Creative Happy Tuesdays: Ideas and Inspiration

I'm still resting my arm from doing anny sewing. This has happened before and it took 3 months to feel better. I still have one cat project I haven't finished, but don't want to push so I could heal properly. I'm also vitamin D insufficient, so I'm working on that too. During downtime I try to write down ideas and inspiration. My thought process involves a lot things, here's what usually inspires me:

What My Friends Like 

I have a friend who said she likes Little Twin Stars. I bout fabric a year ago to make something for her. She said she's moving up North soon, so I'm trying to figure out what's best to make for her. She moves around a lot, so I'm thinking of making her a laptop bag. She'll get to use the bag all the time. Wanted to finish it before she moves, but I haven't started anything yet. I'll probably just ship the bag to her when I finish it. I hope it'll be pretty.

What I Want to Learn

Whenever I make something I try to make sure I learn a new skill or I enjoy making it. That's what I did with the cat project. I used Pinterest for inspiration and winged how to put things together. The project also forced me to use other materials to get the look I wanted. I've also been forcing myself to limit what I use with what I have since I collected materials while I was in Singapore. 

Pinterest and Books

I also get inspiration from the books and magazines I have. Most of it were gifts during my 40th birthday. I have finally put them together since some were in Singapore and a lot were here in Manila. Most of the books show the traditional side of quilting. The magazines though show more modern quilts. I normally end up doing my own thing and just use the medium for inspiration. 

What I Need 

I've unearthed some of the past projects I made. A wallet from high school which I actually used. A number of bags which I've also used a lot. The tablet case I made when I started quilting again in 2016 (I'm still using it). I made a few throw pillow cases since Mom made a number for me. Seeing old projects give me an opportunity to review and improve my technique. I have a notebook where I list stuff I need to make. 

Resting from sewing for now. It's good time for me to take stock of what I want to make when I feel better. Also gives me an opportunity to dust off my books sitting outside of my craft room. Maybe I'll also use the time to fix up the design wall so I could use it already. Yes, that's a good idea :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

True Inspiration For All Comes Once in a Lifetime

My mentor, Dr. Ned Roberto, gave me this advise many moons ago. He said to always have a "mentor" at every point in my life. The mentor you choose need not know that he is your mentor. You just need to observe and pick up skills/behaviors so you can learn. He also said you can have multiple mentors at one time. I followed his advise since then and I learned a lot through the years. 

And upon us is someone who is providing inspiration for all of us. She has been through a lot in the last decade. She lost her husband because of a tragedy. She's been ridiculed, insulted and trashed by politicos and trolls. She has admirably withstood all of it and is now fighting for all of us. We all naturally get angry, but her response has been "Mas radikal ang magmahal" and to focus on the goal. 

I was reading tweets until the wee hours of the morning. It's been heartening to  read about house-to-house campaign experiences, people providing free food and freebies during rallies. She has been bringing out the best in us. That is true inspiration and rare. The only other time I have seen our country come together was when Ninoy's death pushed people to overthrow the dictator. 

Of course, I am referring to VP Leni Robredo. She has become our inspiration and our hope for a better future. And today we show all our love for her because it is her birthday. Happy, happy birthday Madam VP. May God continue to bless you and protect you and your family. I pray every night for you and your team, so that we may win this fight. 

And yes, VP Leni is now one of my "mentors". :D

For everyone attending the #ArawNa10To People's Rally and Street Party, please take care and enjoy! 

P.S. Belated happy birthday Rocco!

Artwork by Robert Alejandro. He has graciously allowed anyone to use his Leni-Kiko artwork to be used by anyone.   

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

What If

I was ecstatic to see many friends pass the bar exam.  Wow! Most of them chose to become lawyers on top of their existing degrees and work experience. I truly admire them for doing that. It's really hard to work and study at the same time. I did that when I took my masters. A former manager (one of the VPs at G) asked me to pursue my doctorate. I promised her I would... it hasn't happened yet. Haha. I don't know if I have the energy to pursue a doctorate at this point. 

Today's OOTD is my Kulasa #kakampink shirt <3

If I followed what Daddy wanted, I would've been a lawyer. I took double degrees that's considered as pre-law. I disappointed my Dad and my professors because I didn't pursue it. I just felt it wasn't the right path for me. Maybe if I was allowed to run in the SK elections, maybe I would have taken a different path. Maybe I would have attained my dream to be mayor of my city. 

That's the what if, but I chose a different path and I don't regret it. I feel I was where I was supposed to be in the last 25 years. I also know I'm in the right place now. What I have experienced in the past two decades is unique and I'd like to believe I was able to help in my own little way. 

I don't like dwelling on what ifs because I believe in trusting the Lord to navigate your life. I gave up the struggle when I felt things weren't going the right way. Things righted when I lifted up everything to Him. I'm glad I did because I never second guessed whether I was doing the right thing. I always knew I was following His Will. 

Have a blessed Holy Wednesday everyone. 

#BeKind #StaySafe #VoteWisely

The Photo that Inspired Me

I rested the whole day yesterday. The boys told me I was on stricter house arrest after I had a severe asthma attack the other night. What caused it was the bad air quality. I took in a lungful while I was admiring the sky. I realized that the dirty air here is different from Singapore. In Singapore I could easily tell when the air quality is bad. I'm probably used to it here so I can't tell the difference. Anyway, I slept most of the day and feel better now. 

I'll still take it easy today so my body can recover fully. I think I'll work on the vinta throw pillow quilt. It was inspired by a photo of VP Leni when she visited Zamboanga recently. I was so stressed out last week with the news, I thought it would be better to channel my frustration to something else. The photo served as an inspiration. I set aside the tshirt quilt project to work on this first (yet again haha). 

Here's the design of the throw pillow quilt I'm working on -

Getting stressed over something I can't control was really bad for me. I got sick and this is what my doctors told me to avoid. Stress causes your immune system to be compromised and the blood test I got proved I had an infection. The first thing I had to do was de-stress. I got over it by channeling my frustration to something good. The photo of VP Leni with the vintas in the background inspired me to be creative. I think that's a good way to cope with stress. 

Seeing posts related to the elections is unavoidable. Much as I'd like to participate more, my body just can't cope with the stress. I'll just pray hard for a good and honest elections. I'm also praying for those still in the dark side to finally see the light. I'll let my able-bodied friends do the campaigning. And thanks to my friend Chelle who sent me some tarps! 

She also sent me this super cute milk tea earrings. You can get it from her Shopee shop at https://shopee.ph/chellebrate. I love the earrings and have been wearing it at home haha. 

#BeKind #StayHome

Go for Gold

I've been watching videos on YouTube on Hidilyn Diaz and she's inspiring me a lot. The Olympic gold medalist went through a lot of challenges before she won. She was stranded in Malaysia and had to train on her own. That meant she didn't have any proper equipment. A good samaritan Malaysian took her in and helped train her. I read he was the president of the weightlifting association (thank you sir!). One news video showed her using makeshift items for training. 

In Boy Abunda's interview with Hidilyn after she won a silver medal at the Rio Olympics, she said that the first thing she'd do every morning is pray. She shared also that through her challenges she felt that God became her best friend through prayer. She doesn't believe so much in luck, but she believes in hardwork and letting God do the rest. In her interview with ABS-CBN Teleradyo she reaffirmed this and said she surrendered everything to God during the competition. 

This gives me so much hope that things will be okay. I have been worried the past two weeks because of the new findings. This new challenge is something that I should just surrender to God's Will. At the same time I have to do what I can to avert disaster and make myself strong. This is the journey that I am on now and as Hidilyn Diaz keeps saying in her interviews, "Dream high, go for gold!" 

Thank you for the inspiration Hidilyn :)

PS I also discovered Hidilyn Diaz has a vlog! Go check it out.

Day 27 Gratitude Challenge, A gift you received. My favorite gift nowadays is my sewing machine which Sweetie gave me for Christmas. I've been learning how to use it properly the past few months. I think I'm getting the hang of it and I'm finally able to make straight stitches. I had been dilly-dallying about getting myself a sewing machine because I'm happy sewing by hand. I wanted to try using the sewing machine, but I wasn't sure I would commit to it. I dragged getting one for years, so Sweetie just got one for me haha. I'm so happy he did because I've been having pain in my hand and arm when I sew by hand too much. Getting the sewing machine forced me to learn new sewing skills too. Thank you Sweetie :D

CB///*Yr2/110 #StuckAtHomeDay/Yr2/133 #NewG336 #Home94 #StayHome #BeKind 

My Grown-up Christmas Wish

A year ago in Manila. 

Last night's Didache reflection spoke to me deeply. If you're going through challenges, you shouldn't dwell so much on the struggle, but you should be more focused on the future outcome. It was a good reminder for me and made staying offline more bearable. To get well and be able to do the things I still want to do, I have to follow doctor's orders. 

To help me stay offline I set limits on distracting apps so it won't send notifications. I also kept my phone under my pillow. Out of sight, out of mind! I did respond to a few messages, watched a few videos, but eventually I got busy with other things and the silence became comfortable. 

Through the silence and having my hands busy sewing, I was able to think through how I should proceed. I didn't sleep well last night because I was worrying about all the work I left hanging. Eventually the Peace & Calming oil helped me fall asleep. My sleep though was filled with several weird dreams. 

As I worked through my quilt project I was able to re-focus and remind myself that it's not my fault I've been sick. I need this time to rest and heal from what this terrible year has brought. There is still so much to be thankful for this year. My family has been coping well despite some challenges. We're all apart, but we're here for each other. My only wish is good health for everyone and hope we can see each other soon. 

How I wish I could be with you two this Christmas.

And my sole Christmas wish is for the whole world to heal together and defeat this pandemic as one big community. 

CB//255 #StuckAtHomeDay/285 #StayHome #BeKind

That Time I Gave Up, My Life Got Better

Many years ago I was a mess. I wasn't happy and was continuously getting disappointed with my choices. I was single for a long time already at that time and I was mulling whether I was meant for single blessedness. I already had Miggy and thought I could just go for my Phd. The funny thing is I gave myself a deadline.

I prayed for it. I told Papa God if I was meant to marry I should be in a relationship on or before September 30, 2007. If there wasn't anyone I'd enroll in graduate school and would just focus on that and Miggy. That was my plan and I had already accepted my fate. 

I was on my way home from San Francisco on September 26 and I was in the plane when I realized my deadline was coming up. I was really bent on following the deadline. I gave myself that expectation because I wanted to move forward. I made a desperate plea to Papa God and told him things were really not going well, this is how my plea went -

"Dear Papa God, it's a few days before my deadline. I messed up again. I've been making bad decisions and I give up. Can you please take over and navigate my life? If by the 30th I'm not in a relationship then I'd accept my fate and will dedicate my life to serving you."

Arrived in Manila early morning of September 28. I was badly jetlagged and ended up chatting with Sweetie in the evening. Our friendship deepened that year, we were best friends by that time. I had that strange wedding dream which involved Sweetie, but I never told him about it. I set it aside because our friendship was more precious for me. 

That night, around 1 in the morning Sweetie said he wanted to tell me something important. It took him almost an hour and a half before he was able to tell me he thought about being more than friends. 

And the rest is history. 

Like wow oh wow, that's how God wrote my love story. And that's how when I gave up, He took over and made my life better. 

CB//192 #StuckAtHomeDay/222 #WFH131 #StayHome #BeKind