well, this is the firs time to go inside the new convention center but I'm truly disappointed. The exhibition hall is way smaller than the old convention center. The parkade is only 1 level (the old Canada Place has 3 levels). We spent almost 20 minutes in looking for parking. Once we got there, it's so crowded inside! The path is so narrow that I can barely get into the food booth. We spent 2 hours there, and $20 for food. Bought some salmon candy and not much. After that, since there is some time left, I still decide to go to the Epic show next door. Very nice beer sample, and I enjoy the fashion show. And since the show is closing, some vendor is giving out their stuff. I got a free bag of coffee bean! And some people in front of me got whole pineapple!

After that, we went visit my FIL. He wasn't feeling too well. And I told him that I'm going to make some fish soup for him. Then we went to shop for some grocery and went home to make soup. Because of that, we missed the 7:30pm movie. My hubby wanted to watch the Iron Man a few weeks already but we were either busy or try to avoid the crowd in the first week. At the end, we decided to watch the 10:15pm show @ Metropolis. Got home around 12:50am....

Peacock birthday card

When I first saw this HA peacock stamp, I love it. It goes to my shopping list right away.

Due to my sickness, I wasn't very active in making cards these days. But when I saw Vanessa's gorgeous creation, I knew I have to go back to the craft table.

This is my take:


In my mind, peacock is always blue/green! So I took out my broken china and peel paint distress ink right away. I was hoping I have a wide brown ribbon but despite my effort, I can't find a decent matching ribbon. So at the end I use hemp cord instead.

I use various type of distress ink:
peel paint, broken china, tea dye, antique linen for the peacock; tattered rose and spiced marmalade for the flower; shabby shutter and bundled sage for the leaves. Then I distress the edges with walnut stain.

For the larger background, I stamp Old Letter Writing with tattered rose, distress the edge with walnut stain and tea dye. Attached to dark brown card stock and tie up with a hemp cord. Finish off with Basics rhinestones. Sentiment is also HA from the CL139 Birthday Message set.

Card size is 5x7.

Baby cards

It's about time. Couple years ago I attend quite a few weddings per year. So it's about time to see more "babies" on board.

I really fell in love this card from Lucy. This is the reason I bought the HA swirly frame and baby set.
So at the end, I come up with this:

Material:
HA Stamps:
S5179 - Swirly Frame
CL265 - Adorable Baby Girl
It also took me a while to find the ink she used: Versamagic Dew Drop Pixie Dust ink
I thought I have similar pink ribbon but I can't find it! So I just pick another one.
Cuttlebug folder: Perfectly Parsley
Silver wire (got from office...shhhhh), and white/pink beads.

Another card that makes use of the swirly frame.
This is also based on Lucy's design.

Isn't this baby stamp cute? My hubby actually pick that one from the craft shop.

Materials:
Stamp:
HA Swirly Frame: S5179
The Cats Pajamas E4159 Sweet Peas
Impression Obsessions C6118 Little One
Paper: DCWD: The Sweets with Glitter package; Provo Craft & Novelty Inc: 42-4435 Pink & orange flowers
Ink: (frame) Crafters Orchid pigment ink, emboss with perfect pearl and clear embossing powder
Sentiment: Memories Black
Others: Ribbon, colour image with copic marker, rangers diamond stickles on the pea

Another Blog Candy

I'm going to try my luck. Who doesn't love chances to win?

This blog candy is offered by Vanessa. Look at her flickr photo gallery, just full of gorgeous cards. A truly talented card maker!

Let's keep my finger crossed.... :)

Victoria Day Long Weekend

Friday: Friend's house for dinner.

Saturday: Want to check out the sample sales of John Fluevog Shoes. Ever since I bought two pairs from the gas town store, this brand remains my favourite shoe brand. It's so comfry, yet stylish and unique! I never thought I'm spending almost $300 a pair but it's so worth it. I get lots of compliment when I wear it. End up I didn't buy any sales item though. There are not much selection left. Instead, I finally bought the one I already fell in love with it previously but I just don't want to buy 3 pairs one time (that would be almost $1000).
I got this and this last time.
And this is my new addition. After that, I got my hubby a t-shirt from Mexx. Then we head out for early dinner @ a Japanese noodle place besides Joe Forte. We are lucky that we got a parking spot there. I was a bit surprised that there are not many people in downtown. It's supposed to be a "long weekend" Saturday but there are not many people on the street.
After dinner, we hang out in Chapters @ south Granville for a bit and go home early. We'd love to get enough rest for the trip tomorrow.

Sunday: going to Leavenworth with my friends. I thought I cough much less now that I'm ok to go for a short road trip. I guess I'm not totally healed yet. I am heading back to the doctor on Tuesday. :(

Leavenworth Visit

Monday: had a pedicure/manicure appointment at noon. First time to try out a spa where I am hearing positive feedback. Not bad but it's a bit far. After that head back to Richmond for grocery shopping and dinner. Need to be @ home by 8pm for the season finale of 24. I rarely watched English TV series but I'm a big fan of 24.

苦澀中的甜

我還記得，小時候每當我有些小病痛，媽媽都會帶我到附近的中藥店去喝一碗苦茶。不要以為要一個小孩子喝苦茶是一件苦差，因為，我總是乖乖的一口氣把它喝完，我老是覺得，那些店員伯伯的嘉許，都可抵過那些藥茶的苦。如果我在家喝苦茶，我總會鬧別彆。因為在家就算我乖乖的把苦茶喝完我也不會得到別人的嘉許。原來，我從小已是十分渴望和嚮往別人的認同。現在想起來，其實很傻。

苦茶雖苦，但想到媽媽拖着我的小手帶我到中藥店的往事，以及對我的關懷，回憶都是甜蜜的。

So bitter

While traditional medication doesn't seem to do the job, it's just natural to seek on alternatives. I haven't been to Chinese doctor before, this is actually the first time, although I did drink some herbal tea while I was a kid. The smell, the bitterness of the herbal tea, all brought back my childhood memories.

In the old days, there are a few Chinese herbal shops within my vicinity. And quite often, my Mom will bring me there when I have minor sickness, instead of going to the doctor. The medication (i.e. the herbal tea), is just as bitter as you can think. And often I got compliment there since I got no trouble to drink those bitter herbal tea. And of course I got my reward after the drink: 山榨餅. And other kids? You can imagine it could be SO DIFFICULT to ask a kid to drink something with such BITTERLY awful taste. But who knows that, deep down I made no trouble to drink the tea just to enjoy the compliments from others? When I got to drink the herbal tea at home I am never as well behaved as I used to be in the shop. Just because I'm going to drink the herbal tea without compliment of being a good girl...

Btw, how come I can't sleep on weekend but I am always lack of sleep on weekdays?
Like today, I woke up at 6am on my own without a slight chance of falling back asleep... :(

It's all about cards

All about my recent production.

1. Magnolia.
This is too cute. And this card is my recent favourite.

Material:
Magnolia Tilda
HA Sentiment
Gem stones
K&Company Ribbon(Stitched Felt Ribbon 568808)
Colour with Copic markers
Glossy accent on the lollipop

2. Magnolia again.
This is actually my first design prior to the last one. But for some reason I had hard time to make this "work".


3. Wedding card
Inspired by Suzanne’s card here.

Materials:
HA Starburst Lace S5317
HA Sentiment CL272
Memory Box: Nesting Birds (put flock powder in the middle)
Flower soft (baby pink and bright pink) on the branches
HA pearl heart and other gem stone
The actual card size is a bit small though. (A1)

4. Another wedding card.
This is actually for my friend's order.

Material:
HA CardArt Love Birds KF888
Gem stones
Cuttle bug folder: Textile
Ribbon

5. Birthday card
Inspired from this so I'm trying to recreate it.

Material:
HA Bicycle F5293, sentiment CL272
Great Impressions #A90 (bird)
Flower soft
Small punch for the flower
Copic and glossy accent for the flower

6. Birthday card for my friend using the poppy stamp

I'd like to learn the emboss resist technique with this poppy stamp after seeing all the wonderful entries in the flickr group. Despite my effort, all attempts fail. I don't know why but I can't get crisp result as shown in Tami's card. After 5 trials I give up and try to make this one instead.
Material:
HA poppy cling stamp CG140
Colour with Copic markers

7. Another variation with the poppy stamp
This time I white emboss on top of the distress ink background (shabby shutter).
Then assemble on kraft and brown card stock with green ribbon. Done! Love how the brown and green goes together.

Material:
HA poppy cling stamp CG140
HA sentiments C4715

Dine out and Mothers' Day

This is a back log about Mothers' Day (I have to write it now before I forget).

Actually I didn't expect to celebrate Mothers' Day this year, as both my Mom and MIL were out of town. However, since Dine out Vancouver event was put off to this time of the year instead of the usual time (which is end of January) due to Winter Olympic, my SIL actually made a reservation on Mothers' Day weekend (Saturday), as a celebration of her pay increase this year. It's gonna be her treat. :)

Although I was sick but under the all-mighty anti-biotic, I still decided to head out to have dinner with my in-law family.

I haven't been Aqua River for long time. The first dinning experience years ago wasn't too pleasant. With so many choices in town I wasn't planning on re-visit until now.

To my surprise, it turns out to be a great dinner! Server is kind and dishes came out promptly. View is excellent (big window with Canada Place as backdrop). Food is huge portion and tastes good. OK...definitely back to my revisit list then! :)

Aqua River Dine out

Some picture taken @ Granville before.

Granville Island

Btw, I am so glad that my Mom as well my Dad like my design of the Mothers' Day card so much. My Dad got a big smile when he saw the card. And of course, they enjoy my gift as well. It's the Avater DVD (HK version). And the best thing is, it arrived on time (just a day before). I was expecting to arrive sooner but I guess I forget the public holiday in HK (May 1-Labour Day). So the postal service got delayed a bit.

Sick

Haven't been so sick for quite some time. So I'm not able to update my blog as often as I would like to. (Not that if anyone will actually read or care about...)

I guess, it started with my card making order. As some of you may know, card making is my latest obsession (oops I mean hobby). As a SLOW card maker, I often work on it till quite late. And to fulfill the card order, I was really working OT. During the last week of April, I wasn't really having enough sleep. But still, I was happy that I'm able to sell my card, so that I can at least cover a fraction of the cost, and also the fact that someone do like my card and is willing to pay for it.

Flu actually started on April 30, which on that day I'm going to my friend's birthday dinner. That day is so sunny and warm so I decided to dress up a bit. I picked a rather low cut dress and pair it with long boot. I also bought her a special cake but the cake is not ready by the time I got there. So I just walk around nearby shops for 15 minutes. And then, I was chilled by the cool breeze. I guess, together with lack of sleep that weaken my immune system, right away I felt something wrong. When I got back to the office, my whole body was ached (and I actually feel like an old lady that I can't even walk straight). And by dinner time, I knew that I had fever. My friends later asked me why I insist on not getting any alcohol drink. They thought I am pregnant...haha. Anyway, how can I drink with flu? After dinner, when I took my temperature, I was right, I was 101.6F and officially had a fever.

I did take a few tylenol and that usually worked. Not this time. On Saturday I was rushing to finish my last order so my sleeping time was pushed back to 3am. Bad choice I guess. On Monday I did head out to see the doctor and took a sick day.

Fever is gone after taking antibiotic. However, I am still coughing badly, even now, which is already 3 weeks...

Together with some bad symptom shown last weekend, I decided to head back to the doctor again...I don't want to pretend that I'm not worried, because I AM. I would just keep my finger crossed...

Because of the sickness, I skipped Sun Run this year...I feel sooooooo bad about this. And also I have to stop all exercising routine. :~~(

Not that I am not aware of, but I should emphasize again and again: health is just the most valuable thing money can't buy.