OFF Topic

Product Review: Ikea Antonius Storage System


My home office has been needing some organizing... and that's an understatement. So this past weekend, the Mister and I went to Ikea to buy this baby. They work beautifully hidden in the closet. I'm not too sure how much weight the wire basket can hold versus the plastic baskets. But we shall see how sturdy they are from the loads of paper I've stuffed in one of the wire baskets. The assembly was easy and there are no flaws with the product design or functionality so far. Oh, but if you are considering to purchase this from Ikea, make sure all the parts are there. The first three packages in the pile were opened and some of the parts fell out. Shop smart. :)


I also bought this cute hippo and lion plush for my dog. :) He LOVES small, cheap toys! And his favorite color is pink so he doesn't give a hoot about the lion. It's all about the pink hippo. Lol! Note, this product is made for children.

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Panda Pillow


It's already the last Friday of the month! I cannot believe how time has been flying lately. I feel like we JUST welcomed in the New Year and now it's Spring. Maybe it's just part of growing old. :) This week was a pretty busy week with My Dear Darling and other design projects... and there's still a month more of this craziness. I'm hoping to launch the My Dear Darling website by May... Haha, don't go look at it now because it's quite boring. So much to look forward to! :D

Previous personalized pillows: 03.25.09, 03.23.09, 03.20.09, 03.06.09, 03.02.09, 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Monkey and Bunny Pillows




Enjoy some more personalized plush pillows! :D

Previous personalized pillows: 03.23.09, 03.20.09, 03.06.09, 03.02.09, 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

OFF Topic

Recipe: Spiced Braised Beef with Sweet Potatoes


My BFF gave me a subscription to Real Simple magazine last year as a house warming present. And let me tell you, I LOVE it! It has everything from tips on cleaning, cooking, organizing, anything home. So I finally got the chance to try one of the recipes in the mag and it was delish so I thought I'd share. It's not the typical type of meal I'd make so it was definitely a new experience for my husband's and my taste buds... I think it was the cumin, I've never used it before. :) But it was definitely good! Just click on the image and it'll take you straight to Real Simple's recipe.

WHAT News

Front Page: Apple Pillow


I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. :) I saw my apple pillow on the Front Page yesterday and fell in love with The Canary Dress by hollystalder. Check out other great items in her shop! :D

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized White Kitty Pillow



Here's a cute white cat pillow I created for a special buyer. :)

Previous personalized pillows: 03.20.09, 03.06.09, 03.02.09, 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Panda Pillows


Happy Free Greeting Card Friday! :D

Previous personalized pillows: 03.06.09, 03.02.09, 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

WHAT News

Amy Fleisher Art Doll Series Part III




The final penguin plush of the series: the Frankenstein penguin. I had a lot of fun making the trio. Thank you, Amy! :D

Part I, Part II

Shout Out - Revisited soopajdelux

little blue dot SOLD

I was ecstatic when the doorbell rang and the Postman was standing there with a huge package. It was the print by soopajdelux. In my Shout Out post, some of you helped me choose which print I should go with. Since number two got the most votes, I decided to go with little blue dot. And boy am I happy! :D Although, I'm sure I would've been happy with any of her works. I haven't decided where to hang the beautiful thing because I want it where I can see it all the time. I'm hoping one day I can save up enough to buy an original!

NOTE: I do realize that I haven't done a new Shout Out in a while. I was waiting for the last seller but it seems as though she's a bit busy... which is GOOD. :) So, I'll start the new chain soon! Or maybe you can help me by letting me know what you've bought and LOVED from a fave seller. :D

WHAT News

Amy Fleisher Art Doll Series Part II



Above is the Dracula penguin digital illustration done by Ms. Fleisher and the plush art created by me. :D He's a little bigger than Pinocchio since Pinocchio is a little boy. Hehe, so cute!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was full of chillin' with the Mister which I hadn't done for the past couple months and loved it! What did you do?

Part I post

WHAT News

Amy Fleisher Art Doll Series Part I


Last week, I blogged about a custom order that I was excited to share with you and today, I will share Part I of the series. Ms. Fleisher came to me with a digital drawing of her original character that combined the Penguin Books Publishing Company's mascot and the famous fairy tale character, Pinocchio. She asked if I can create a plush doll of her character and I was ecstatic! Honestly, I was super grateful that this opportunity landed on my lap (thanks to B), but also a bit worried whether or not I'd get it done on time or how the final product would actually look. But, my husband helped me concept the Pinocchio penguin in 3D to get a better idea of what he'd look like and a month later, this plush art doll was created! :D He stands on his own, weighs a bit and uber cute! What do you think?

Check out her website at www.amyfleisher.com while you wait for the reveal of the rest of her characters!

NOTE: My laptop is working wonderfully! Thank you for all your advice and stories. :)

OFF Topic

Lesson Learned


Last night, I was feeling a bit frazzled, to say the least. I decided to take a small break, drink some water to keep me hydrated and check out the latest blogs I've been following. When I was clicking on "POST COMMENT" on a couple blogs, nothing happened. For some reason it wasn't letting me even say "hello". So I was moving my arm from my mouse to my laptop keyboard and BANG! I knocked over my glass of water right onto my laptop. :'( I'm waiting for it to dry completely to see if my baby's still alive. So for those of you who think, "Oh, I'll just be careful not to spill" don't risk it. (Although, I feel like I'm the only lame one who actually spills something on their laptop.) And back up your files! :) Ya never know when something's gonna happen.

In any case, I'm glad the Mister has a laptop... I can still do my dailies. :) I found this amazing print by emmaklingbeil while browsing through Etsy to depict what I was feeling yesterday. But her artworks are so cute and fun, it put a smile on my face... and made me want to buy a few of her works! Go check out the rest of her items. I also love the My Silver Lining print! :D

Photo: Unruly Hair

WHAT News

Front Page: Apple Pillow


Just as Ms. Devi from glasfaden predicted on last Sunday's post, my apple pillow made it to the front page of Etsy yesterday! :D Thank you to theseawithin for choosing my pillow and thank you to everyone who informed me!

WHAT News

Character Backpack


As promised from last week, here's one of the projects I was working on for a friend: a cute character backpack. I had so much fun watching this backpack take form. I was going to upload a picture of someone wearing it so you can get a better idea, but I couldn't hunt a model down to shoot (photo, hehe, not the violent kind). :)

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Penguin Plush





Today, I present to you, Bunnie and Bubbie! I made these penguins disguised as a bunny and a bear for my good friend and her boyfriend. She's been waiting since I came out with my first penguin to see what other new items I launch. She would hint at me to make a bear plush doll but instead I made her penguins in a bear & bunny costume... And she loves them! :D It's weird saying this when I'm the one who made it, but I want one! Lol. They're so cute! Thank you S & V!

Other personalized penguins: Cow Costume, Monster Costume, Lollipop Girl & Tool Belt Boy, Princess Cloak, Scarf & Bow, Scarf & Earmuffs, Sorority, Baseball Cap

WHAT News

My Dear Darling's Apple Pillow on Etsy's Handmade Blog


I woke up today and checked my mail, the same ol' daily routine. I always read through Etsy's newsletters to see new items I haven't been exposed to yet and today's email was of Etsy Finds Decor. I saw the vintage telephone and was excited because it looked like it was going to be a pretty good collection. So I scrolled down and... "OH! MY! GAH!!!! MY APPLE PILLOW!!!" I was in utter disbelief. My jaw dropped and I wanted to click but my body froze up. After calming myself, I clicked through to Etsy's Handmade Blog and my apple pillow was there too! :D My husband and I couldn't be any happier... okay, maybe I'm a little more happier than him. :P Thank you so much for your support and thank you Christine for finding my apple!

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Panda Pillows



The two pictures above are some cute ideas that a couple of my special buyers came up with. The first pillow says "Ni Hao" in Chinese which translates to "Hello". The second pillow has a Mac Apple logo that was turned into a heart. :D So cute!

Yesterday, I finished a couple custom orders non-My Dear Darling related. One of them took about a month to create and I'm so excited for my client to receive it. And the other I'll be sending out today. I hope they both love it as much as I loved working on the projects. :D I'll be posting pictures up once they receive it... because it's only fair that they see it first, right? ;) *excited* Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Previous personalized pillows: 03.02.09, 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

REMINDER: Today is Free Greeting Card Friday! :D

WHAT News

Treasury


My penguin plush and LOVE panda pillow made it in the same treasury! :D Check out the other cute items... My fave is the Pentapus. It's so cute!

OFF Topic

Hinamatsuri - Japanese Girls' Day


I wanted to share these cute glass chopstick holders that my mom got my husband and me from her recent trip to Japan. The details of the flowers and the crowns are so tiny and made with perfection. They portray the Emperor and Empress during the Heian period which is commonly celebrated as Hinamatsuri. Today happens to be Girls' Day in Japan where people display platforms of Hina ningyo (ornamental dolls) representing the Emperor, Empress and their pupils. Although I don't have the ridiculously expensive dolls to display; Hopefully, in place of the platforms, I'll remember to use these tonight for dinner. :P

Other OFF Topic articles: click here

My Dear Darling Personalization

Personalized Panda Pillow


I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend. There's lots to get done this week and can't wait to share the finished personalized products. Happy Monday! :D

Other pillows PERSONALIZED for YOU: 02.16.09, 01.26.09, 01.05.09, 12.26.08

NOTE: Be sure to check out the Promo of the Month for March!