Handmade Gift Exchange

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Elisa Choi

I joined the Handmade Gift Exchange for June 2012 hosted by the lovely Linda Gardner. I was assigned a Craftee (person who will receive my handmade gift) who is from Germany named Friesenliese. I learned from her website that she’s a crafty person. She loves to sew, knit, read and many more. I was a bit pressured since I don’t know how to sew or knit or even worse make things. How I wish I can make jewelries or knit some hats!

But I am a painter. And the only thing I know how is to paint something.

She loves to read and so I painted 3 bookmarks that suits her personality.

Bookmark #1 (back and front)

Bookmark #2 (back and front)

Bookmark #3 (back and front)

Then I painted the cover of a notebook that she can use to record her days and inspiration.

(Back and front)

I inserted a lovely (now dried) leaf and a Philippine stamp inside the notebook. I wrote a simple letter for her. I really hope that she will like the simple handmade gift created with much love. I had so much fun creating my mixed media pieces!

Off to the mail!

And next time I will be engaging myself into a bit of craft making like trying my hands on making friendship bracelet for instance. I’ll be joining the next handmade exchange on November. You can check out what the other Crafters have created here. Oooh, wonderful indeed!

Thank you very much Linda for organizing such a wonderful handmade exchange party! It totally challenged me and more than that I enjoyed creating something for another person. I am excited to receive my gift soon! :]

Have a lovely weekend folks!

Paint Party Friday!

Portrait #2: Brandon

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Elisa Choi

I draw Brandon for two days. The first day was his adorable face and sweater. The second day is the shading part. And today I just added a bit of color on his sweater.

I love to draw people but I never get pass to drawing realistic ones until the moment that I realize I needed to create a project for myself. A way of motivation. Creating a habit. And so I am learning how to draw portraits. Hopefully I get to draw the style that I am comfortable with as soon as I get the basics right.

I just had a thought.

We Artists are very courageous beings. We are vulnerable and God knows what stuffs we had to go through to make our dreams a reality. And yet we still keep going. We have to endure the toughest remarks about our beautiful work of art. We have to listen and respect someone else’s opinions about Artists. But we don’t allow it to destroy our soul. No, we don’t give them the permission to bring us down. We only listen. We learn. We pick up the broken pieces. We move on with our brushes and crafts anyway.

We are all created by God to do something special on earth. There is no such thing as small or big things. In His eyes we are all equal and we do things to please Him not other people.

I am thankful to be an Artist. And I hope to create inspiring works to glorify Him.

May you all Artists have an inspiring and blessed weekend!

Paint Party Friday rocks!

Painting Day 33: What Matters is the Journey

Posted on June 14, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Another week is about to end. Days fly by swiftly. It’s already half of the year!
How are your goals, dreams and aspirations?
Have you been doing what God wants you to do?
Have you been doing your life’s work?
Have you been using your time wisely?
Have you been living each moment as if it is your first?
Have you been expressing your love to your loved ones? How about the unloved?
Have you been taking care of yourself?
Have you been taking small risk and living out of your comfort zones?
Have you been listening to the voice in your heart?
Have you been spending some time alone in solitude?
Have you been thankful for all the little things?

***

“Our life is a constant journey, from birth to death. The landscape changes, the people change, our needs change, but the train keeps moving. Life is the train, not the station.” – Paulo Coelho

Paint Party Friday

My First Day of Life

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Elisa Choi

Today. My first day of life.
I am officially back to school. Officially a student.
And as my mom puts it I am going to study what I want now.
And I know that it’s been the thing that I want. Ever since I think.
And today as I sit and listen to the teacher at the lecture room I couldn’t help but feel the jitters of being a student.
Reciting at class suddenly seems exciting. Sharing my knowledge on the color theory. Sharing what I do. I know it’s not much.

But I feel happy.

I have been waiting for this all my life.
To finally have the courage to step up, out and above for my dream.
My courageous self took that HUGE risky step last May.
Bracing the unknown. Knowing that the challenges are yet to come. Yet still keep on walking.
Because I know. I know that this dream is not just my dream. I didn’t dream this. If I did it won’t be like this. I might still be there. Trapped. Uncertain. Unmoved.

But this is God’s dream for me. He calls me for this. My life’s work. And God knows how emotional I am for this whole calling. It’s hard. It’s very difficult to follow what He wants me to do. Others think that this is not for me. I’m called to quit. And I did. But I returned. More determined this time.

With His help. Always.

“He told them, “Because of your lack of faith. I tell you with certainty, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Portrait 1: Baby Cameo

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Elisa Choi

What better way to motivate myself and use time wisely than creating a series of projects that I can work on for a month and beyond? The other purpose is to refine my skills and develop a good habit of creating something often.

Whenever I need to learn how to draw something I would go to Drawspace. This website is special to me because that’s where God reminds me of my dream while I was mindlessly surfing. That was the starting point when I bought my first sketchbook and pencils and get back to arts.

The above portrait took me 2 days to draw and polish. I admit that it’s quite stressful and I even sweat a bit because it requires a great amount of concentration and lots and lots of patience. It might look daunting to some trying to draw a realistic human being. But seriously I believe that everyone can draw.

The only thing that stops a lot of people from pursuing their dreams in whatever areas of interest in their lives is the lack of commitment to finish something that has been started. It might be fear that is stopping us. Sometimes we might feel that this is too difficult and we move on to another. That’s not a bad thing. But knowing first our goals and dreams we should work hard and persevere to thrive. The result may not be beautiful at first. A lot of mistakes is what we will be making. But the most important thing is to keep going.

Inspirational Thoughts

Posted on June 10, 2012 by Elisa Choi

I need to create something today. I start with a red colored curve then it turns into this colorful thread-like patched pod that I don’t have any idea what it is called. I love the spontaneity of my mind sometimes.

The air of inspiration is around me today. Some thoughts:

1. We only learn more by experiencing life. I realize that I feel the richness of life more when I step outside. When I join a class and meet people. When I bond with myself. When I converse with friendly strangers.

2. We are created to do something significant. One of my teacher today at driving says that he is a jack of all trades but masters of none. And I thought that was pretty cool. That he gets to explore and try things and be independent. But then again I thought that it’s part of God’s greater purpose for him. Just like I have God’s greater purpose for me.

3. Inspiration is everywhere. Who says that we have to wait for inspiration? Everywhere is an inspiration. I am inspired by one of my driving teacher today for his zestfulness in teaching and in life. He brings out the best in me.

4. Each new day is an opportunity to ask God what He wants YOU to do. Instead of regretting that I am not able to use my time wisely yesterday I look forward to the next bright day to listen to His will for me. To start on clean slate. To commit on my life’s work. To simply be.

I hope you have a blessed week ahead!

Do what you love. Love what you do.

Monthly Archives: June 2012