My Cat, My Crafts, My Life

Hey hey!

It seems like I’ve finally found my Happy Planner and Life Lately rhythm again because this is my second consecutive week of keeping up with it. Fingers crossed it continues! Though honestly, I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t.

This week’s spread is decorated with stickers from The Happy Planner’s Gardening Sticker Book. Why this one? Well… firstly, because it’s one of those sticker books I rarely reach for. It’s definitely more suited for people who actually garden regularly. But lately, I’ve been thinking about getting a few more plants and finally repotting the ones I already have, so maybe this spread will be the little push I need. Or not. hahahah

I added sentiments like “Keep Going and Growing” and “Be the Sunshine,” then finished the borders with one of the floral washi tapes my mom gifted me two Christmases ago. After I finished the spread, I thought, despite not being the biggest fan of this sticker book, I actually really love how this spread turned out.

Life Lately

We actually had such a fun week (and weekend)!

I was feeling a bit under the weather before the weekend. Maybe it was because I had just started taking my medications and a new vitamin… or maybe it was because the changing weather triggering my asthma. Either way, I wasn’t feeling my best.

The week started with a video call with my KKK friends while we crafted together, which always makes creative time so much more enjoyable with laughter and chika.

Our family is finally back from their extended vacation in Manila, and all the pasalubongs for my friends have officially been shipped! Huge thank you to my sister, Bea, for making that happen.

I promised myself an Indonesia trip blog last week and I haven't done that, obviously. hehe. But i also promised myself a Lucky post and that I was able to make. Apart from just an annual photo blog, I was actually even to make a blog post of Lucky's story! Small win here! Check out my blog post here.

One of our little wins this week? For the first time in years, we actually managed to score limited edition Starbucks merchandise here in Al Khobar!

When I first moved to Saudi, I remember hunting everywhere for the pink Starbucks x Stanley tumbler. We searched in both Al Ahsa and Al Khobar, but everything had sold out on release day. The exact same thing happened with the Pink Bearista Cup.

This time, though, luck was finally on our side! We were able to get the Snoopy x Starbucks Happy Dance Stainless Steel Tumbler and the Great Pumpkin Canvas Mini Tote Bag. The rest of the collection wasn’t available here, but I heard that the Snoopy cup will be arriving soon. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to grab that one too!

And since they didn't sell the snoopy plush charm here, the very next day I made a little Kindli Fuse Beads Snoopy bag charm to match my new tote. Hehe.

Thursday wasn’t nearly as exciting because I spent most of the day sick with a bad flu and asthma. Ton ended up getting takeout since I was basically useless all day. I still managed to do a few light chores, but that was about it.

By Friday, I was already feeling a little better.

Ton made breakfast for us and declared that we’d just order dinner, so pizza it was! We had dinner while watching in the living room - I like it!

More importantly… Christmas officially arrived in our home!

As promised last week, I finally brought all the Christmas decorations out, and I think I’m almost done decorating our living room.

11yo Ton and Ana Christmas stockings from Tita Jun. Lucky's came in maybe 2 years ago, from Beshie Tanya

DIY Christmas tree cluster, a Cricut MEA project years ago

Our first Christmas tree here in KSA! It's super small! Haha. Potpourri glass from Tita Cesyl

Christmas throw pillow cases from Kaye

Polkadoodles project from 2 years ago

Project from years ago too!

Kitchen towel from Kaye

I promise I won’t buy any more Christmas decorations. Well, maybe just another fairy light.

And maybe another Christmas light. Hehe.

While unpacking everything, I also discovered that we already had Christmas ornaments for 2024 and 2025! I had completely forgotten buying them, so it felt like opening little presents from my past self. Plus, it saved me from looking for those years online!

And because of this, I was finally able to unbox my new Liene Pearl N200 Pro photo printer and print photos to put inside the ornaments.

The rest of the weekend was wonderfully cozy.

We binge-watched Money Heist and practically lived in our living room. We absolutely love our ridiculously soft carpet!

I also managed to start and finish my Indonesia traveler’s notebook junk journal, which ended up being a two-birds-one-stone kind of project since I also used Traci Reed Designs’ Equinox Collection for an upcoming assignment.

Here’s a little sneak peek of the very first page… complete with a hilarious blooper.

Instead of Jakarta, I stamped Jakakarta.

I only noticed after I had already submitted my photos to Traci… and even later when I shared them in our family group chat. Oh well.

Journals are supposed to tell genuine stories, right? Apparently mine also documents spelling mistakes. Hehe.

Sharing my Indonesia stamp punch junk journal spread too:

Speaking of routines returning, Starbacs at home is officially open again! Hehe! remember, I named our coffee corner Starbacs! hehe.

DIY Caramel Macchiato and Caramel Latte

We’ve been buying drinks outside quite often lately, and it's really kinda pricey. So as much as possible, I’ll be making my own drinks again.

Buuuut we have an exception! hehehe! Tim Hortons whenever SAB has their Buy 1 Take 1 promo!

Last week we got two drinks for only 24 SAR (around ₱360), and I super love their Ube Creamy Latte. Ton knew how much I liked it, so one day after work he surprised me by bringing another one home for me.

We also did our weekend grocery run and finally got to use the wagon Amazon accidentally sent us.

Looks like it’s officially been promoted to grocery wagon now. It made carrying everything so much easier! And of course, Lucky's wagon come winter for our winter walks!

Tamagotchi Update

Last night, my Angelgotchi gave me a little heartbreak.

I looked over and noticed my little angel was just standing still. Then, all of a sudden, it disappeared and the screen changed into sparkling stars.

After a quick Google search, I learned that my angel had reached the end of its life cycle after receiving good care and had ascended back to heaven.

Ugh.

I haven’t started a new one yet because they only stay with me until they’re about eight years old before they leave. Maybe next time I’ll keep a little list of all the angels I’ve cared for.

For now…

Mochi Angel #1a & #1b
September 10 - September 20

Fly high, little angels.

Creative Corner

I didn’t make a lot of projects this week, but here’s what I’ve been working on.

Traci Reed Designs

I created another journal similar to the one I made for the Golden Days IG Hop, but this one was for my solo blog feature this month. You can check it out on Traci's blog!

Tutorial: Create Your Own Golden Days Bound Journal

I also finished my Indonesia TN pages, but since they’ll be published this week, all I can share for now is the first page… and my “Jakakarta” blooper.

Polkadoodles

I spent some time coloring several digi stamps for projects I’ll be submitting before the end of the month. I wanted to create a few more Digi Choosday projects instead of only using the cards I had already made for the new release.

I think I’m still in that little post-vacation adjustment phase where I’m trying to get my crafting mojo back. Even though I have been creating, I’ve mostly been doing it from the living room instead of my craft room. Because, TV. hehe.

I also finally opened my Ohuhu Jade Summer Kit.

I had originally planned to make a Bee Happy video with it, but I completely missed the deadline and the quarterly tally had already been released.

Still, I’m really proud of the coloring page I finished. I think I have Polkadoodles to thank for helping me improve.

Coloring my own digi stamps has become such good practice that I can really see the difference now. Compare my current Ohuhu Jade Summer coloring page (it’s not quite finished yet because I still want to add sparkle with my Ohuhu Glitter Pens!) to the Love Cynthia page I colored during our flight to Seattle last year.

The improvement in my color blending makes me so happy. Yay for little creative wins.

Bee Happy

My Distress Spritz Quicklies reel was finally published! I still haven't shared the project photos yet because I recently received a couple of new Distress Spritz colors in my Bee Happy Ambassador kit. I want to swatch the new colors first so I can retake the photos and include the updated color collection.

Watch the reel here.

For Mental Health Weeklies, I finally shared my 12 Pieces of Peace Artist Trading Cards. I made these before our Indonesia trip and quietly left them in different places around Jakarta, hoping they would brighten someone's day or bring a little comfort to whoever found them. I still smile whenever I think about those little acts of kindness finding their way to strangers.

I also shared my Bee Happy eco bag makeover, where I repurposed the tote into a handy pen case. I love giving items a second life, and this project was such a fun way to do just that.

And of course, I had my very first adventure with Kindli Fuse Beads! I made a whole Sailor Moon collection, and I honestly had so much fun making them that I already know there will be many more fuse bead projects to come.

And now…

Here’s this week’s menu!

That's it for now! See you all again next week!