{Intimate Event} Tonjun & Gertrude

 Tonjun and Gertrude are Singapore-based lovebirds who wanted to celebrate their hearts' union back home. I was ecstatic when I received an email from the bride requesting my assistance in preparing a lovely crafts for their big day. As always, my hands instantly wanted to get busy the moment she shared her pretty ideas =)

  

 

Grazie Tonjun and Gertrude  for involving me in this fun wish board and monogram projects. More love and all the best to both of you! =)

{Intimate Event} Dondon & Cat

Cat and I spent a brief time working together at Sales and Marketing of the New World Makati City Manila Hotel. My good friends are good friends of hers too so when she asked my help to craft a fabric floral bouquet for her wedding in Boracay, how can I say no?! Yes! I’m up to the challenge – Koni reporting for duty!

Crafting these dainties was not a stroll in the park. It took me an entire week to design, manually die cut and sew the separate pieces together. All my exhaustion melted away when I saw Cat's smile =) Knowing that she appreciated what I created especially for her, made my excited heart skip a beat.

My gratitude to God for blessing my hands once again to craft what in my eyes are beautiful. Thank you Dondon and Cat for letting me share a piece of my heart to your special day. Congratulations!!! 

Photography: Rock Paper Scissors

Crazy Love November

Hi loves, how have you been? =) My apologies for the very long hiatus. My November is filled with sleepless nights and has been crazy - crazy with styling inquiries, fulfilling orders, crafting, wonderful surprises and new found craft friends. It's been an exhausting but wonderful month! Just  to share with you our hard work and labor of love, here they are!!!

Fabric-covered letters

Hand-painted wedding banners

Paper rosettes backdrop

Got to craft again. Love, love, love =)

{Intimate Event} Erick & Mags

 "It is at the edge of a petal that love awaits." William Carlos Williams

I find it amazing that a stem of flower can bind two souls, calm a wounded heart and turn a frown into a sweet smile. There is an infinite beauty beneath a bud that is starting to bloom and a lingering enchantment to its scent. These are the reasons why I think flowers are synonymous with love and affection.





I almost swooned the first time I saw giant paper flowers at the Green Wedding Shoes. I knew I had to make them - let them be a part of someone else's love story. It was through my godparent, Ninong Rex that I met Erick and Mags. They were open to embrace this exciting and lovely paper art. And so I made these flowers by hand. Each petal crafted with so much patience, love and joy. I had doubts in myself and was scared that this might turn into a disaster but with each flower I formed came sparks of hope. Knowing that the Lord is guiding my hands, I dreamt that the giant paper rose can be worthy of the beautiful bride that Mags' is.

Thank you Erick and Mags for your trust and letting me be a part of your celebration of life and love =)

Photography: John Jinky Sy

{Shop DIY} Hand-stamped Favor Bags



I always have been an eager Etsy buyer and wannabe seller. It's a great venue in finding creative people and unique crafts. I've been surfing every nook and cranny on the look out of unique handmade items and craft supplies that are not available in Manila. And my oh my, have I found a LOT!!! It's kinda weird that I save money to buy these when my friends would be busy shopping for clothes, bags and shoes. Well, I am an addict in need to be relieved of my craft obsession... (wink)

Etsy is my happy place but shopping is teeny tiny bit expensive because aside from the item cost, you need to pay for shipping which is heavy on the pocket. I recently had a eureka moment when I thought and decided to bring some crafts available here in the Philippines =)

Brides and grooms will definitely find a lot of handmade items in Etsy they can use and enjoy on their wedding - buntings, photo props, cake toppers, craft supplies, and the list goes on and on. Let me share to you today my hand-stamped paper pouches that are perfect as favors bags for candy buffets and dessert stations. Aren't they pretty? =)

Colors that are currently available are black, sepia and red. More designs and colors will be offered in my shop soon! 

{Shop DIY} What wood you say?

Giving your guests a memorable and exciting experience while celebrating with you in your intimate event is one of the best feeling ever! And how can you do that? By incorporating simple, clean and surprising details in your celebration. I believe that by rousing your guests' senses with personalized items that engage them, you share sweet love. Knowing that you took care even of the smallest detail, will make them feel extra special and will give them wonderful memories of your celebration of life and love =)

I am uber giddy to share a new product from Candidly Pretty, hand-stamped wooden utensils!!! 

Add whimsy to your wedding with these pretties =) Visit my shop here.

Of Yarns and Papers

Paulo Coelho truly captured my heart's sentiment, "And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." His book, The Alchemist, continuously speaks of how “It is the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting”. When I first read this book, it made me question what my quest in life is. What is it that I am passionate about - so passionate that I will pursue it until my hands are wrinkled and my hair all gray? What does my heart desire? Aside from building a loving family with Cuppycake and pursuing a corporate career which I excel at, what cause/work should I do that will make me proud and will bring joy to others? How can I glorify God? These questions have been in my mind for the longest time and answers did not come easy. It has troubled my nights and questioned my heart. Others may have discovered their passion in life earlier on. For singers, dancers, actors, artists, etc., realization of their deep passion for their talents may have dawned on them while they were still young and so they persevered to build their careers and enhance their crafts. But this is not true in my case.

It was during the preparation of our wedding that I rediscovered the joy in crafting and how wonderful it felt creating handmade things. From then on, I’ve been actively helping out friends in making personalized details for their weddings, bridal showers and parties. Knowing that they appreciate my labor of love feels like I’m floating on air while my soul dances with glee. And slowly it sank to me… Crafting is my passion! And I want to share it to those whose hearts are open to accept them.

My journey to pursue crafting was not light and easy but God has been great and keeps on inspiring me to move forward. There are obstacles along the way but He has never left my side. God is constantly whispering to me, “Go and chase your dream!” It is true that if we trust and remain faithful to Him, He will continuously bless us with opportunities. It is up to us whether or not we will seize and embrace them.

With much love and excitement, I’m very happy to share that my first ever client for 2013 confirmed!!! Thank you Dani and Paolo for trusting me and letting my labor of love be a part of your wedding. I am certain that God will use my hands as instruments to create beautiful things for you.

To my partner in crime, my quirky and beloved husband, Cuppycake, your creative direction, unending patience, and support you lovingly give me helped Candidly Pretty bloom =) Thank you so much!!!

Cheers to crafting! Cheers to life! Cheers to love!

{DIY Love} Library Card Save the Date

Brian and Angie are good friends of Mr. Cuppycake and mine, they are getting married this October 20! My craft zizters: Ella, Nian, Geli and I had been brainstorming with the bride for crafting handmade details in their reception. And it really has worked up our excitement. One day, as I was day dreaming of crafts and all things handmade, an idea struck me: I wanted to make a Library Card Save the Date inspired by this uber sweet couple =) 

All the materials you'll be needing for this project are easy to find. I bought my supplies at the nearest National Bookstore in my area (except for the old scrabble tiles which we have at home).

Materials: 

- coffee-stained library cards

- kraft envelopes

- Scrabble tiles

- Dymo label machine 

- Glue

- Scissors

Step 1: You have a couple of options here. You can either:
            - Write the couple's names and wedding date onto the library card by hand.
            - Use your PC and print.
            - Or if you have a working typewriter like this Remington model, type away, the old-school way!

Step 2: Using an all-purpose glue, adhere the Scrabble tiles onto the card. Use tiles to spell out other words such as: xoxo, hugs, kiss, amor, etc.

Step 3: Emboss "Save the Date" using a Dymo label machine. Cut to your desired length.
Yes, this is still distributed at bookstores! This nifty tool brings a lot of childhood memories. hahaha I wonder if the younger generation still knows what this handy-dandy machine can do?! What's your favorite Dymo memory? Let's hear it please =)

Step 4: Stick the label onto the kraft envelope.

There it is my bride friends, an affordable and unique Save the Date! I hope that this tutorial was helpful and inspired you to craft some love today =) Ciao!

{Intimate Event} Julia's Shabby Chic Dedication & Birthday Party

Intimate celebrations have a fluffy-cotton-candy-effect on me... I get extremely excited every time I am invited to attend celebrations meant for close family and friends. Small parties with a BIG heart, that’s how I see it.

When one of my closest buddies, Leah, asked me to be a god-mother to her bundle of joy, Julia Lauren, I was completely honored and happy. Leah requested my assistance in preparing for Julia’s Dedication and 1^st Birthday party. I was so thrilled of course! And to my delight, her theme was a personal favorite, shabby chic!

I was thrilled to be in charge of the dessert table! I decorated it with fabric-covered letters and hand-stitched mini buntings that were intricately made with LOVE =)

Raquel baked apple squares, a tasty recipe from her mommy =)

Leah entrusted me to work on the party favors. With the theme in mind, I came up with these pretty pastel-colored hankies.

She wanted to give cupcakes as tokens to Julia’s godparents. I’ve spent sleepless nights thinking of how to make these yummies even more special… Thanks to Google, I found cupcakes in a jar!!! My craft zizters and I collaborated on this scrumptious project. Geli baked red velvet bars with cream cheese frosting and Ella made handwritten tags. They had been so enthusiastic with working with me on this project! Together we came up with this. =) Isn’t it so delectable-looking! It really is a sweet treat! Merci beaucoup gurlz!!!

It took me more or less a hundred hours to conceptualize, source, collaborate, and make by hand these pretty little things. I’m a very tired girl with a very happy heart!

{all photos are from Hello Gelibee's lens}