My Makes

Balloon dog + a peek at Rembrandt etchings

Balloon animals are purely delightful! They evoke memories of amusement parks and celebrations from childhood. Here's an amigurumi dog version that's hot off my hook, from a wonderful pattern by Knotmonster. I had so much fun making this figure that I'll certainly do a few more in the coming weeks. Sometimes frivolous, simple pleasures are in… Continue reading Balloon dog + a peek at Rembrandt etchings

Bloganuary · My Makes · Treasures

Merry Christmas! Crafty update and other news

It's so good to be in touch with you again after my hiatus. I'm excited to share my Dad's Christmas ornament for this year - again, he has outdone himself with his creativity and a charming motif. Every year, Dad settles on his idea after some brainstorming with my mom, and sometimes, her idea becomes reality -… Continue reading Merry Christmas! Crafty update and other news

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Autumn amigurumi: pumpkins and goldfish purse; a spot of nature

"If I were a bird, I would fly about the Earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot Happy Halloween, my friends! I love this time of year, as not only is the weather cooler and more conducive to hunkering down with crafts - we're also on the cusp of some of my favorite holidays,… Continue reading Autumn amigurumi: pumpkins and goldfish purse; a spot of nature

My Neighborhood

Nammeji Lake sculpture festival is back

The bright, temperate days of Korean Autumn are upon us, and I take every spare moment to be outside enjoying my favorite month of the year. This past weekend, we took a leisurely walk around Nammeji Lake, just west of campus, where the annual sculpture festival is in progress, through October 29. I'm a huge… Continue reading Nammeji Lake sculpture festival is back

Expat in Korea · My Makes

DIY perfume making + Hangeul Day

Today is Hangeul Day, a national holiday in Korea, which has given me a joyous three-day weekend to catch up on work, play, and cooking. Hangeul Day (한글날) is observed on October 9th each year, and commemorates the invention of the Korean alphabet in 1446. King Sejong the Great, who was the fourth monarch of the Joseon… Continue reading DIY perfume making + Hangeul Day

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Red fig preserves recipe + random craft doings

I'm so glad to be back with you to share a few of my late Summer/early Autumn pleasures. It's been more than a month since my last post, and time just slipped by with my duties at work and the quotidian routine. This long weekend, South Korea is celebrating the Chuseok holiday, so I have… Continue reading Red fig preserves recipe + random craft doings

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Summers Past Farms visit + New Embroidery

Mom, my oldest niece, and I drove to Flinn Springs yesterday to visit Summers Past Farms, a welcoming, peaceful plant nursery and rambling herb garden off Olde Highway 80. There is also a delightful shop on the property that's housed in a 3,500 square foot barn, built by the owners, Sheryl and Marshall Lozier. Summers… Continue reading Summers Past Farms visit + New Embroidery

My Makes · Travel

Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

Last week, I spent a wonderful morning with my mom and nieces at the world-renowned Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (locally known as just the Birch Aquarium). It's situated in a spectacular location in La Jolla, on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I feel so fortunate that I grew up with this… Continue reading Birch Aquarium visit + craft photo dump

My Makes · My Neighborhood

Alpaca farm visit + crafty catch-up

I've temporarily changed country since last time I wrote. For the next month, I'll be visiting my folks in California, helping out a bit around the house (cooking, gardening and such), doing a little prep for my upcoming semester, enjoying some fun local sights, and, of course, crafting. On Monday, Mom and I visited Barbara… Continue reading Alpaca farm visit + crafty catch-up