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

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 · Travel

New crafty projects + a musical Tokyo flashback

Last week, I finished a triangular shawl of candy apple red merino wool that was such fun to make. The shawl follows a highly-textured, classic fan pattern that worked up fairly quickly with a 4.5mm hook. It's soft, squishy, and the color is no end of cheerful. My timing on this one couldn't be better.… Continue reading New crafty projects + a musical Tokyo flashback

My Makes

Holiday visitor – new cockatiel amigurumi

Just finished a new friend to add to my crochet menagerie - a life-sized cockatiel (nymphicus holandicus). This little plushie has captured my heart so will be here to stay for awhile. He's made from a brilliant pattern by Tanya at TNGifts, who I now refer to as the amigurumi bird lady 🙂 She is… Continue reading Holiday visitor – new cockatiel amigurumi