p.s. - plitvice waterfalls

source: mpancha

How I wish to escape to a beautiful place like this! :)

Shout Out - DarriellesClayArt

Earlier this week, I was window shopping (a little longer than I originally planned :P) and came across this beautiful shop by clay artist Darrielle: DarriellesClayArt. I like the simplicity in her white pottery and the textured details in her colored creations.

Stop by her shop and check out her other lovely items!

Photos: Mini bowl with lovebirds and a lonantha Peach Air Plant, Lovebirds Hear Ring Holder, Set of two Cups

MDD Personalization: White Tiger Pillow

White Tiger Pillow personalized LITTLE TIGER

from V to his newborn nephew

Our friend's sister just had a baby boy, Landon, in April. Congrats for a safe delivery and a healthy baby! <3

Darling Moments: Golden Gate Bridge

Drove through the Golden Gate 3 times this weekend. :) An old photo and a bit grainy but I love how the bridge disappears into the foggy sky.

OFF Topic: Maker Faire

This past weekend, my mom came up to visit and we stopped by Maker Faire in San Mateo. :) I was amazed at the size of the event and all the wonderful creations that were on display. These are just a tiny glimpse of what we saw:

The rest of the weekend was filled with lots and lots of homemade food by my mom. <3 She always fattens us up everytime we see her. Hahaha, but I'm not complaining.

Shout Out - Celentano Woodworks

What?! You've never seen an apple shaped ukulele or a rocket shaped guitar? Look no further because I found an awesome Etsy shop, Celentano Woodworks, and they sell just that! These are seriously legit ukuleles and guitars... Watch this video of an electric version of the handmade instrument. Only if I knew how to play! Or even knew someone who knew how to play so I could gift it to them. :D What shaped instrument would you want to play? I'm curious to know what a penguin guitar would look like. ;)

Photos: Apple ukulele 4 string, Rock- IT ---one string guitar---, Avocado 3 string guitar

MDD Personalization: Apple Greeting Card

Apple Greeting Card

from T to her Aunt, a teacher

Darling Moments: Blue Velvet Cupcakes

Last month, I had this brilliant idea where since I had run out of red dye for red velvet cupcakes, I'd use blue dye and just call it blue velvet cupcakes. I even did an image search online thinking, "If it's been done before, then I can do it too!" I came across this pretty blue cupcake and went for it. Uhhh, brilliant idea? I think not! As I added the blue dye in the mixture, my cupcakes started turning greener and blacker... it was seriously like I took a sample from a swamp in those classic horror films. I proceeded to bake these cupcakes, hoping that somehow, miraculously, the cupcakes would turn the pretty blue color. Okay, maybe not the pretty blue but at least a dark blue? Wrong again! They came out black/green so I dressed it up with frosting and blue sprinkles. :P The only way Husband would eat it: blind folded! Lol, I think I'll hang my creative baking cap off to the side for a while...

Mini confused at the "blue" velvet cupcakes.

WHAT News

source: such pretty things

A late Monday hello. :)

A week without an update and today we had a citywide power outage since 8 in the morning until now. I didn't realize how much I depended on electricity with everything I do: blogging, cooking, sewing, cleaning, etc. I kept turning the light switch on and even thought of heating up food until I realized the buttons didn't work. :P

So Mondays usually meant the He Said She Said podcast but Brandon's been very busy with work. We've decided that we'll be putting it on hold until further notice. :( If you have suggestions on what you'd like to see on Mondays, let me know.

Hope you have a great week! :)

OFF Topic: Craft Day

This month has been turning out quite alright already! :) I kicked it off by inviting a few of my girlfriends, Courtney (from Project: Side Hustle), Diana and Jenny to a craft day get-together last Saturday. They brought me a box full of sweet baked goodies and the beautiful tulips you see above. We had a LOT of catching up to do since I hadn't seen them for years. Oh, those silly days. Hehe. I hadn't hung out with a group of ladies in so long, it made me realize I need to do this more often! What's better than a bunch of girls getting together working on craft projects as they chat and munch on sweets? ;) I wish I had taken photos of each of their projects but I completely forgot... so next time!

How cute is this toddler tee? :D Courtney designed and silkscreened this Floaties shirt and gave one to Baby! I can't wait to put it on our little one. (I should've ironed it before taking pictures but I was so eager to share :P) I'm sure she'll be making more and possibly be selling them (??) Haha, that's just my guess. ;) Hopefully, I'll remember to take photos at the next craft day meet!

Have a lovely weekend!! :D

Shout Out - JooJoo

I can't express how much I love every item in all three of Afsaneh's Etsy shops: joojoo, joojooland, and persiangarden. In her original shop, joojoo, she sells these lovely watercolor prints that are painted with the utmost delicate detail. Her joojooland shop is full of whimsical jewelry and the cutest clay creations. And she features her colorful digital illustrations in the persiangarden. In every one of her works, you can tell she puts so much time and effort into the little details that you can't help but stare at it for a while longer! :)

Also, check out her beautiful blog which she showcases all her new designs and in-progress projects! (Hehe, can you tell I'm a pretty big fan? :P)

Photos: Bird and Malus flower, Three little flowers earrings, Bunnies cake topper

MDD Personalization: Pineapple Penguin

Pineapple Penguin

from C to her boyfriend

Fan Moments: Penguin at Ocean Park

Last month, I received these two photos from R who took her penguin to Ocean Park in Hong Kong. (I checked out their website and it looks like a pretty cool park! Too bad it's an ocean away.) The first is of her penguin with a panda and the photo below is with a firefox! :D

A big thank you to R for sending these cute photos!!

My Darling Penguin Contest 2010 Winners

First of all, Brandon and I have to thank everyone who participated in entering and voting for the My Darling Penguin Contest! :D We seriously had the toughest time choosing which entries we liked most since every single one of them had GREAT qualities! So, since you guys took the time to enter, I'll be sending everyone a participation prize. Please email me your mailing addresses to have your prizes sent your way!

Before I go into the winners, I want to note that one of the contestants, Katy, had sent in a few more photos just to share which you can view over at My Dear Darling's Flickr page. I absolutely love this photo of Mike about to take a bite out of their paper penguin and this photo of Mike pointing out the view to the penguin! :D Thank you so much for sharing those extra pictures!

Here are the winners for the My Darling Penguin Contest 2010:

First Place Winners: Kaori and Tommy & Erin

Prize: Original Penguin Plush

Second Place Winner: Katy

Prize: Mini Penguin Plush

Third Place Winner: Seth

Prize: Let's Get Personalized Penguin T-shirt

Here is a link to all the entries for this contest.

If you missed out on the contest, not to worry! The Annual Fan Food Contest is coming soon so you can participate and possibly win prizes then! ;) Thank you!!