[dakiedoodles]

Why do I love going to the J. Paul Getty Museum? First, it’s free. Second, the grounds, the architecture and the gardens are beautiful works of art in itself, last but not least, it houses the most impressive collections, including some fine pieces of art by Rembrandt and Van Gogh. If you’re around the area, it’s worth the visit!

[dakiedoodles]

How do we stay afloat during these hard times? I find that it’s important to develop a positive attitude. This is an unseen secret weapon that is rarely taught to us in school. If you think you have reached the worst point, be optimistic because things can only get better. Don’t be part of doom-and-gloom conversations on how bad things have become. Instead, focus on what you can do and contribute and be determined to make your situation better. #stayafloat #stayhome

[dakiedoodles]

Spent a few hours today working on a new piece I call, Skye (スカイ). It’s been months since I painted a detailed and full-page piece that I couldn’t finish in one sitting. Used my #kuretakegansaitambi watercolours which is perfect for achieving flat washes. The colours have that pastel-like feel but are still quite vibrant. #weekendpainting #illustorsofig #instadaily #instart #watercolor #flatwash #flow

[dakiedoodles]

Say YAAAAAS to DIY!

Like any couple, Ralph and I wanted a wedding that reflected our own style and personality. Knowing my OC-self, I like to show off my creativity in different ways and DIY projects were a perfect platform for me to express myself and give unique handmade touches to our ceremony. If you could imagine a child being brought to their favorite playground, that’s how I felt about the wedding. I went gaga over the many projects I can lay my hands on. 

PART 1: Invitations and Save the Dates

I already had a vision of what I wanted our invitations to look like. Ralph didn’t need much convincing. I guess he trusted me more when it came to the whole aesthetic we were going for. :-))

My taste has changed throughout the years as a designer. Lately, I’ve been loving clean but bold layouts where design revolves mainly on type and calligraphy. Print finishing is equally important to me and I have always admired the texture of letterpress prints, I’ve often seen may variations of paper, color and styles using this technique when I’m sourcing for vendor and suppliers at work. I always have letterpress in the back of my mind when I have a printed project to deliver clients. I knew beforehand that printing using letterpress is not going to be cheap (especially here in the US) so I had  to find ways how to do it at home. The easiest and most manageable approach was through my Sizzix Big Shot machine. I had originally purchased it to do embossing and die-cutting for a few projects. After creating the layout in Adobe Illustrator, I sent the digital file to a company called Boxcar Press to produce photopolymer plates for me. These plates will be used to press the design on the paper. For this DIY, I placed them  on acrylic sheets, then I rolled the ink on top of the plate. Then the plates are ran through the Sizzix with the paper sandwiched between the clear acrylics creating a printed impression onto the paper. Here’s a video showing my Sizzix in action, and me in my pajamas. (Come on, it was a Saturday!)

I love the feel and character of deckled edge paper, it’s those uneven pages you see on some hard bound books, have you noticed those before?  Well, I really love those! So, I decided to use it and I was lucky to find them at LCI paper, a trusted supplier of quality paper and cardstock that I use for Ohmydarling Paper Co projects. I was sooooo thrilled when I found out they carried the right colors we wanted! It was also the perfect thickness I needed to achieve a good impression/debossing. 

And as you can see, I used our guest bed as a temp drying space for the sheets hehehe.

To add more layers to our invite suite, I used white vellum as cover for all three pages (the main invite, the entourage page and RSVP/details page) and for our Save-the-Dates. I sealed the cover using a custom seal and wax with our initials from Back To Zero. To finish, I wrapped it with a marsala chiffon ribbon with raw edges to complement the other design elements.

I also used a stamp (made with photopolymer) to emboss a custom seal I designed onto the envelope flap. The design was our initials with the coordinates of our church and reception as a border. Yes, I pressed and stamped each one, sprinkled gold powder on top and then used a heat gun to melt and leave an embossed effect. I used the same technique when I had to reprint additional invitations. We are very happy how these turned out! What do you think? 

Watch out for Part 2 of our Wedding DIY Journey! <3

[dakiedoodles]

Spent a few days in beautiful Bohol! Too many things to see and do, we have to come back next time. #philippinebeaches #panglao #chocolatehills #tarsier #lobocriver #amoritaresort #paradise #islandlife #explorers (at Bohol Island Philippines) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz9YxtSBkzz/?igshid=w5tkgwztph5i

[dakiedoodles]

Floating wishes among the stars ✨ #moon #milkyway #skylantern #illustratorsofinstagram #instadaily #vectorillustration #textures (at Anaheim, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpYppQwBvDG/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15tahb0gc7h3x

[dakiedoodles]

A fun quick practice on #hahnemühle paper! #watercolor #kuretakegansaitambi #leaves #wreaths #floral #instart #instadaily #illustratorsofig

[dakiedoodles]

I love decorating with DIY artworks! Doing a bunch of geometric art for our very own home gallery! ❤️ #geometricart #watercolor #bluegold #gallerywalldecor #instart #instadaily #illustratorsofig

[dakiedoodles]

In the night, Otis walks with me and whispers to me old whiskers tales. #talkingwithotis #watercolor #prang #kuretake #illustratorsofig #moon #ariaandotis #cats #instadaily #instart #moonlight

[dakiedoodles]

Aria: Do you think there is only one person meant for each of us Otis: Meow. #talkingwithotis #watecolours #prang #dalerrowney #illustratorsofig #moon #ariaandotis #cats

[dakiedoodles]

We fit like a glove

Had I known that I would be married at 33, I would have spared myself from all the heartbreaks and emotional pain in the last 15 or so years. I guess it was a necessary learning curve that led me to where I am and who I am right now.

Ralph and I are not perfect people, but somehow we just fit like a glove. It’s true  that your partner shouldn’t fill in the gaps in your life, that he/she should complement you and not complete you. That’s who Ralph is for me, and before I met him I understood the importance of being a whole and complete person on my own.

I am so lucky to have found someone that can turn an absolute heartbreaking moment into a fit of laughter. Who considers me in every decision made, like tiles and colour the kitchen countertops would be. Someone who respects everything about me, my thoughts, dreams, opinions, the things I say, the friends I have and my career. Who dreams with me and makes my dreams his as well. Who feels secure in himself, and makes me feel secure too.

I know that no relationship is perfect either, and we’ll probably hit bumps along the way, but as long as I have this guy holding my hand and God in the center of our lives, we’ll get through it together.

[dakiedoodles]

[dakiedoodles]

I'm loving the textures of the Hahnemühle watercolour postcard size paper. It comes with a cute tin case too. The paper holds its shape even having been painted on several times. #hahnemühlefineart #watercolours #createeveryday #bringoutthebrushes

[dakiedoodles]

Finished a personalised tumbler gift for one of the leaving staff at work. Will definitely miss teasing her in the morning.

[dakiedoodles]

Siem Reap and what I have learned so far from traveling alone

I’ve been living in Singapore by myself for almost 5 years. Honestly, it’s not that difficult to get around and get used to here given that most people can understand and speak English. Compared to where I lived for 28 years, Singapore’s relatively safe, and that has its ups and downs. The upside is that you don’t have to worry too much about doing stuff and going around by yourself in the middle of the night, you don’t need to constantly look behind you, be scared out of your wits at the thought of someone grabbing, robbing or even slaughtering you in a dimly lit ‘eskinita’. But the downside is, if you get used to being in that bubble, being too safe can become too boring at times.

Uncertainty, leads to adventure.

Experiencing new things, going to strange places will test limits you may have never knew existed and traveling alone adds to the thrill of it all.

Alone in Siem Reap, going around in a tuk-tuk

There’s a certain joy in uncovering new destinations and experiences by yourself, it will definitely leave you infatuated. Here’s a trail behind Angkor Wat that leads to another temple ruin and a lake.

There is nothing more exciting than spontaneously going on a solo trip, because you know you’re going to be able to think your thoughts, listen to your music, read a few books for hours, and visit places you actually like to see without having to follow a group.

Tourists everywhere! 

Make friends too! 

Get a monk’s blessing inside Angkor Wat by offering a donation.

Try going solo for a few days. You don’t need to fly out of the country. You can start exploring nearby parks and take a cultural trip to an old town or province close to your city! There’s always something new waiting to be discovered.

[dakiedoodles]

Loots from Japan!!! Loving the Kuretake Gansai Tambi traditional solid watercolors!

[dakiedoodles]

Odile #penandink #braidsandtwists #illustratorsofig #floral #blackandwhite #instagood #instadaily #lineart #zigpens #linework #dailydrawing